Chapter 125

125.51(4)(a)3. 3. “Quota” means the number of licenses which a municipality may grant or issue.

125.51(4)(a)4. 4. “Reserve “Class B” license” means a license that is not granted or issued by a municipality on December 1, 1997, and that is counted under par. (br).

125.51(4)(am) (am) No municipality may issue a license that would cause the municipality to exceed its quota.

125.51(4)(b) (b) Except as provided in pars. (c) and (d), the quota of each municipality is the sum of the following:

125.51(4)(b)1g. 1g. The number of licenses granted or issued in good faith by the municipality and in force on December 1, 1997.

125.51(4)(b)1m. 1m. The number of the municipality’s reserve “Class B” licenses determined under par. (bm) 3.

125.51(4)(bm) (bm) The clerk of each municipality shall record the municipality’s population, as defined in par. (a) 2., and the number of licenses:

125.51(4)(bm)1. 1. Authorized to be issued by the municipality on December 1, 1997, under s. 125.51 (4), 1995 stats.;

125.51(4)(bm)2. 2. Described in par. (b) 1g.; and

125.51(4)(bm)3. 3. That are reserve “Class B” licenses.

125.51(4)(br) (br)

125.51(4)(br)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the number of reserve “Class B” licenses authorized to be issued by a municipality shall be determined as follows:

125.51(4)(br)1.a. a. Subtract 3 from the number recorded under par. (bm) 1.

125.51(4)(br)1.b. b. Subtract the number recorded under par. (bm) 2. from the result under subd. 1. a.

125.51(4)(br)1.c. c. Divide the result under subd. 1. b. by 2, except that if the result is not a whole number round the quotient down to the nearest whole number.

125.51(4)(br)1.d. d. Add 3 to the result under subd. 1. c.

125.51(4)(br)1.e. e. Add one license per each increase of 500 population to the population recorded under par. (bm).

125.51(4)(br)1.f. f. Add one license if the municipality had issued a license under s. 125.51 (4) (br) 1. e., 1999 stats., based on a fraction of 500 population, but a municipality’s quota is only increased under this subd. 1. f. as long as the total number of licenses issued by the municipality equals the maximum number of licenses authorized, including under this subd. 1. f.

125.51(4)(br)1.g. g. Add one license for each license transferred to the municipality under par. (e).

125.51(4)(br)1.h. h. Subtract one license for each license transferred from the municipality under par. (e).

125.51(4)(br)2. 2. Notwithstanding subd. 1., if the difference between the number of licenses determined under par. (b) 1g. and under par. (bm) 1. is 3 or fewer, the number of reserve “Class B” licenses authorized to be issued by that municipality is the difference between the number of licenses determined under par. (b) 1g. and under par. (bm) 1., plus one per each increase of 500 population to the population recorded under par. (bm), plus one for each license transferred to the municipality under par. (e), minus one for each license transferred from the municipality under par. (e), plus one if the municipality had issued a license under s. 125.51 (4) (br) 2., 1999 stats., based on a fraction of 500 population but only as long as the total number of licenses issued by the municipality equals the maximum number of licenses authorized.

125.51(4)(c) (c) If territory containing premises covered by a license or reserve “Class B” license is annexed to a municipality and if the municipality’s quota would not otherwise allow a license or reserve “Class B” license for the premises, the quota is increased to include the license or reserve “Class B” license of each premises in the annexed territory.

125.51(4)(d) (d) Detachment of territory decreases the quota of the remainder of the municipality by the number of licenses or reserve “Class B” licenses issued for premises in the detached territory, except that detachment does not decrease the quota of the remainder to less than one license per 500 persons or less than one license.

125.51(4)(e) (e)

125.51(4)(e)1. 1. A municipality may make a request to another municipality located in whole or in part in the same county as the requesting municipality that the other municipality transfer a reserve “Class B” license to the requesting municipality. If the request is granted, the reserve “Class B” license shall be transferred.

125.51(4)(e)2. 2. A municipality may transfer or receive more than one reserve “Class B” license under this paragraph as long as each transfer meets the requirements of this paragraph, but a municipality may not transfer more than 3 reserve “Class B” licenses under this paragraph.

