License and Permit Applications

Individual Licenses
		Required Forms	License Period	License Fee
	Bartender's (Class D Operator's) License - New Applicants
	Granted to individuals who sell or serve alcoholic beverages in licensed establishments. Click here for an instructional video! ¡Haga clic aquí para ver un video instructivo! Click here for intructions on how to create an account or apply online	Online Application Information	24 months, Expiring Dec 31 in year following year in which granted.	$75

	Bartender's (Class D Operator's) License - Renewal Applicants
	To use this link you must have the login credentials provided on your renewal application. Please contact our office if you need this information resent.	Online Renewal Renewal Guide	24 months, Expiring 2 years from expiration of license being renewed.	$50

	Bartender's (Class D Operator's) License, Provisional
	Issued to applicants for regular bartender licenses for the purposes of operating as bartenders during the period of time their applications for regular license are being processed.	ccl-pbart1	Up to 60 days, Expiring whenever regular license is granted or denied.	$15

	Bartender's (Class D Operator's) License, Temporary
	Issued to those operators employed by or donating their services to a non-profit corporation.	ccl-tbart1	Not more than 14 consecutive days.	$15

	Bicycle License
	Registration is optional for city residents. Registering your bicycle can help the police return it to you if it is stolen.	Online Registration	Indefinitely, following the bicycle. Changes of ownership can be made to license.	$0

	Class "B" Manager's License
	Required of any Class "B" alcohol beverage retail establishment whenever the licensee is not the manager of the business.	ccl-bmgr1	12 months, Expiring June 30	$25

	Driver's License, Public Passenger Vehicle
	License required for every person driving a public passenger vehicle, except motorbuses operated by a transportation company. Any person driving a vehicle used for the transportation of elderly or handicapped persons, regardless of whether the vehicle of such organization is licensed or otherwise regulated by the state of Wisconsin as a human service vehicle for the transportation of elderly or handicapped persons, is also required to possess a Public Passenger Vehicle Driver's License.	ccl-drn1 ccl-iinfo	24 months, Expiring two years from date of issuance	$75

	Home Improvement Salesperson's License
	License required for any person who solicits or sells any place within the city, other than at the licensed business location, must be licensed as a salesperson. Exemptions: Individuals, corporations which include only one person, or limited liability companies having only one member, which have been issued a home improvement contractor license, or licensed master plumbers licensed under the statutes of the state of Wisconsin, or licensed electrical contractor licensed under the code need not have a salesperson's license.	ccl-his1 ccl-iinfo	24 months, Expiring two years from date of issuance	$75

	Ice Cream Peddler Permit
	A permit is required of every person selling ice cream or similar frozen confections on the public way.	ccl-ice1 ccl-iinfo	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	$75

	Individual Provisional Renewal
	Issued to applicants who are renewing individual licenses for the purposes of operating during the period of time when their applications for renewal are being processed to prevent a lapse in licensure.	ccl-provind1	Up to 60 days, Expiring whenever regular license is granted or denied	$15

	Mobile Seller's License
	License required for any Direct Sellers or Transient Merchants. Direct Sellers include any person who sells goods or takes orders for later delivery of goods on any public way or door-to-door. Transient Merchants include any person who engages in the business of selling merchandise at any fixed place temporarily.	ccl-msel ccl-iinfo	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	$130

	Municipal Identification Card
	Photo identification card for City of Milwaukee residents. Click here for an instructional video! ¡Haga clic aquí para ver un video instructivo! Nyem qhov no saib cov video qhia ntawv!	Application (English) Application (Spanish) Application (Hmong)	Expires 5 years from the date of issuance	$10

Business Licenses
A		Required Forms	License Period	License Fee
	Alarm Business License (See Private Alarm System Business License.)

	Amusement Machine Distributor's License
	Granted to persons who lease, rent, or place with others one or more amusement machines for use in the city.	ccl-adistapp ccl-businfo	Expires 2 years from the date of issuance	$850

	Auto Wrecker's License (See Recycling, Salvaging, or Towing Premises License.)

