125.04(5)(5) Qualifications for licenses and permits. 125.04(5)(a)(a) Natural persons. Licenses and permits related to alcohol beverages, issued to natural persons under this chapter, may be issued only to persons who fulfill all of the following requirements: 125.04(5)(a)2.2. Have been residents of this state continuously for at least 90 days prior to the date of application. 125.04(5)(a)5.5. Have successfully completed within the 2 years prior to the date of application a responsible beverage server training course at any location that is offered by a technical college district and that conforms to curriculum guidelines specified by the technical college system board or a comparable training course that is approved by the division or the department of safety and professional services. This subdivision does not apply to an applicant who held, or who was an agent appointed and approved under sub. (6) of a corporation or limited liability company that held, within the past 2 years, a Class “A”, “Class A” or “Class C” license or a Class “B” or “Class B” license or permit or a manager’s or operator’s license. Effective date noteNOTE: Subd. 5. is amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 73 to read: Effective date text5. Have successfully completed within the 2 years prior to the date of application a responsible beverage server training course at any location that is offered by a technical college district and that conforms to curriculum guidelines specified by the technical college system board or a comparable training course that is approved by the division or the department of safety and professional services. This subdivision does not apply to an applicant who held, or who was an agent appointed and approved under sub. (6) of a corporation or limited liability company that held, within the past 2 years, a Class “A”, “Class A” or “Class C” license or a Class “B” or “Class B” license or permit or a manager’s or operator’s license, or an operator’s permit.
125.04(5)(b)(b) Criminal offenders. No license or permit related to alcohol beverages may, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, be issued under this chapter to any person who has habitually been a law offender or has been convicted of a felony unless the person has been duly pardoned. 125.04(5)(c)(c) Corporations and limited liability companies. No license or permit may be issued to any corporation or limited liability company unless that entity meets the qualifications under pars. (a) 1. and 4. and (b), unless the agent of the entity appointed under sub. (6) and the officers and directors, or members or managers, of the entity meet the qualifications of pars. (a) 1. and 3. and (b) and unless the agent of the entity appointed under sub. (6) meets the qualifications under par. (a) 2. and 5. The requirement that the entity meet the qualifications under pars. (a) 1. and (b) does not apply if the entity has terminated its relationship with all of the individuals whose actions directly contributed to the conviction. 125.04(5)(d)1.1. Paragraph (a) 2. does not apply to applicants for operators’ licenses issued under s. 125.17, to applicants for operators’ permits issued under s. 125.175, or to applicants for managers’ licenses issued under s. 125.18. Managers’ licenses may be issued only to applicants who are residents of this state at the time of issuance. Effective date noteNOTE: Subd. 1. is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 73. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text1. Paragraph (a) 2. does not apply to applicants for operators’ licenses issued under s. 125.17 or to applicants for managers’ licenses issued under s. 125.18. Managers’ licenses may be issued only to applicants who are residents of this state at the time of issuance.
125.04(5)(d)2.2. Paragraph (a) 3. does not apply to applicants for operators’ licenses under s. 125.17 or to applicants for operators’ permits under s. 125.175. Operators’ licenses and operators’ permits may be issued only to applicants who have attained the age of 18. Effective date noteNOTE: Subd. 2. is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 73. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text2. Paragraph (a) 3. does not apply to applicants for operators’ licenses under s. 125.17. Operators’ licenses may be issued only to applicants who have attained the age of 18.
Effective date noteNOTE: Subd. 3. a. is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 73. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date texta. Applicants for operators’ licenses under s. 125.17.
