County public health officer clarifies licensing requirements

It has been brought to my attention there is confusion from an e-mail sent on May 14, 2025, regarding transient licensing and inspection requirements for our WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, (further referred to as WI DATCP) agent program.

Taylor County is an agent of WI DATCP, and agrees to protect public health and safety, as the Agent of the DATCP under Wis. Stat. § 97.30 and Subchs. III and IV of ch. 97, and Wis. Admin. Code ch. ATCP 74, and the terms and conditions of a signed MOA. The Agent agrees to issue licenses to, inspect, and regulate retail food establishments, campgrounds, recreational and educational camps, public swimming pools and water attractions, hotels, motels, tourist rooming houses, and bed and breakfast establishments, as specified in this MOA, enforcing all applicable provisions of the Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code and associated DATCP policies, interpretive memos and procedures including, but not necessarily limited to, Wis. Stat. § 97.30 and Subchs. III and IV of ch.97, and Wis. Admin. Code chs. ATCP 72 (Hotels, Motels, and Tourist Rooming Houses), 73 (Bed and Breakfast Establishments), 74 (Local Agents and Regulation), 75 (Retail Food Establishments) and its Appendix (Wisconsin Food Code), 76 (Safety, Maintenance, and Operation of Public Pools and Water Attractions), 78 (Recreational and Educational Camps), and 79 (Campgrounds).

As an agent with WI DATCP, we are required to inspect anyone who intends to be a potential food vendor in Taylor County. All food vendors found operating in Taylor County must have a valid transient license and will be inspected by Taylor County’s Environmental Health Specialist once per year. Vendors who have a license from WI DATCP or another WI county will be charged a transient inspection fee. This inspection is not to issue a license to a facility but rather ensure all food codes and protocols are being followed to keep the patrons safe and healthy. This fee has been in place for 10+ years and increased based on a new fee schedule approved by Taylor County Board of Health in conjunction with WI DATCP reimbursement fee schedule in May 2024. The current transient inspection fee is $50.00. For transient license holders within Taylor County, this fee is included in their annual transient license fee. A transient license holder is defined as a food establishment that operates at a fixed location in conjunction with a special event and sells or serves food for a period of no more than 14 consecutive days or in conjunction with an occasional sales promotion. An example is food stands (not trucks) at Park fest, the fair etc. Transient applications are due to the county of residence at least 14 days prior to the first event and those fees are based on the level of risk set by WI DATCP and local fee schedules.

Taylor County transient license holders are subject to an inspection at any event they set up at, however they are not required to pay the transient inspection fee if they are set up within Taylor County. Other counties in WI may charge an additional transient inspection fee and vendors should check with the county they intend to set up in.

Mobile food trucks are also required to be licensed in Taylor County. These license fees are paid annually, and permits are valid July 1-June 30 of that given year. The units are subject to inspection at any time from Taylor County Health Department or WI DATCP. If a mobile food truck is licensed in another county and set up in Taylor County, they are subject to a 1-time inspection and inspection fee of $50.00.

I sincerely hope this helped clear up any questions and confusion that may have arisen from the request. Taylor County Health Department takes great pride in knowing events in the county are safe and healthy for all those who participate. Prevention is our number one concern, because of our diligence in inspecting and licensing Taylor County rarely receives complaints or reports of outbreaks; and we will continue to do our part to ensure compliance and safe food handling is a priority. Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail with further questions, I can be reached at 715-748-1414 or michelle.cahoon@co. taylor.wi.us — Michelle Cahoon, Health Officer, Taylor County Health Department This letter was sent to community event organizers to clarify the county and state licensing requirements.