B
	Bill Poster
	Required for those engaged in the business of outdoor advertising for a cash consideration by placing, posting or painting on billboards, ground or roof signs, displays, or on the walls of buildings to advertise goods or products to announce coming events attractions or contests.	Information sheet ccl-businfo	24 months, Expiring two years from date of issuance	$400

	Bowling Alley (See Public Entertainment Premises License.)

	Business Provisional Renewal
	Issued to applicants who are renewing business licenses for the purposes of operating during the period of time when their applications for renewal are being processed to prevent a lapse in licensure.	ccl-provbus1	Up to 60 Days, Expiring whenever regular license is granted or denied	$15

C	[ Top ]
	Carnival Site (See Public Entertainment Premises, Temporary.)

	Cigarette and Tobacco License
	License required for those selling, bartering or giving away cigarette or tobacco products.	ccl-cigapp ccl-businfo ccl-busplan	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance [ 1 ]	$100

	Class "A" Fermented Malt Beverage Retailer's License
	Authorizes the retail sale of fermented malt beverages for consumption away from the licensed premises. No sales allowed between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.	ccl-alc (includes State forms) ccl-alcpeppln ccl-businfo ccl-busplan ccl-pepapp (if applicable) ccl-cigapp (if applicable) ccl-foodplan	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	$350 + $10 publication fee.

	Class "A" Liquor and Malt Retailer's License (Liquor Store)
	Authorizes the retail sale of intoxicating liquors and fermented malt beverages for consumption away from the licensed premises. No sales allowed between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.	ccl-alc (includes State forms) ccl-alcpeppln ccl-businfo ccl-busplan ccl-pepapp (if applicable) ccl-cigapp (if applicable) ccl-foodplan	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	$850 + $10 publication fee.

	Class "B" Fermented Malt Beverage License
	For the consumption of fermented malt beverages on the licensed premises. (This license may be applied for in conjunction with the Class "C" Wine License; a single combined application can be filed.)	ccl-alc (includes State forms) ccl-alcpeppln ccl-businfo ccl-busplan ccl-pepapp (if applicable) ccl-cigapp (if applicable) ccl-foodplan ccl-side (if applicable)	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	$100 + $10 publication fee.

	Class "B" Special Fermented Malt Beverage License
	Authorizes the holder to sell, barter, or give away retail beer and/or wine, at a specific picnic, festival or similar event. It does not permit the sale or service of liquor.	Class "B" Special	Up to 2 events per 12-month period	$10

	Class "B" Tavern License
	For the consumption of intoxicating liquors and fermented malt beverages on the licensed tavern premises.	ccl-alc (includes State forms) ccl-alcpeppln ccl-businfo ccl-busplan ccl-pepapp (if applicable) ccl-cigapp (if applicable) ccl-foodplan (if applicable) ccl-side (if applicable)	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	$600 + $10 publication fee.

	Class "C" Wine License	[ Top ]
	Allows the licensee to sell, offer for sale, barter or give away wine by the glass or in an opened original container for consumption on the premises. The license may only be granted to restaurants in which the sale of alcohol beverages is less than 50% of the gross receipts. Foreign Corporations may not hold this type of license. (This license may be applied for in conjunction with the Class "B" Fermented Malt Beverage License; a single combined application can be filed.)	ccl-alc (includes State forms) ccl-alcpeppln ccl-businfo ccl-busplan ccl-pepapp (if applicable) ccl-cigapp (if applicable) ccl-foodplan ccl-side (if applicable)	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	$100 + $10 publication fee.

D
	Dwelling Facilities License
	License required for any for-profit business which operates a premise used for living or sleeping by occupants, includes hotels, motels and rooming houses	ccl-dwell ccl-businfo ccl-busplan	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	Based on number of rooms in the the establishment

E	[ Top ]
	Extended Hour Establishment
	License required for any convenience store, recording studio, filling station, personal service establishment or restaurant open at any time between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. Click here for an instructional video! ¡Haga clic aquí para ver un video instructivo!	ccl-24hrinfo ccl-businfo ccl-busplan	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	$250

F

	Filling Station
	A license is required for all gas stations dispensing to the public gasoline or other fuels for use in motor vehicles of any kind.	ccl-fill ccl-busplan ccl-businfo	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	$275

	Food Dealer License
	A license is required of every person, partnership, association or corporation that manufactures, offers for sale, stores, distributes or sells food in the City of Milwaukee. This application is for use by businesses operating in their own space.	ccl-foodplan ccl-businfo ccl-busplan	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	License fee varies based upon items sold.

