Register Your Truck

How to get a Food Truck Permit:

Step 1: Before you can apply for a food truck permit you’ll need:

  • A copy of your current, non-expired Service Base License and current, non-expired Mobile Retail Food Establishment License if you are an existing establishment. If you are a new establishment, appropriate licensing must be obtained from the Watertown Department of Public Health.
  • A Certificate of Liability insurance listing the City of Watertown as an additionally insured.
  • An inspection report showing that a Motorized Food Vending Vehicle has met the standards of safety.

Step 2: Find your location.
Start looking for a location once you submit your application. There are two types of locations:

  • Public locations: After your application is approved, you must notify the City of your intended location and schedule prior to vending.
  • Private and Special locations: You need permission from the property owner or point of contact.

Step 3: Complete your application:

Is your desired vending location on a City street? Fill out the Vending on Public Streets permit once you have all the above documents.
Vending on Public Streets  There is a $75 annual application fee for this particular permit.  The permit may be submitted to nzimmerman@watertownwi.gov (920-262-4060). Please give us two weeks to approve the permit.  Fees may be submitted upon approval via cash, check made payable to "City of Watertown" or credit card. Note that service fees for credit card payments will be added to the total cost.  Applicant shall also contact the Health Department at 920-262-8090 to verify that nothing further is required.

Is your desired vending location in a park? If so, you’ll also need to fill out the Concession in Parks permit and obtain a Parking and Driving Permit.

Concession in Parks
Parking and Driving Permit: Contact Stephanie Juhl at sjuhl@watertownwi.gov.

Step 4: Email or mail us your information – or deliver in person.
Email your application and documents to sjuhl@watertownwi.gov. Mail or bring your check and application to:

Stephanie Juhl
Watertown Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department
514 S. First St.
Watertown, WI 53094

Step 5: After you’ve notified the City of your intended location and schedule, call the Watertown Health Department to inform them of your first scheduled vending so they can perform an annual inspection.


  • Inspections must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance.
  • If you have had your annual inspection, no further inspections need to be scheduled that year.

Consult our Mobile Food Vending Checklist for more information: Food Vending Checklist.