Local permits & fees

Winnebago County, WI Food Facility Permits & Fees

Restaurants and food trucks.

Winnebago County Public Health, Environmental Health Division (DATCP agent) · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Confirm the authority for your exact address. Some cities run their own health division, and building, planning, fire, sewer/grease and business-license approvals are separate even when Winnebago County Public Health, Environmental Health Division (DATCP agent) issues the health permit.

About 377 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 171,735. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)

Last verified: 2026-08-17 — we re-confirmed the serving authority, its contact, and that the fees below match the current published schedule. Fee schedules may carry an earlier effective date (shown per fee); local ordinances & amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date? Report an update →

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Retail Food Establishment License (restaurant)

Winnebago County acts as a DATCP agent and licenses restaurants/retail food establishments under Wis
Admin
Code ATCP 75 (categorized simple / moderate / complex by point value)
the county'
s combined annual license fee amounts are not published on its website (application says '
submit required application and fees'
)

Establishments assigned to simple (<=2.5 pts), moderate (>2.5-4.5 pts) or complex (>=4.5 pts) categories; prepackaged-only establishments have separate fees (ATCP 75 Table B); Licensing year runs July 1; June 30. Cities of Appleton and Menasha are licensed separately

Plan review — required

plan review required for new construction/remodeling (Construction/Remodeling Checklist provided)
fee amount not published on county site

Reach the department

Phone(920) 232-3000

Office112 Otter Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901

Websitewww.winnebagocountywi.gov →

Inspection grading

Routine inspection — no public letter grade

Wisconsin DATCP/agent local health departments inspect under the Wisconsin Food Code (priority/core violations); no letter grade or score. Reports online via DATCP's inspection portal.

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Retail Food Establishment License

mobile/base licensing under ATCP 75
specific annual fee not published on county site

Mobile operations require a service base/commissary; Transient (temporary) mobile vending fees ARE published; see notable and category file

How to apply

Forms & applications →

Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.

Local food-service market

About 377 food & drinking establishments serve ~171,735 residents in Winnebago County — one per ~456 residents, sparser than the Wisconsin average (one per ~430).

U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).

Watch out for

Published 2025/2026 Transient Retail Food Establishment (temporary) fees: for-profit TCS $209.00; for-profit non-TCS/prepackaged $119.00; non-profit (>3 days) $112.00; 1-3 days non-profit = no permit needed ($0.00); internal-use temporary inspection fee $60.00
Authority: Wis; Stats; 97.30 & 254.61, ATCP 75, Winnebago County Ordinance 11.11; county is a DATCP agent
Annual (restaurant) license fee amounts are not posted online; only temporary/transient fees are published

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Temporary / seasonal event	$209.00 (for-profit, TCS)	2025/2026 Transient Retail Food Establishment fees: for-profit TCS (hot/cold food) $209.00; for-profit non-TCS/prepackaged $119.00; non-profit operating >3 days $112.00; non-profit 1-3 days = no permit needed ($0.00); internal-use temporary inspection fee $60.00. Licensing year July 1; June 30
Pushcart / mobile vending	mobile retail food establishment licensed under ATCP 75 (requires a service base); annual fee not published on county site	Transient/temporary mobile vending uses the Transient Retail fees above

Equipment your Winnebago County plan review will check

Health-department plan review looks for specific, code-compliant fixtures. Compare spec-filtered options, then confirm counts and sizes with your local requirements. See the full list in what equipment a commercial kitchen requires.

Compartment sinks

3-bay wash / rinse / sanitize — sized to your menu

Hand sinks

required in prep, cook & warewashing areas

Grease traps / interceptors

sized by drainage fixture units

Reach-in refrigeration

cold-holding at 41°F or below

Work tables & surfaces

NSF-listed, non-absorbent

Hoods & ventilation

over cooking equipment; make-up air

Dishwashers

high-temp or chemical sanitizing

Nearby counties

Permit costs and rules change at the county line — compare Winnebago County with its neighbors.

Calumet County, WI

Restaurant permit: See page

Fond du Lac County, WI

Restaurant permit: $100

Green Lake County, WI

Restaurant permit: See page

Outagamie County, WI

Restaurant permit: $130

Waupaca County, WI

Restaurant permit: See page

Waushara County, WI

Restaurant permit: See page

How to open: typical permitting sequence

This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.

Confirm whether Winnebago County or another local jurisdiction (city/district) handles your exact address.
Confirm zoning and permitted use.
Prepare your menu and scaled plans.
Include an equipment schedule with ANSI/NSF spec sheets.
Submit water-heater and hood documentation.
Pay plan-review fees.
Respond to plan-check corrections.
Obtain Environmental Health plan approval.
Obtain building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals.
Schedule rough-plumbing, pre-final and final health inspections.
Pay the operating-permit / application fees.
Receive approval before storing or preparing food.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a food permit in Winnebago County?

Winnebago County acts as a DATCP agent and licenses restaurants/retail food establishments under Wis; Admin; Code ATCP 75 (categorized simple / moderate / complex by point value); the county's combined annual license fee amounts are not published on its website (application says 'submit required application and fees') These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.

Is plan review required in Winnebago County?

Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: plan review required for new construction/remodeling (Construction/Remodeling Checklist provided); fee amount not published on county site

Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Winnebago County?

In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile operations require a service base/commissary; Transient (temporary) mobile vending fees ARE published; see notable and category file

Who issues food permits in Winnebago County?

Food permits here are issued by Winnebago County Public Health, Environmental Health Division (DATCP agent). See the department site for current details.

Are city building and fire approvals separate?

Yes — building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals are always separate from the health permit and are often handled by different offices.

Wisconsin statewide rules

Who licenses you, reciprocity, and the state regime.

What equipment you need

Build a tailored equipment checklist for your concept.

Permits & plan review, explained

The stack of approvals before you open.

Sources: www.winnebagocountywi.gov · winnebagocountywi.gov · docs.legis.wisconsin.gov · observed 2026-08-07