	Food Dealer License For Shared Kitchen Users
	A license is required of every person, partnership, association or corporation that manufactures, offers for sale, stores, distributes or sells food in the City of Milwaukee. This application is for use by businesses operating in a shared kitchen space such as a mobile vendor or caterer operating out of another licensed food dealer's kitchen.	ccl-businfo ccl-foodshareapp	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	License fee varies based upon items sold.

	Food Dealer Temporary Event
	Individuals selling food at festivals must obtain a permit to do so for each booth at each festival. (Business application not required) Click here for an instructional video! ¡Haga clic aquí para ver un video instructivo!	ccl-foodevent	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	License fee varies based upon items sold.

	Food Dealer Temporary Extension
	A license is required for any food dealer that wishes to extend its food preparation temporarily to the outside. See Temporary Change of Plan Permit

	Food Peddler
	A permit is required of every person who sells food in the City of Milwaukee from a pushed, pedaled, pulled or motorized vehicle or from a carried container on the public way.	ccl-foodped1 ccl-businfo	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	License fee varies based upon the mobile unit

	Full Service Retailer
	Producer permittees may apply for full-service retail sales on or off the production premises. Producer permittees include brewers, rectifiers, manufacturers, and wineries.	Full Service Retail Application

	Full-Service Retail Outlet, Request for Unlimited Transfer	ccl-utfsro	Duration of events listed on the request	$10
	Producers may submit a Request for Unlimited Transfer Full-Service Retail Outlet if they intend on selling products at an event not held on the production premises, including fixed full-service retail premises. The permit is issued by the State of Wisconsin, while approval for permit issuance is granted by the City of Milwaukee.

H
	Handicapped and Elderly Vehicle
	License is required for those who wish to transport handicapped and elderly persons who by reason of physical or mental infirmity or age cannot be transported on public mass transportation vehicles. This license is not required for operating in the city of Milwaukee if the intention is to transport people in a vehicle that is utilized as a Human Services Vehicle, and if the licensee is being reimbursed by State issued insurance. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles.	ccl-ppvapp ccl-businfo ccl-ppvintent (if applicable)	24 months, Expiring two years from date of issuance	$284

	Home Improvement Contractor's License
	License required for those engaged in the business of installing, repairing, servicing, improving, or remodeling any permanent installation or improvement attached to an existing home or building used for residence purposes but not exceeding 6 living units.	ccl-hicapp ccl-businfo	24 months, Expiring two years from date of issuance	$250

	Horse and Surrey Livery Service
	Permit required for persons to engage in the business of operating a horse-drawn surrey for hire. Click here for an instructional video! ¡Haga clic aquí para ver un video instructivo!	ccl-ppvapp ccl-businfo ccl-ppvintent (if applicable)	24 months, Expiring two years from date of issuance	$284

	Hotel/Motel License (See Dwelling Facilities License)

J
	Junk Collector License (See Recycling, Salvaging, Towing Vehicle License.)

	Junk Dealer License (See Recycling, Salvaging, Towing Premises License.)

L
	Limousine
	Permit required for persons engaged in a for-hire transportation business on a pre-reserved contract service basis only. Click here for an instructional video! ¡Haga clic aquí para ver un video instructivo!	ccl-ppvapp ccl-businfo ccl-ppvintent (if applicable)	24 months, Expiring two years from date of issuance	$284

	Loading Zone License
	Establishes loading and unloading zones for the use by the general public for the purposes of, and while actively engaged in, loading or unloading property or passengers.	ccl-lzinfo	24 months, Expiring two years from date of issuance	$275 for each 30 feet of curb space, or fraction thereof.

M
	Massage Establishment License
	A license is required for any person or business operating a massage establishment where the primary or secondary function is to offer massage	ccl-mass ccl-businfo ccl-busplan	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	$350

P
	Parking Lot License
	License required for those conducting a business of storing motor vehicles, for a fee, with spaces for more than 15 cars.	ccl-plplan ccl-businfo ccl-busplan	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	$50

	Pawnbroker (See Secondhand Dealer License.)


