Food Safety

The City of Racine offers a wide variety of food through its many restaurants and other food service providers. In order to enjoy these foods, we must be confident that the services are safe for both residents and visitors. See the following page for more information on the results of routine restaurant and food service establishment inspections that the Environmental Health Division conducts:

Restaurant Ratings 

Food service protection functions to prevent food-borne outbreaks by regulating restaurants, taverns, retail food establishments, and sanitation establishments through on-site inspections and evaluations. It also functions to ensure that all food service establishments/events are properly licensed according to state and federal requirements.  See the information below for details regarding licensing requirements for restaurants and other food-service establishments in the City of Racine:

Restaurant, Tavern, and Retail Food Licensing 

Mobile Food Establishment Licensing 

Temporary Food Service Permits 

Temporary Food Service Class 

Food Establishment Complaints/Concerns 

For More Information 

Restaurant, Tavern, and Retail Food Licensing 

1. Complete the required application for license.
   • For restaurants, taverns, hotels/motels, swimming/whirlpools, tatoo/body art establishments, schools, and pet shops - Application for Restaurants, Taverns and other Establishments 
   • For retail food establishments - Application for Retail Food License (Department of Agriculture License) 
    
2. Submit completed form(s) to the Environmental Health Division with:
• Facility plans and specifications, which are required for all remodeling, construction, or alterations that will occur.
  Plan Review Guide
  Plan Review Checklist 
• An equipment list that includes manufacturer's name and model number. All equipment must be National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) approved, or equivalent. No "home-style" equipment will be permitted. Used, NSF-approved equipment must be both refurbished to a like-new condition and approved by the Environmental Health Division.
• A menu that lists all items to be served at the facility.
   
3. A one-time pre-inspection fee must be paid at the
   City Clerk/Treasurer's Office.
    
4. A pre-inspection of the facility. All pre-inspections must be scheduled at least two (2) weeks in advance. All violations found during the pre-inspection must be corrected pursuant to the Wisconsin Food Code prior to issuance of the license. If a follow-up inspection is deemed necessary, it must be scheduled at least 72 hours in advance.
    
5. Each licensed restaurant, tavern, or retail food establishment must have at least one (1) manager or operator who is certified in food protection practices by the State of Wisconsin within three (3) months of the release of the license.  Contact the Environmental Health Division for information on certification.
   
   Note: All operational/license fees must be paid in full at the Clerk/Treasurer's Office prior to the issuance of the license.

Other Agencies to Contact for Permanent Licenses
Building Department: Joint Inspection by the Fire and Building Departments; Occupancy Permit
City Hall, 730 Washington Avenue, Room 307
262-636-9464

Clerk/Treasurer's Office: Liquor, Soda, and/or Cigarette Licenses
City Hall, 730 Washington Avenue, Room 103
262-636-9171

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture:
608-224-4700  

Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Food Service Certification
608-266-2835
Wisconsin Food Service Manager Certification Information 

Mobile Food Establishment Licensing
A mobile food establishment is a restaurant or retail food establishment where food is served or sold from a movable vehicle, push cart, trailer, or boat which periodically or continuously changes location and requires a service base to accommodate the unit for servicing, cleaning, inspection, and maintenance.

A mobile food establishment does not include a vehicle which is used solely to transport or deliver food or a common carrier regulated by the state or federal government, or a movable concession stand designed to operate as a temporary food establishment or a traveling retail food establishment. 

If you are holding an event:

1. Contact the Environmental Health Division to determine if your event requires a permit.
    
2. If so, fill out the Application for Temporary Food Service Permit.
    
3. Be specific and detailed when filling out the application. It will be reviewed, and follow-up questions and necessary changes will be discussed with the event coordinator.
    
4. Mail, fax, or turn in the application in person, along with all necessary fees (detailed on the application), to the Environmental Health Division.
   Note: When faxing, call 262-636-9203 to provide credit card payment information.
    
5. There is a special rate available for non-profit organizations. In order to get this rate, you must supply a copy of the organization's 501(c)3 when applying.
    
6. All food handlers must attend a class offered by the Environmental Health Division detailing proper food service.

Law prohibits a temporary event operator from serving food more than three (3) times at the same facility in a licensing year, unless it is in association with different events. If you are planning numerous events, other permit options may be available to you. The Environmental Health Division can discuss these options with your organization.

Event Coordinators: Fill out and return the Temporary Event Coordinator Checklist along with your application. Also, review the Temporary Food Service Event Requirements. This booklet contains procedures for setting up food service areas, cooking and storing food, sanitizing work/service areas, and more. Knowing and following this information will ensure that the permitting process, as well as your event, runs smoothly and safely.
 

Other Agencies to Contact for Temporary Permits
Environmental Health Division: Noise Variance
City Hall, 730 Washington Avenue, Room 1
262-636-9203

Clerk/Treasurer's Office:
Peddler's/Seller's License, Alcohol/Soda License
City Hall, 730 Washington Avenue, Room 103
262-636-9146

Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Services Department:
Special Event at a Park Permit
Annex Building, 800 Center Street, Room 127
262/636-9131
 

Temporary Food Service Class
The Environmental Health Division offers a temporary food service class every Thursday at 2:30 P.M. in City Hall, Room 1. Workers who will be handling food at your event should attend. Arrangements can be made to facilitate this class at an alternate date/time.

Temporary Food Service Class Flyer
 

Food Establishment Complaints/Concerns
If you come across conditions in a restaurant, grocery store, or other food service establishment that you believe could be hazardous to your health or the health of others, contact the Environmental Health Division at 262-636-9203 to report this immediately. 

If you have questions or would like more information,
call 262-636-9203.
DHS 196: Wisconsin Food Code