Vending Machines

​​​​A license is required for any self-service food or drink vending machine offered for public use. Vending machine does not include a micro-market or a device which dispenses only bottled, prepackaged or canned soft drinks; a one-cent vending device; a vending machine dispensing only candy, gum, nuts, nut meats, cookies, or crackers; or a vending machine dispensing only prepackaged grade A pasteurized milk or milk products.

Foods Requiring a Vending License

  • ​Beverages in aluminum foil sealed plastic

  • Bulk popcorn

  • Cold foods

  • Cotton Candy

  • Cup cold beverages

  • Cup hot beverages

  • Canned soups/stews

  • Coin/token operated machines dispensing unbottled potable water

  • Dessert items

  • Any non-Grade A milk product

  • Cheese products

  • Processed cheese products

  • French-fries

  • Fruit

  • Frozen foods, examples: 

    • Ice cream

    • Ice milk

    • Popsicles

  • Hot Foods

  • Jell-O 

  • Yogurt

  • Pastry with fillings that have a pH greater than 4.6 or a water activity (aw) of greater than .85 under standard conditions. Examples: 

    • Cream/fruit pies

    • Eclairs

    • Cream/fruit/pudding filled donuts

  • Meat jerky

  • Sausage products

  • Wax paper carton beverages except milk​

Foods NOT Requiring a Vending License

  • Brownies with a minimum of a 10 day shelf life

  • Cakes with a minimum of a 10 day shelf life

  • Donuts

  • Canned juices

  • Candy

  • Gum

  • Nuts

  • Nutmeats

  • Cookies

  • Crackers: chips, pretzels, curls, etc.

  • Commercially canned/bottled potable water

  • Prepackaged popped/unpopped popcorn

  • Packaged corn nuts

  • Canned/bottled beverages

  • Little Debbie Snack Cakes

  • Hostess products

  • Pastry with fillings that have a pH of 4.6 or below or water activity (aw ) of .85 or less under standard conditions.  Example: 

    • Pastry wi​​​​​​​thout filling

  • Non-coin/token operated machines

  • Canned fruit juices

  • Grade A pasteurized milk or milk products


Duration

One year beginning July 1 ending June 30 of next calendar year. If initial license is issued after April 1, the license expires the next calendar year on June 30. For example, a license issued April 30, 2017 expires June 30, 2018.

Fees

​Type of License

​Annual License Fee

​One-time Pre-inspection Fee

​Vending Machine Operator

​$125 + $9 per vending machine

​N/A


*Note: The support and operation of vending machines will occur from a licensed food processing plant, a licensed retail food establishment, or a licensed food warehouse.​

Instructions

  1. To obtain a license through the department, first 608-224-4923 or email ​our licensing specialists.
  2. The licensing specialist will get you the information you need and will explain the process steps to you.​