125.04(6)(6) Licenses to corporations and limited liability companies; appointment of agents. 125.04(6)(a)(a) Agent. No corporation or limited liability company organized under the laws of this state or of any other state or foreign country may be issued any alcohol beverage license or permit unless: 125.04(6)(a)1.1. The entity first appoints an agent in the manner prescribed by the authority issuing the license or permit. In addition to the qualifications under sub. (5), the agent must, with respect to character, record and reputation, be satisfactory to the issuing authority. 125.04(6)(a)2.2. The entity vests in the agent, by properly authorized and executed written delegation, full authority and control of the premises described in the license or permit of the entity, and of the conduct of all business on the premises relative to alcohol beverages, that the licensee or permittee could have and exercise if it were a natural person. 125.04(6)(b)(b) Successor agent. A corporation or limited liability company may cancel the appointment of an agent and appoint a successor agent to act in the agent’s place, for the remainder of the license year or until another agent is appointed, as follows: 125.04(6)(b)1.1. The successor agent shall meet the same qualifications required of the first appointed agent. 125.04(6)(b)2.2. The entity shall immediately notify the issuing authority, in writing, of the appointment of the successor agent and the reason for the cancellation and new appointment. 125.04(6)(c)(c) Authority of successor. A successor agent shall have all the authority, perform all the functions and be charged with all the duties of the previous agent of the corporation or limited liability company until the next regular or special meeting of the issuing authority if a license is held. However, the license of the corporation or limited liability company shall cease to be in force if, prior to the next regular or special meeting of the issuing authority, the clerk of the licensing authority receives notice of disapproval of the successor agent by a peace officer of the municipality issuing the license. 125.04(6)(d)(d) Approval of successor. The license of the corporation or limited liability company shall not be in force after the next regular or special meeting of the licensing authority unless and until the successor agent or another qualified agent is appointed and approved by the licensing authority. 125.04(6)(e)(e) Fee. The corporation or limited liability company shall, following the approval of each successor agent or another qualified agent by the licensing authority, pay to the licensing authority a fee of $10. 125.04(6)(f)(f) Resignation. If an agent appointed under this subsection resigns, he or she shall notify in writing the corporation or limited liability company and the authority issuing the license or permit within 48 hours of the resignation. 125.04(6)(g)(g) Forms. If the division or any municipality prepares a form relating to the appointment of an agent under this subsection, including any cancellation of an appointment or appointment of a successor agent, the form may not require the signature of more than one person signing on behalf of the corporation or limited liability company submitting the form. 125.04(8)(8) Payment of license fee; permit fees. 125.04(8)(a)(a) No license for the sale of alcohol beverages may be delivered to the applicant until the applicant files with the municipal clerk a receipt showing payment of the license fee to the appropriate treasurer. No city or village may require an applicant to pay the license fee more than 15 days prior to the date the license is to be issued. No town may require an applicant to pay the license fee more than 30 days prior to the date the license is to be issued. 125.04(8)(b)(b) Unless the department established a different permit fee before January 1, 2025, and except as provided in ss. 125.175 (3), 125.22 (1) (e), 125.23 (1) (c), 125.27 (5) (f), 125.28 (4), 125.295 (4), 125.51 (5) (f) 5., 125.535 (2), and 125.65 (10), the division shall charge an annual fee of $500 for each permit issued by the division under this chapter. Effective date noteNOTE: Sub. (8) is shown as affected eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 73. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads: Effective date text(8) Payment of license fee. No license for the sale of alcohol beverages may be delivered to the applicant until the applicant files with the municipal clerk a receipt showing payment of the license fee to the appropriate treasurer. No city or village may require an applicant to pay the license fee more than 15 days prior to the date the license is to be issued. No town may require an applicant to pay the license fee more than 30 days prior to the date the license is to be issued.
Effective date noteNOTE: Sub. (8) is amended eff. 1-1-26 by 2023 Wis. Act 73 to read: Effective date text(8) Payment of license fee; permit fees. (a) No license for the sale of alcohol beverages may be delivered to the applicant until the applicant files with the municipal clerk a receipt showing payment of the license fee to the appropriate treasurer. No city or village may require an applicant to pay the license fee more than 15 days prior to the date the license is to be issued. No town may require an applicant to pay the license fee more than 30 days prior to the date the license is to be issued.
Effective date text(b) Unless the department established a different permit fee before January 1, 2025, and except as provided in ss. 125.175 (3), 125.22 (1) (e), 125.23 (1) (c), 125.24 (1) (e), 125.27 (5) (f), 125.28 (4), 125.295 (4), 125.51 (5) (f) 5., 125.535 (2), and 125.65 (10), the division shall charge an annual fee of $500 for each permit issued by the division under this chapter.