125.51(4)(e)3. 3. After transfer of a reserve “Class B” license under this paragraph, the municipality receiving the reserve “Class B” license may issue and renew the reserve “Class B” license in the same manner as other reserve “Class B” licenses that have not been so transferred, except that the fee under sub. (3) (e) 4., not sub. (3) (e) 2., applies upon issuance of the reserve “Class B” license by the receiving municipality after the transfer. Upon receipt of the issuance fee from the licensee, the receiving municipality shall remit this issuance fee to the municipality that transferred the license.

125.51(4)(e)4. 4. Notwithstanding subds. 1. to 3., if a municipality has not issued any licenses, the municipality may not transfer any licenses under this paragraph.

125.51(4)(u) (u)

125.51(4)(u)1. 1. In this paragraph:

125.51(4)(u)1.a. a. “Economic development project” means a project or projects within a premier economic development district that, alone or together, have an estimated comprehensive new construction assessed valuation increase of at least $20,000,000, as established and certified by an independent 3rd-party appraiser or market research firm that provides a written report regarding the estimated value to be created by the project or projects.

125.51(4)(u)1.b. b. “Premier economic development district” means a geographic area designated under subd. 2.

125.51(4)(u)2. 2. A municipality may, by ordinance enacted by at least a two-thirds vote of the municipality’s governing body, designate a geographic area within the municipality as a premier economic development district if all of the following apply:

125.51(4)(u)2.a. a. The geographic area does not exceed 40 acres and the boundaries of the geographic area are precisely identified in the ordinance.

125.51(4)(u)2.b. b. No part of the geographic area is physically separated from the rest of the geographic area so that, except for public streets, similar community infrastructure, and rivers and other waterways, each portion of the geographic area is contiguous with some other portion of the geographic area.

125.51(4)(u)2.c. c. The geographic area does not include any land that is zoned exclusively for industrial use or zoned exclusively for single-family or 2-family residences.

125.51(4)(u)3. 3. Notwithstanding pars. (am) to (d) and s. 125.185 (5), a municipality that has designated a premier economic development district may issue up to 2 “Class B” licenses in connection with an economic development project within the premier economic development district, in addition to the number of licenses determined for the municipality’s quota under pars. (b) to (d) and in addition to any license under par. (v) or (w).

125.51(4)(u)4. 4. A “Class B” license issued under subd. 3. may not be transferred under s. 125.04 (12) (b) 4. If a “Class B” license issued under subd. 3. is surrendered to the issuing municipality, revoked, or not renewed, the municipality may reissue the license only for premises located within the premier economic development district.

125.51(4)(u)5. 5. A municipality may not designate more than one premier economic development district under this paragraph.

125.51(4)(u)6. 6. Not more than 2 “Class B” licenses may be issued under this paragraph for premises within a premier economic development district, regardless of the number of economic development projects within the premier economic development district.

125.51(4)(v) (v) Notwithstanding par. (am), if a municipality has granted or issued a number of licenses equal to or exceeding its quota, the municipal governing body may issue a license for any of the following:

125.51(4)(v)1. 1. A full-service restaurant that has an interior, permanent seating capacity of 300 or more persons.

125.51(4)(v)2. 2. A hotel that has 50 or more rooms of sleeping accommodations and that has either an attached restaurant with a seating capacity of 150 or more persons or a banquet room in which banquets attended by 400 or more persons may be held.

125.51(4)(v)3. 3. An opera house or theater for the performing arts operated by a nonprofit organization, as defined in s. 134.695 (1) (am). Notwithstanding sub. (3) (a) and (b), a “Class B” license issued under this subdivision authorizes the retail sale of intoxicating liquor only for consumption on the premises where sold and only in connection with ticketed performances.

125.51(4)(v)4. 4. A full-service restaurant that has a seating capacity of 75 to 100 persons on November 26, 2009; is located in a commercial building; prepares, serves, and sells food to the public; has a separate dining area with permanent fixtures where table service is provided a minimum of 4 nights per week for a minimum of 6 months per year; generates more than 50 percent of total annual sales revenue from food sales; and is located on a golf course in a municipality, in Bayfield County, having a population of at least 400 but not more than 500. For purposes of this subdivision, “golf course” does not include a miniature golf course. No “Class B” license may be issued under this subdivision after March 1, 2010. If a “Class B” license issued under this subdivision is surrendered to the issuing municipality, not renewed, or revoked, the municipality may not reissue the license.