	Permanent Extension of Alcohol or Food Premises	ccl-permext1
	License required for establishment owners who wish to extend their premises to a new area on a permanent basis, whether the extension is inside or outside. (Business application not required)		Permanent	$50 for alcohol or food; $75 for both

	Precious Metal and Gem Dealer License (See Secondhand Dealer License.)


	Private Alarm System Business License
	License required for those engaged in the selling, leasing, renting, installing, monitoring, servicing, altering, moving or causing any alarm system to be sold, leased, rented, installed, monitored, serviced or altered in or on any building, place of business, structure, residence or other facility. Included in this definition are holders of alarm system contracts.	ccl-pasapp ccl-businfo	24 months, Expiring two years from date of issuance	$300 [3]

	Private Waste Collector
	License required for those collecting or transporting waste materials on any street or alley in the city of Milwaukee.	ccl-pwcapp ccl-businfo	24 months, Expiring two years from date of issuance	$65 per vehicle.

	Public Entertainment Premises License
	License required to permit dancing by patrons and to permit the holding of certain shows and exhibitions upon premises. Click here for an instructional video! ¡Haga clic aquí para ver un video instructivo!	ccl-pepapp ccl-businfo ccl-busplan ccl-alcpeppln	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance of related alcohol license	Based on capacity of premise

	Public Entertainment Premises, Temporary Permit
	License required to permit--on a temporary basis--dancing by patrons and to permit the holding of certain shows and exhibitions upon premises. (Business application not required) Click here for an instructional video! ¡Haga clic aquí para ver un video instructivo!	ccl-tpep	Not more than 4 consecutive days. (up to 14 days for carnivals)	$50 for applications filed on or before filing deadline; $75 for applications filed after the filing deadline

R
	Recycling, Salvaging, or Towing Premises
	License Required for any premises in the city used in the business of recycling, salvaging, or non-consensual towing.	ccl-rstp ccl-businfo ccl-busplan	24 months, expiring two years from the date of issuance	$344

	Recycling, Salvaging, or Towing Vehicle
	License Required for any vehicle used in the business of recycling, salvaging or non-consensual towing of repossessed vehicles where the business does not have a premises in the city.	ccl-rstv ccl-businfo	24 months, expiring two years from the date of issuance	$188 for one vehicle $344 for two or more vehicles
S	[ Top ]
	Secondhand Dealer License
	License required for those in the business of selling, purchasing, or exchanging secondhand articles of personal property.	ccl-shdplan ccl-businfo ccl-busplan ccl-wm (when applicable)	24 months, Expiring two years from date of issuance	$275 $75 (bicycles only)

	Secondhand Motor Vehicle (Used Car) Dealer's License
	License required for those engaging in the business of buying, selling, exchanging, or dealing in used or secondhand motor vehicles. (Retail or Wholesale) Click here for an instructional video! ¡Haga clic aquí para ver un video instructivo!	ccl-ucarplan ccl-businfo ccl-busplan	24 months, Expiring two years from date of issuance	$290

	Self-Service Laundry Registration
	Registration is required for an establishment used by the general public to wash or dry clothes or other fabrics.	ccl-laun ccl-businfo ccl-busplan	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	$125

	Sidewalk Dining Facility Permit

	License required for a restaurant or alcohol beverage licensee who provides outside seating in the public right of way for customers to consume food or beverages	ccl-side ccl-businfo ccl-busplan	12 months, Expiring with the food dealer or alcohol beverage license	License fee varies based on square footage of the sidewalk dining facility

	Shuttle Vehicle
	Permit required for persons operating a privately owned vehicle engaged in the business of carrying passengers in a shared ride service for hire on a fixed route and fixed schedule to and from predetermined locations, or in a group travel service for hire on a pre-reserved basis only, provided that the vehicle has a passenger-carrying capacity of 5 or more persons, excluding the driver. Click here for an instructional video! ¡Haga clic aquí para ver un video instructivo!	ccl-ppvapp ccl-businfo ccl-ppvintent (if applicable)	24 months, Expiring two years from date of issuance	$284

	Snow Plowing Business License
	License required for those engaging in the business of removing snow or ice from the public sidewalks or public alleys of the city by means of motorized sweepers or plows.	ccl-spbapp ccl-businfo	12 months, Expiring one year from date of issuance	$10

	Special Class "B" Beer and Wine (See Class "B" Special Fermented Malt Beverage License.)

