Sauk County, WI Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Sauk County Code Chapter 29, the county's Food Safety and Recreational Licensing Ordinance, makes the Sauk County Health Department the designated agent of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for licensing and inspecting food service establishments, food vending machines, and related operations, including mobile and temporary food units, under Sec. 29.002. Sec. 29.009(2) targets mobile food trucks and temporary units directly: if the unit already holds a current Wisconsin state license and is operating anywhere in Sauk County, incorporated or unincorporated, the Health Department must conduct a food-safety inspection once per licensing year and assess an inspection fee for it.

Sec. 29.009(1) leaves the dollar amount to the Sauk County Board of Health, which keeps the current fee schedule on file at the Health Department rather than printing it in the ordinance. A vendor applies on Health Department forms under Sec. 29.008, and the department must approve or deny a complete application within 30 days. Once licensed, Sec. 29.011 requires the license be displayed prominently and publicly at the truck or stand at all times. Enforcement under Sec. 29.012 runs through the Sauk County Sheriff's Department and the Health Department, which can inspect the unit at any time, issue a written correction order, and refer noncompliance for citation and Chapter 20 forfeiture; failure to correct can also trigger suspension of the operating license under Sec.

29.013. If a city or village becomes its own DATCP agent under Wis. Stats. ch. 97, Sec. 29.007(1) removes that jurisdiction from this county ordinance, so the inspection-fee rule applies only where the county remains the licensing agent.