LICENSES AND PERMITS:
In the
City of Madison, businesses do not need to obtain
general business operating license. City licenses
however, are required for many specific types of
businesses.
Are you
going to do ...
Business:
Beer
sales
Permit or licenses that may be required:Class A
or B license, Wholesale license,Managers license,
Operators license
Approximate time required 45 days
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: ALRC,
Common Council
Business:
Child Care
Permit or licenses that may be required: State
license, City Certification
Approximate time required:
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: City
Day Care Unit
Business:
Food or Drink Sales
Permit or licenses that may be required: Food
and Drink License, Food Service Operator
Approximate time required: 7 days minimum
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: Health
Department Staff, Building Inspection Staff, Fire
Department
Business:
Liquor and Wine
Sales
Permit or licenses that may be required: Class
A or B license, Managers license, Operators license
Approximate time required: 45 days
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: ALRC,
Common Council
Business:
Sidewalk
Merchandise Displays
Permit or licenses that may be required: Merchant
Vendor
Approximate time required: 4 weeks
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: Mall/Concourse
Operating Committee
Business:
Sidewalk Cafe
Permit or licenses that may be required: Sidewalk
Cafe License
Approximate time required: 4 weeks
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: Mall/Concourse
Operating Committee
Business:
Auto Parking on Mall
Permit or licenses that may be required: Private
Auto on Mall for deliveries
Approximate time required: same day
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: Transportation
Division Staff
Licenses
marked with an * are explained below:
- Amusement
device/Pool table
- Bartenders
- Bed
and Breakfast
- Beer,
Class A or B or wholesale* ( see Beer and Liquor
Sales )
- Bicycle
Dealer, new and second hand
- Cabaret
- Cigarettes/Tobacco
Products
- Close
Out Sale
- Dance
Clubs and Halls
- Day
Care Certification*( see Child Care )
- Food
and Drink*( see Food and Drink )
- Horse
Drawn Vehicle
- Hotel/Motel
Liquor, Class A and B* ( see Beer and Liquor Sales )
- Manager*
( see Beer and Liquor Sales )
- Massage-Establishment,
Technician or Manager
- Merchant
Vendor* ( see Sidewalk Merchandise Displays )
- Operator*
( see Beer and Liquor Sales )
- Para-Transit
Operating
- Selling
in Hotels
- Sidewalk
Cafe*( see Sidewalk Cafe )
- Street
Use Swimming poolTheater
- Tents
for Display - also requires Building permit
 |
- The
State of Wisconsin requires sellers permit
and tax identification numbers for
businesses. Contact the Wisconsin Department
of Revenue, 266-2776.
- For
tax protection, the State of Wisconsin
recommends registering your company's name
at the Dane County Register of Deeds office,
266-4141 and Wis. Secretary of State,
266-5653
|
|
Call
the City Clerk, 266-4601, for information and
application packet. |
Sale
of beer or liquor in a liquor, grocery store or in a
tavern is closely monitored. The Alcohol Licensing
Review Committee (ALRC) reviews all applications for
beer and liquor sales and makes recommendations to the
Common Council. The Common Council makes the final
decision in granting the license.
Fingerprinting
and Wisconsin residency are part of the application
requirements. All liquor and beer license applications
are published in the local newspaper. The Building
Inspection Unit, Police Department, Fire Department and
Health Department also review each application. A public
hearing is held for sites not previously licensed.
The
annual license is valid until June 30. All current
license holders receive a renewal notice and
instructions in March.
Transfer
of the license to a different location is possible upon
review and public hearing. Transfer of ownership is
possible upon review by the ALRC and approval of the
Common Council.
Businesses
selling liquor or beer need one city-licensed
manager/operator on-site at all times. Applicants for a
managers /operators license need Wisconsin residency,
and their fingerprints will be taken by the Police
Department. Some applications require ALRC review. All
applications require Common Council approval. Applicants
must complete the beverage service training program
offered at Madison Area Technical College or credit can
be given.
Child
Care:
|
Businesses
wishing to start on-site child care programs for
their employees can call 4-C for consultation |
Opening
a group child care facility in Downtown Madison involves
working with state and local agencies. In the C3 and C4
zoning districts state-licensed child care facilities
may operate without obtaining a conditional use
approval.
Call
the State Department Health and Social Services-Division
of Community Services, 249-0441, to get an information
packet on opening a day care center and obtaining a
license. The Wisconsin Child Care Improvement Project
Inc., 1-800-366-3556, has a contract with the State to
help new child care programs. They will help you prepare
for licensing review by the State.
At
the same time, start working with Community Coordinated
Child Care (4-C), 271-9181. A Dane county non-profit
agency 4-C, provides child care resources and referrals.
4-C has information on where facilities are needed and
on setting up programs. There is no charge for their
assistance.
Once
you obtain a state license, you can receive
certification from the City's Day Care Unit, 266-6520.
The City certifies child care providers based on quality
child care standards covering environment, program
activities, equipment and provider/child interactions.
Certification benefits include training and technical
assistance to improve the quality of care provided to
the children and financial assistance to meet standards
of quality.
Food
and Drink:
|
Submit
your application at least 30 days in advance of
the planned opening to allow ample time if
changes to your plan are necessary. |
Whether
your business is a restaurant or a retail store selling
food or drink you will need a Food and Drink license. In
Madison, the City issues licenses for businesses selling
food or drinks. In most other Wisconsin communities this
is handled by the State.
Contact
the City Clerk's office for a Food and Drink license
application. You need to submit your application a
minimum of 7 (seven) days in advance of the business
opening. You will need detailed plans of the kitchen
layout including the location of food handling
equipment. On-site inspection of the business, by Health
Department, Fire Department and Building Inspection,
occurs before the business is allowed to open.
All
food and drink licenses expire on June 30. All current
license holders receive an annual renewal notice. All
licensed businesses are inspected once a year or more.
Beginning in 1995 any
full-service restaurant must have at least one manager
certified as a food service operator. For information on
the food service operator training and certification
contact the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social
Services at 266-2835 or the Wisconsin Restaurant
Association at 251-3663.
Sidewalk
Merchandise Displays:
State
Street Mall/Capitol Concourse merchants may display
their merchandise outside, adjacent to their store,
during business hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The cost of the Merchant Vendor license is $75
per year.
Call
the Mall Coordinator, 266-6033, for an application.
|
If
you are interested in operating a sidewalk cafe
adjacent to your restaurant, contact the Mall
Coordinator, 266-6033, to discuss the project
feasibility |
Only
existing restaurants in downtown Madison can operate
sidewalk cafes. Restroom facilities are required and
street and sidewalk setbacks and hours of operation are
strictly regulated. Applications should include a sketch
showing the size, design of the site, number of tables
and chairs and a picture of proposed equipment with your
application.
A
summer sidewalk cafe license costs $125 per year and
requires that you have commercial general liability
insurance. Licenses expire each year on March 14. A
renewal applicant needs to file a renewal application
form and pay fees at the City Clerk's office.
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