125.51(4)(v)5. 5. An event venue certified by the division under s. 125.24 (5) (b). Except as provided in this subdivision, a license may not be issued under this subdivision unless the license application is received by the municipality no later than August 1, 2026. Except as provided in this subdivision, if a “Class B” license issued under this subdivision is surrendered to the issuing municipality, not renewed, or revoked, the municipality may not reissue the license. The municipality may reissue the license if the licensee sells or transfers ownership of the licensed premises or a business operated on the licensed premises and the license is surrendered or not renewed in connection with the sale or transfer of the property or business, the licensee continued to operate the licensed premises as a qualifying event venue, as defined in s. 125.24 (5) (a), from the time of license issuance until the time the license is surrendered or not renewed, the license is reissued for the same location, and the applicant for reissuance of the license satisfies the requirements under this chapter to hold the license and certifies to the municipality that the applicant will continue to operate the licensed premises as a qualifying event venue, as defined in s. 125.24 (5) (a).

Effective date note NOTE: Subd. 5. is created eff. 1-1-26 by 2023 Wis. Act 73.

125.51(4)(w) (w)

125.51(4)(w)1. 1. Notwithstanding pars. (am) to (d) and s. 125.185 (5), the village board of any village in the northern geographical half of Ozaukee County having a population of more than 4,000 may issue, to any applicant designated by the village board, one “Class B” license in addition to the number of licenses determined for the village’s quota under pars. (b) to (d). No “Class B” license may be issued under this subdivision after August 1, 2008. If a “Class B” license issued under this subdivision is surrendered to the issuing village, not renewed, or revoked, the village may not reissue the license, but a “Class B” license issued under this subdivision may be transferred in the same manner as other licenses as provided under s. 125.04 (12) (b) 4.

125.51(4)(w)2. 2. Notwithstanding pars. (am) to (d) and s. 125.185 (5), a city that is immediately adjacent to the southern border of the city of Milwaukee and that has an eastern boundary of Lake Michigan may issue 3 “Class B” licenses in addition to the number of licenses determined for the city’s quota under pars. (b) to (d).

125.51(4)(w)3. 3. Notwithstanding pars. (am) to (d) and s. 125.185 (5), a 4th class city located in Dane County having a population as shown in the 2000 federal decennial census of at least 8,000 but not more than 9,000 may issue one “Class B” license in addition to the number of licenses determined for the city’s quota under pars. (b) to (d).

125.51(4)(w)4. 4. Notwithstanding pars. (am) to (d) and s. 125.185 (5), a 3rd class city located in Dane County having a population as shown in the 2000 federal decennial census of at least 15,000 but not more than 16,000 may issue 2 “Class B” licenses in addition to the number of licenses determined for the city’s quota under pars. (b) to (d).

125.51(4)(w)5. 5. Notwithstanding pars. (am) to (d) and s. 125.185 (5), the town of Wyoming in Iowa County may issue one “Class B” license in addition to the number of licenses determined for the town’s quota under pars. (b) to (d). No “Class B” license may be issued under this subdivision after February 1, 2016. If the “Class B” license issued under this subdivision is surrendered to the issuing town, not renewed, or revoked, the town may not reissue the license.

125.51(4)(x) (x)

125.51(4)(x)1. 1. In this paragraph:

125.51(4)(x)1.a. a. “Area base value” means the aggregate assessed value of all taxable property located within the geographic bounds of a capital improvement area on January 1 of the year that is 5 years prior to the year in which such capital improvement area is enumerated under subd. 2.

125.51(4)(x)1.b. b. “Capital improvement area” means a geographic area that is enumerated under subd. 2. as having an improvement increment exceeding $50,000,000 in the year in which the area is enumerated and as being located within a municipality with insufficient reserve “Class B” licenses to issue a “Class B” license for each business or proposed business that would reasonably require one.

125.51(4)(x)1.c. c. “Good faith,” with respect to an applicant’s attempt to purchase a “Class B” licensed business, includes an applicant making an offer to purchase the business for an amount exceeding $25,000 in total value, without additional significant conditions placed on the purchase by either party, after having given notice to all current “Class B” license holders within the municipality where the business is located, by U.S. mail addressed to either the licensee’s last-known address or to the licensed premises, of the applicant’s interest in purchasing a licensed business, except that an offer in an amount of $25,000 or less may also be considered to be in a good faith for purposes of this subd. 1. c. depending on the fair market value of the business, the availability of other licensed businesses for purchase, and any conditions attached to the sale.

