Food & Restaurants

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Licensing

Licensing Requirements

Are you interested in opening a food establishment? The New Operator Guidelines list all approvals required to open a food or restaurant business in Wauwatosa.

To begin the food licensing process, fill out an application below and return to the Health Department. A sanitarian will follow up with you to schedule an on-site pre-inspection. You must meet the minimum requirements in the New Operator Guidelines before can be approved to open to the public.

Not sure where to start? Contact the Wauwatosa Health Department to talk to a sanitarian about your questions. Please include the establishment address and the type of establishment you're planning to open.

License Application Forms

2024 Consolidated Fee Schedule
Restaurant License Application
Retail Food License Application
Temporary Event and Mobile Food License Application
Hotel & Pool License Application
Bed and Breakfast Application
Short Term Rental Application

Inspections

We inspect over 450 city and state licensed establishments to ensure adherence to federal, state, and local codes and safety guidelines. The establishments that are inspected at least annually include:

Restaurants and retail food establishments
Farmer’s Markets
Temporary food events
Hotels/motels
Public swimming pools
Vending machines and micro markets
School cafeterias
Mobile food trucks and carts

View Food Inspection Reports for Wauwatosa establishments.

Resources for licensed establishments:

WHD Food Scoop Newsletters

Food Recalls

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains a list of recalled food items on their website. The FDA site also has an option to sign up to be alerted of new recalled food products.