125.04(8m)(8m) Payment of criminal history fees. Any fees incurred by the division under s. 165.82 (1) (am) for purposes of verifying a permit applicant’s eligibility under sub. (5) (a) 1. and (b) shall be paid by the applicant to the division upon application for the permit. 125.04(9)(9) Separate license or permit required. Except as provided under ss. 125.27 (2) (a) and 125.51 (5) (c) 1., wholesalers, manufacturers, rectifiers, brewers, brewpubs, and retailers shall have a separate permit or license covering each location or premises, except a licensed public warehouse, from which deliveries and sales of alcohol beverages are made or at which alcohol beverages are stored. 125.04(10)(a)(a) Frame. Permits for the retail sale of alcohol beverages, and licenses for the sale of alcohol beverages, shall be enclosed in a frame having a transparent front which allows the license or permit to be clearly read. 125.04(10)(b)(b) Display. All permits and licenses under par. (a), other than those for the sale of fermented malt beverages for consumption on the premises issued to the state fair or to county or district fairs receiving state aid, shall be conspicuously displayed for public inspection at all times in the room or place where the activity subject to permit or licensure is carried on. 125.04(11)(11) Expiration dates. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter: 125.04(11)(a)(a) Permits. All permits to sell alcohol beverages shall expire as specified in the valid certificate issued under s. 73.03 (50). 125.04(11)(b)1.1. The municipal governing body of a 1st class city may issue a retail license for the sale of alcohol beverages at any time during a year. Each license shall be valid for one year and shall specify its date of expiration. 125.04(11)(b)2.2. All licenses other than those specified under subd. 1. shall expire on June 30 of each year. 125.04(12)(a)(a) From place to place. Every alcohol beverage license or permit may be transferred to another place or premises within the same municipality. An alcohol beverage warehouse permit under s. 125.19, a winery permit under s. 125.53, or a wholesaler’s permit under s. 125.28 or 125.54 may be transferred to another premises within this state. Transfers shall be made by the issuing authority upon payment of a fee of $10 to the issuing authority. No retail licensee, retail permittee, wholesaler permittee, or holder of a warehouse or winery permit is entitled to more than one transfer during the license or permit year. This paragraph does not apply to a license issued under s. 125.51 (4) (v) or to a reserve “Class B” license, as defined in s. 125.51 (4) (a). 125.04(12)(b)1.1. Licenses to sell alcohol beverages may be transferred to persons other than the licensee if the licensee, or an applicant for a subsequently granted license, dies, becomes bankrupt or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors during the license year or after filing the application. If a retail licensee becomes disabled, the municipality may, upon application, transfer the license to the licensee’s spouse if that spouse may hold a license under sub. (5) and complies with all of the requirements under this chapter applicable to original applicants, except that the spouse is exempt from payment of the license fee for the year in which the transfer takes place. 125.04(12)(b)2.2. Upon the happening of any of the events under subd. 1., the personal representative, the surviving spouse if a personal representative is not appointed, the trustee or the receiver may continue or sell or assign the business. 125.04(12)(b)4.4. If the business is sold or assigned, the license may be transferred to the successor owner or assignee at no charge if: 125.04(12)(b)4.a.a. He or she complies with the requirements applicable to original applicants; and 125.04(12)(b)4.b.b. He or she is acceptable to the issuing authority and consent to the transfer is given by the issuing authority. 125.04(13)(13) Penalties. Any person who violates sub. (1) may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both. 125.04 HistoryHistory: 1981 c. 79, 235, 391; 1983 a. 27, 72, 74, 493, 494, 516; 1985 a. 302; 1987 a. 35, 301, 399; 1989 a. 31, 253; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 112, 259, 491; 1995 a. 23; 1995 a. 27 ss. 4117b, 4117c, 9154 (1); 1995 a. 225; 1997 a. 27; 2003 a. 250; 2007 a. 20, 85; 2011 a. 32; 2017 a. 59; 2017 a. 207 s. 5; 2017 a. 289; 2023 a. 73. 