125.51(4)(x)1.d. d. “Improvement increment” means the aggregate assessed value of all taxable property in a capital improvement area as of January 1 of any year minus the area base value.

125.51(4)(x)1.e. e. “Qualified applicant” means an applicant that complies with all requirements under s. 125.04 (5) and (6) and any applicable ordinance, that certifies by affidavit that the applicant has made a good faith attempt to purchase the business of a person holding a “Class B” license within the municipality and have that license transferred to the applicant under s. 125.04 (12) (b) 4., and for whom the issuing municipality has determined that these requirements have been met.

125.51(4)(x)2. 2. The legislature hereby enumerates, as a capital improvement area, the geographic area composed of all land within the Tax Incremental District Number 3 within the city of Oconomowoc in Waukesha County that lies south of Valley Road and east of STH 67 or that lies south of I 94 and west of STH 67.

125.51(4)(x)3. 3. Notwithstanding pars. (am) to (d) and s. 125.185 (5), upon application by a qualified applicant, the governing body of any municipality containing a capital improvement area enumerated under subd. 2. shall issue to the qualified applicant one “Class B” license in addition to the number of licenses determined for the municipality’s quota under pars. (b) to (d) and in addition to any license under par. (v).

125.51(4)(x)4. 4. Notwithstanding pars. (am) to (d) and s. 125.185 (5), after a qualified applicant has filed an application under subd. 3. and upon application by an initial qualified applicant under this subdivision, the governing body of any municipality containing a capital improvement area enumerated under subd. 2. shall determine the improvement increment within the capital improvement area for the calendar year in which the application under this subdivision is filed. If the improvement increment is at least $10,000,000 above $50,000,000, the governing body of the municipality shall issue to the initial qualified applicant a “Class B” license. For each $10,000,000 of improvement increment above $50,000,000, the governing body of the municipality is authorized to issue under this subdivision one “Class B” license and, upon each application by a qualified applicant subsequent to that of the initial qualified applicant, the governing body of the municipality shall issue a “Class B” license to the qualified applicant until all licenses authorized under this subdivision have been issued. If the governing body of any municipality receives an application by a qualified applicant in a calendar year subsequent to the calendar year in which it received the application of the initial qualified applicant, the governing body of the municipality shall redetermine the improvement increment for that year for the purpose of determining the number of “Class B” licenses authorized under this subdivision. The “Class B” licenses that a municipality is authorized to issue under this subdivision are in addition to the number of licenses determined for the municipality’s quota under pars. (b) to (d), any license under par. (v), and the license under subd. 3.

125.51(4)(x)5. 5. Notwithstanding subds. 3. and 4., not more than 8 “Class B” licenses may be issued under this paragraph for premises within the same capital improvement area.

125.51(4)(x)6. 6. Notwithstanding subd. 7., any “Class B” license issued under this paragraph may be transferred as provided under s. 125.04 (12) (b) 4. Notwithstanding subds. 5. and 7., if a “Class B” license issued under this paragraph is surrendered to the issuing municipality, revoked, or not renewed, the municipality may reissue the license to a qualified applicant for a premises located within the same capital improvement area for which the license was originally issued.

125.51(4)(x)7. 7. No “Class B” license may be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2017.

125.51(5) (5) Retail “Class B” permits.

125.51(5)(a) (a) Sports clubs.

125.51(5)(a)1. 1. The division shall issue “Class B” permits to clubs that are operated solely for the playing of golf or tennis and are commonly known as country clubs and to clubs which are operated solely for curling, ski jumping, or yachting. A “Class B” permit may be issued only to a club that holds a valid certificate issued under s. 73.03 (50), that is not open to the general public, and that is located in a municipality that does not issue “Class B” licenses or to a club located in a municipality that issues “Class B” licenses, if the club holds a valid certificate issued under s. 73.03 (50), is not open to the general public, was not issued a license under s. 176.05 (4a), 1979 stats., and does not currently hold a “Class B” license. The permits may be issued by the division without regard to any quota under sub. (4). The holder of a “Class B” permit may sell intoxicating liquor for consumption by the glass and not in the original package or container on the premises covered by the permit.

