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De Pere, WI Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

License expiration
Every June 30, regardless of issue date
Insurance requirement
$1,000,000.00 naming city as additional insured
Penalty
$1.00 to $1,000.00 forfeiture per offense
Licensing agencies
City clerk and city health department, both required
Transferability
Non-transferable; valid for one vehicle only

Summary

De Pere requires every mobile food establishment to hold two separate licenses: a City Health Department license for food safety and, from the City Clerk, a business license to operate in the city. The clerk's license expires each June 30, is valid for one vehicle only, and violators face a forfeiture between $1.00 and $1,000.00 per offense.

b.Required—City health department. All mobile food establishments used for vending food shall be licensed for such use by the city health department and all other applicable health agencies. Mobile food establishments shall acquire the appropriate licenses and permits for any additional food items not required under this subsection if deemed necessary by the city health department.c.Required—City clerk business license. Every mobile food vendor shall have a license issued by the city clerk to conduct business in the city. Each mobile food establishment shall be licensed separately. A mobile food establishment license shall expire on June 30 each year. ... (8)Penalties. A licensee or vendor who violates any provision of this subsection (d) or any regulation, rule, or order made hereunder shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $1.00 nor more than $1,000.00 for each offense.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 9).

Full Breakdown

De Pere Code of Ordinances § 106-4(d) governs mobile food establishments, defined as any restaurant or retail food establishment where food is served or sold from a movable vehicle, trailer or cart that periodically or continuously changes location. Two licenses are required before a mobile food vendor may operate: first, the city health department must license the unit for food handling under state and local health codes; second, the city clerk issues a separate business license under subsection (d)(2)c so the vendor may legally conduct business inside city limits.

Each mobile food establishment is licensed individually rather than under a blanket license, and the clerk's license runs on a fixed calendar, expiring every June 30 regardless of when it was issued. A vendor who wants to keep operating must reapply within 30 calendar days after expiration or start over as a brand-new applicant. Licenses are non-transferable between owners and are tied to one specific vehicle, so a fleet operator needs a separate license for every truck or cart. Applicants file with the city clerk, and the police department reviews every application before it can be approved; an application can be denied for a pending or prior criminal conviction connected to the licensed activity, a false statement on the form, or an applicant under 18 years old.

00, and must notify the city by mail if that policy is cancelled or materially changed. A denied applicant can appeal under section 106-2(g). 00 for each offense, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate offense.

Violations & Fines

Operating without both the health department license and the city clerk's business license, altering or failing to display the license, or transferring it to another vehicle or owner violates § 106-4(d). The city can suspend or revoke a license under § 106-2(l), and every violation of subsection (d) carries a forfeiture of not less than $1.00 nor more than $1,000.00, with each day of continued operation counted as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a food truck need more than one license in De Pere?
Yes. Section 106-4(d) requires a mobile food establishment to hold both a city health department license covering food safety and sanitation, and a separate business license issued by the city clerk. Only vendors licensed for both may legally sell food from a truck, trailer or cart inside De Pere city limits.
When does a De Pere mobile food license expire?
Every mobile food establishment license issued by the city clerk expires on June 30 each year, regardless of the date it was issued. Vendors who miss the 30-day renewal window after expiration must reapply as a brand-new applicant rather than simply renewing.
Can a De Pere mobile food license be used on more than one truck?
No. Section 106-4(d)(2)f. states a license is valid for one vehicle only and is not transferable between vehicles or between people. An operator running multiple food trucks needs a separate license, separate application, and separate fee for each individual vehicle in the fleet.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in De Pere

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