Milwaukee, WI Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Ch. 68 Food License Regulations
- Posting height
- 4 to 6 feet off floor
- Placement
- Within 5 feet of front door
- Who posts it
- Health Dept. issues after inspection
- Non-compliance penalty
- Licensing committee, possible suspension
Summary
Milwaukee restaurants must post their most recent health inspection placard within 5 feet of the front entrance, 4 to 6 feet off the ground, or risk closure.
6. INSPECTION PLACARDS. a. Issuance. Upon completion of an inspection or investigation, the department shall issue an inspection placard to the food establishment. b. Design. The commissioner shall design the placard, which shall show the name and address of the food establishment, the date of the inspection or investigation, the name of the licensee, and the results of the inspection or investigation. c. Posting Required. It shall be unlawful to operate a food establishment unless an inspection placard is posted in accordance with this subsection. Each food establishment shall post only the most recent inspection placard. d. Location. A food placard shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the food establishment premises that is readily and easily visible to the public. To qualify as a conspicuous place, the placard shall be: d-1. Not lower than 4 feet nor higher than 6 feet from the ground or floor. d-2. Within 5 feet of the front door or direct entrance.
Food License Regulations 68-9-5 d-3. Unobscured and on the establishment's front window, door, or exterior wall. d-4. In a location approved by the health inspector to ensure proper notice to the general public and to patrons of the food establishment.
Full Breakdown
After every routine inspection, re-inspection or investigation, the Milwaukee health department issues a graded inspection placard showing the establishment's name, address, inspection date, licensee, and results. Operating without posting the most recent placard is unlawful, and a food establishment can post only the current one: older placards must come down. The placard has to hang in a conspicuous spot: between 4 and 6 feet off the floor, within 5 feet of the front door, and unobscured on the exterior wall, window or door. Defacing, hiding or removing a placard requires a police report before the health department will issue a replacement.
Violations & Fines
Failing to post the current placard, posting an outdated one, or defacing/removing it can force an appearance before the licensing committee and trigger license suspension, with a closure notice posted until the license is reinstated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Milwaukee grade restaurants A, B, C like some cities?
What happens if a Milwaukee restaurant doesn't post its placard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee
Compare Milwaukee to another location·View the Wisconsin public health rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.