125.51(5)(a)2. 2. Except as provided in this paragraph, all sections of this chapter applying to retail “Class B” licenses apply to “Class B” permits issued under this paragraph.

125.51(5)(a)3. 3. “Class B” permits may be issued only to a club which has occupied the premises upon which it is located for a period of at least 6 months prior to the date of application.

125.51(5)(a)4. 4. The division may annually issue a “Class B” permit to any club that holds a valid certificate issued under s. 73.03 (50), is organized to engage in sports similar to curling, golf, tennis or yachting and that held a license from July 1, 1950, to June 30, 1951, as long as it is continuously operated under substantially the same circumstances under which it operated during the year beginning July 1, 1950, if the club is located in a municipality that does not issue “Class B” licenses.

125.51(5)(b) (b) Public facilities and airports.

125.51(5)(b)1. 1. In this paragraph:

125.51(5)(b)1.a. a. “Arena” means a public building with a capacity of 4,000 or more persons used principally for the conduct of sports events.

125.51(5)(b)1.b. b. “Coliseum” means a public multipurpose facility designed for activities of the public, which may include but are not limited to sports events, trade shows, conventions, seminars, concerts, banquets and fairs.

125.51(5)(b)1.c. c. “Concessionaire” means a person designated by resolution of the governing body of a county or municipality owning an airport or public facility to operate premises in the airport or public facility.

125.51(5)(b)1.d. d. “Public facility” means an arena, coliseum, related exposition facilities or center for the performing or visual arts.

125.51(5)(b)1.e. e. “Related exposition facility” means buildings constructed on the same grounds as a coliseum and used for the same or ancillary functions.

125.51(5)(b)2. 2. The division shall issue a “Class B” permit to a concessionaire that holds a valid certificate issued under s. 73.03 (50) and that conducts business in an operating airport or public facility, if the county or municipality which owns the airport or public facility has, by resolution of its governing body, annually applied to the division for the permit. The permit authorizes the sale of intoxicating liquor for consumption by the glass and not in the original package or container on the premises.

125.51(5)(b)3. 3. Except as provided in this paragraph, all sections of this chapter relating to “Class B” licenses apply to “Class B” permits issued under this paragraph.

125.51(5)(b)4. 4. The division may not issue a permit under this paragraph to any county or municipality or officer or employee thereof.

125.51(5)(c) (c) Vessels.

125.51(5)(c)1. 1. The division may issue a “Class B” permit to any person who holds a valid certificate issued under s. 73.03 (50) and who is qualified under s. 125.04 (5) authorizing the sale of intoxicating liquor for consumption on any vessel having a regular place of mooring located in any waters of this state as defined under s. 29.001 (45) and (63) if the vessel either serves food and has an approved passenger capacity of not less than 40 individuals and the sale of intoxicating liquor and fermented malt beverages on the vessel accounts for less than 50 percent of the gross receipts of all of the food and beverages served on the vessel or if the vessel has an approved passenger capacity of at least 100 individuals and the sale of intoxicating liquor and fermented malt beverages on the vessel accounts for less than 50 percent of the gross receipts of the vessel. The division may issue the permit only if the vessel leaves its place of mooring while the sale of intoxicating liquor is taking place and if the vessel fulfills the requirement under par. (c) 1m. A permit issued under this subdivision also authorizes the permittee to store intoxicating liquor purchased for sale on the vessel on premises owned or leased by the permittee and located near the vessel’s regular place of mooring. The permittee shall describe on the permit application under s. 125.04 (3) (a) 3. the premises where the intoxicating liquor will be stored. The premises shall be open to inspection by the division upon request.

125.51(5)(c)1m. 1m. An applicant for a permit under subd. 1. shall provide proof that the vessel is certified by the U.S. coast guard, classed by the American bureau of shipping, or covered by liability insurance.

125.51(5)(c)3. 3. Except as provided in this paragraph, all provisions of this chapter applying to “Class B” licenses apply to “Class B” permits issued under subd. 1.

125.51(5)(c)4. 4. A person holding a permit under subd. 1. shall keep all invoices relating to the purchase of intoxicating liquor for sale on a vessel at the location where the intoxicating liquor is customarily stored.

125.51(5)(d) (d) Permits for certain tribes.

125.51(5)(d)1. 1. In this paragraph, “tribe” has the meaning given in s. 125.27 (3) (a).