125.04 AnnotationSection 176.14 [now sub. (3) (h)] requires a licensee to update an application during the license year to facilitate scrutiny of the ongoing operation. The licensing authority has discretion to approve or disapprove any reported expansion of a licensed premises. Alberti v. City of Whitewater, 109 Wis. 2d 592, 327 N.W.2d 150 (Ct. App. 1982). 125.04 AnnotationLicensees who are natural persons are liable for criminal acts of employees. State v. Beaudry, 119 Wis. 2d 96, 349 N.W.2d 106 (Ct. App. 1984). But see s. 125.115. 125.04 AnnotationThe registered agent of a corporate alcohol beverage licensee is subject to vicarious criminal liability for an employee’s violation of the closing hour law. State v. Beaudry, 123 Wis. 2d 40, 365 N.W.2d 593 (1985). 125.04 AnnotationA person may be a “habitual law offender” under sub. (5) (b) without having been convicted of any crime. State ex rel. Smith v. City of Oak Creek, 139 Wis. 2d 788, 407 N.W.2d 901 (1987). 125.04 AnnotationSub. (1) requires that the actual owner of an establishment selling intoxicating liquor possess the license in the owner’s own name. State v. Eastman, 148 Wis. 2d 254, 435 N.W.2d 278 (Ct. App. 1988). 125.04 AnnotationA license never should have been issued when a notice of application had not been published as required under sub. (3) (g), and a license issued without publication is void under sub. (2). Selling liquor under a void license constitutes a violation of s. 125.66 (1). Under s. 125.12, a renewal licensee, if refused, is guaranteed a right to be heard by the municipality, and the municipality must show cause for refusal, but a new licensee, if refused, has no such guarantee. When an original license is void, the applicant is a new licensee. Williams v. City of Lake Geneva, 2002 WI App 95, 253 Wis. 2d 618, 643 N.W.2d 864, 01-1733. 125.04 AnnotationProprietors of a bed and breakfast may solicit voluntary contributions from guests at a social event held on the premises to defray the cost of alcohol, but proprietors who do not hold a license may not serve alcohol at a social event only to those who pay an admission fee. 80 Atty. Gen. 218. 125.04 AnnotationA village board’s denial of an application for a liquor license did not deprive the applicant of either liberty or property. Scott v. Village of Kewaskum, 786 F. 2d 338 (1986). 125.04 Annotation90 Proof: Liquor Licensing in Wisconsin. Murrell. Wis. Law. May 2009.
125.045125.045 Booklet for licensees and permittees; safe ride program information. 125.045(1)(1) The division shall prepare a booklet explaining the state statutes and rules relating to the retail sale of alcohol beverages, written concisely in language which is clearly understood by those required to utilize it. 125.045(2)(a)(a) The division shall provide a copy of the booklet under sub. (1) free of charge to each person issued a permit, including a renewal, under s. 125.27 or 125.51 (5). The division shall provide the booklet for a charge not to exceed cost, as provided under s. 20.908, to municipalities. 125.045(2)(b)(b) The division shall provide to each person initially issued a permit under s. 125.27 or 125.51 (5) information regarding the safe ride program described in s. 85.55. Effective date noteNOTE: Sub. (2) is amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 73 to read: Effective date text(2) (a) The division shall provide a copy of the booklet under sub. (1) free of charge to each person issued a permit, including a renewal, under s. 125.175, 125.27, or 125.51 (5). The division shall provide the booklet for a charge not to exceed cost, as provided under s. 20.908, to municipalities.
Effective date text(b) The division shall provide to each person initially issued a permit under s. 125.27 or 125.51 (5) information regarding the safe ride program described in s. 85.55.
125.045(3)(a)(a) A municipality shall provide a copy of the booklet under sub. (1) to each person issued a license, including a renewal, under s. 125.17, 125.18, 125.25, 125.26 or 125.51 (1) by the municipality unless the municipality requires the person to complete an instructional program which includes the subject matter of the booklet or unless the person completes the program under s. 125.04 (5) (a) 5. or 125.17 (6). This section does not preclude a municipality from charging a fee for such a program. A municipality may charge for the booklet in an amount not to exceed the amount charged by the division under sub. (2) (a). 125.06125.06 License and permit exceptions. No license or permit is required under this chapter for: 125.06(1)(1) Brewers’ premises. The furnishing, by brewers, of fermented malt beverages free of charge to customers, visitors, and employees on the brewery premises. 125.06(2)(2) Hospitals; practice of medicine or surgery.
