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Food and Recreational Facility Licensing

The Manitowoc County Health Department is an agent for the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and is responsible for licensing and inspecting the following types of establishments in Manitowoc County.

      • Retail food establishments including transient food stands and mobile food facilities
      • Swimming pools, whirlpools and therapy pools
      • Hotels, motels and tourist rooming houses (vacation rentals)
      • Bed & Breakfasts
      • Campgrounds
      • Recreational & Education Camps
      • Tattoo and Body Piercing establishments
      • School lunch programs participating in federal breakfast/lunch program

License Duration

      • Each license issued by the Manitowoc County Health Dept expires on June 30 of each year.
      • License dates extend from July 1 of one year through June 30 of the following year.
      • If a license is granted after April 1 of a license year, that license will extend to June 30 of following year. No other licensing proration is allowed.
      • Renewal fees for existing establishments shall be submitted to the Manitowoc County Health Department before June 30 each year.

How to Begin the Licensing Process

      1. To obtain a license, first contact the Manitowoc County Health Dept at (920) 683-4155 or by email.​
      2. An Environmental Sanitarian will provide you the information you need and will explain the licensing process steps to you and answer your questions. ​ The Environmental Sanitarian will determine the appropriate licensing category for your facility and will send you an application to complete.

Where Can I Obtain and Review Applicable Codes?

Bed and Breakfast Establishments [ATCP 73]
Campgrounds [ATCP 79]
Hotel, Motel, Rooming Houses [ATCP 72]
Public Pools [ATCP 76]
Recreational & Educational Camps [ATCP 78]
Retail Food Facilities [ATCP 75] [WI Food Code]
Tattoo and Body Piercing [SPS 221]

Is Plan Review Required?
If you are constructing a new retail food facility, extensively remodeling an existing food facility or constructing a new campground then Plan Review is required.

In accordance with the Manitowoc County Code and  ATCP 75.075, “An applicant or license owner of a new or extensively remodeled retail food establishment shall submit a retail food establishment plan to the department or its agent.  The department or its agent may require an applicant or license holder to submit this document when a change of ownership has occurred. An applicant or license holder shall obtain plan approval from the department or its agent before any of the following occurs:

      1. The applicant or license holder begins construction of a retail food establishment.
      2. The license holder modifies or extensively remodels a retail food establishment.”

Food Facility Plan Review Application
Plan Review Guidelines
Campground Plan Review Application

Submit Fees and License Application
Once we have received your completed application and fees we will schedule your pre-licensing inspection.

2023-2024 Fee Schedule

Schedule a Pre-Inspection
Contact the Manitowoc County Health Department at least two weeks before opening day to schedule a pre-inspection.

Are you Ready for your Pre-Inspection?
Use the check-lists below as a guide to ensure the necessary items are present during the inspection.

Food Facility Pre-licensing Checklist
Tourist Rooming House Pre-licensing Checklist