T	[ Top ]
	Tattoo and Body Piercing
	License required for those inserting pigment under the skin of a person by needle or otherwise to leave a permanent mark or those perforating any body part or tissue, except an ear, to insert a foreign object to prevent the perforation from closing.	ccl-tbp ccl-businfo ccl-busplan	12 months, From July 1 to June 30 Annually	License fee varies based upon services offered.

	Temporary Tattoo and Body Piercing
	License required for those inserting pigment under the skin of a person by needle or otherwise to leave a permanent mark or those perforating any body part or tissue, except an ear, to insert a foreign object to prevent the perforation from closing at a temporary event	ccl-temptbp	Duration of the event	$175

	Taxicab
	Permit required for public passenger vehicles with 3 or more doors that operate without a fixed route or schedule and which are available for hire upon demand for service including by hail on the street, or upon telephonic or other electronic request, and is equipped with a taximeter. Click here for an instructional video! ¡Haga clic aquí para ver un video instructivo!	ccl-ppvapp ccl-businfo ccl-taxiintent (if applicable)	24 months, Expiring two years from date of issuance	$400

	Temporary Change of Plan Permit
	Authorizes the licensee to temporarily deviate from the plan of operation on file with our office. Deviations include change of hours or age restriction, extension of premises, change of capacity, and change of entertainment.	ccl-tcop	Event specific.	$50 for applications filed on or before filing deadline; $75 for applications filed after the filing deadline
	Temporary Extension of Premises is now Temporary Change of Plan Permit


U	[ Top ]
	Used Bicycle, Tire or Battery Dealer's License (See Secondhand Dealer License for Bicylces Only. See Recycling, Salvaging, or Towing Premises License for other operations of combinations thereof.)
	License required for those engaging in the business of buying, selling, exchanging, or dealing in used or secondhand bicycles, bicycle parts, tires and batteries.

	Used Car Dealer's License (See Secondhand Motor Vehicle Dealer's License.)

W
	Waste Tire Generator (See Recycling, Salvaging, or Towing Premises License.)

	Waste Tire Transporter (See Recycling, Salvaging, Towing Vehicle License.)

	Weights and Measures License
	License required for businesses using weighing and measuring devices for commercial use within the city.	ccl-businfo ccl-wm	12 months or 24 months depending on type	Varies, depending on type

	Notes:
[ 1 ]	If this type of license is issued to an alcohol beverage retail establishment, then the license expires at same time as the alcohol beverage license.

	[ Top ]

Common Council City Clerk - License Division

Contact Us

City Clerk – License Division
City Hall Room 105
200 E. Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Directions | Hours

414-286-2238

Email Us! Take Our Survey!

Get Email & Text Notifications

Please wait while we gather your results.

Welcome to the City of Milwaukee

Residents

Open for Business

Refine Search

License and Permit Applications

Individual Licenses

Business Licenses

A

Required Forms

License Period

License Fee

B

C

Class "B" Special Fermented Malt Beverage License

D

E

F

H

J

L

M

P

R

S

T

U

W

[ 1 ]

Contact Us

City Clerk - License Division

Established in 1846, the City of Milwaukee is home to nearly 600,000 residents and is a city built on water with over 10 miles of lakefront shoreline. With three rivers and a Great Lake, water plays a key role in the city’s history, identity, and economy. About Us | Choose Milwaukee | Contact Us

Mayor's Office

City of Milwaukee

Common Council

Menu

Established in 1846, the City of Milwaukee is home to nearly 600,000 residents and is a city built on water with over 10 miles of lakefront shoreline. With three rivers and a Great Lake, water plays a key role in the city’s history, identity, and economy.
About Us | Choose Milwaukee | Contact Us