Catering Business Permit Requirements in Madison, WI

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Wisconsin Department of Revenue - Seller's Permit

   Required of every individual, partnership, corporation or other organization with a Wisconsin sales location making retail sales of taxable products or taxable services, with limited exceptions for wholesalers, manufacturers and certain marketplace sellers. The permit is issued through Business Tax Registration, which also covers withholding and use tax accounts. Rates: 5% state; seventy counties add 0.5%; Milwaukee County is 0.9% and the City of Milwaukee adds 2%, both effective January 1, 2024, so the rate inside Milwaukee is 7.9% - the only Wisconsin city with a municipal sales tax.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time Business Tax Registration fee, then $10 to renew every two years - it is not free. The $20 is the same regardless of how many locations need a seller's permit. DOR can additionally require a security deposit of up to $15,000 in some cases, returned after 24 consecutive months of compliance.·Register online through My Tax Account. DOR does not publish a guaranteed processing time - contact [email protected] or 608-266-2776 to check status.

   $20 one-time Business Tax Registration fee, then $10 to renew every two years - it is not free. The $20 is the same regardless of how many locations need a seller's permit. DOR can additionally require a security deposit of up to $15,000 in some cases, returned after 24 consecutive months of compliance.

   Register online through My Tax Account. DOR does not publish a guaranteed processing time - contact [email protected] or 608-266-2776 to check status.

2. Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection - Certified Food Protection Manager

   Wisconsin requires at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) per licensed food establishment that processes potentially hazardous food. The manager must pass an ANSI-accredited food protection manager examination (for example ServSafe) - not an 'ANSI/ASTM-accredited' exam; ASTM is unrelated to this certification. DATCP oversees retail food safety under the Wisconsin Food Code (ATCP 75).

   Official government source

   No DATCP fee - the examination and any preparatory course are priced by private ANSI-accredited providers.·Certification must be in place shortly after the business opens - Milwaukee's food dealer guidance states 90 days under city ordinance and the Wisconsin Food Code. Confirm the deadline for your establishment with DATCP or your local health department.

   No DATCP fee - the examination and any preparatory course are priced by private ANSI-accredited providers.

   Certification must be in place shortly after the business opens - Milwaukee's food dealer guidance states 90 days under city ordinance and the Wisconsin Food Code. Confirm the deadline for your establishment with DATCP or your local health department.

1. Public Health Madison & Dane County - Retail Food Establishment License (catering)

   All Dane County food establishments, including caterers operating in Madison, must be licensed and inspected each year by Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC). The City of Madison Clerk's Office processes all food and drink applications and fees for Madison and Dane County; PHMDC Environmental Health reviews kitchen plans and performs a pre-inspection before the license is issued. A caterer working out of another licensed kitchen needs a Shared Food Facility Agreement.

   Official government source

   The annual license fee is based on anticipated gross annual food sales and food-handling complexity, plus a one-time pre-inspection/plan review fee. Lowest tier for a retail food establishment serving meals ($0-$10,000 in sales): $266.76 PHMDC annual fee + $14.70-$75.60 state annual fee + $562.50 pre-inspection = $843.96-$904.86 for a new license. Top tier (over $5,000,000): $1,457.35 + state fee + $1,200.00 pre-inspection = $2,672.05-$2,732.95 (PHMDC fee schedule effective May 4, 2026).·Not published - the license is issued after the application and fee are processed and the pre-inspection is complete.

   The annual license fee is based on anticipated gross annual food sales and food-handling complexity, plus a one-time pre-inspection/plan review fee. Lowest tier for a retail food establishment serving meals ($0-$10,000 in sales): $266.76 PHMDC annual fee + $14.70-$75.60 state annual fee + $562.50 pre-inspection = $843.96-$904.86 for a new license. Top tier (over $5,000,000): $1,457.35 + state fee + $1,200.00 pre-inspection = $2,672.05-$2,732.95 (PHMDC fee schedule effective May 4, 2026).

   Not published - the license is issued after the application and fee are processed and the pre-inspection is complete.

2. City of Madison - No General Business License

   The City of Madison does not have a general/generic business license. Per the city's own guidance: "The City of Madison does not have a generic business license. Most licenses issued by the Clerk's Office are for things that need to be inspected" (e.g. restaurants, pools, hotels). There is no general or blanket business license and no annual renewal or display requirement for most business types. The Clerk's Office licenses only specific regulated activities - alcohol, tobacco and vaping, adult entertainment, secondhand dealers, transportation and tattooing among them. A Certificate of Occupancy from the Building Inspection Division is still required for a commercial space.

   Official government source

   $0 - Madison has no general or blanket business license. Fees apply only to the specific regulated activities the Clerk's Office licenses. If you are taking a commercial space, the Certificate of Occupancy is $10.00 first certificate, $150.00 each additional, or $75.00 for a zoning change of use or occupancy (City of Madison Building Inspection fee schedule).·Not applicable - there is no general city license to apply for.

   $0 - Madison has no general or blanket business license. Fees apply only to the specific regulated activities the Clerk's Office licenses. If you are taking a commercial space, the Certificate of Occupancy is $10.00 first certificate, $150.00 each additional, or $75.00 for a zoning change of use or occupancy (City of Madison Building Inspection fee schedule).

   Not applicable - there is no general city license to apply for.

Official Sources

• Dane County Health Department
• Wisconsin Department of Revenue — Seller's Permit

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