The Village Clerk’s Office is committed to helping retailers comply with all applicable state laws and regulations. Retailers are encouraged to contact the Clerk’s Office with any questions regarding licensing requirements.
Updates on recent news and licensing changes are published in the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s On Tap newsletter, available here:
https://www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/AlcoholBeverage/DOR-on-Tap-Archive.aspx
The licensing year for Alcohol, Beer Garden, and Cigarette, Tobacco, and Vaping Devices licenses runs from July 1 through June 30 of the following year. Renewal applications must be submitted by mid-May to avoid delays in the issuance of required licenses.
If an existing retailer changes Agents during the licensing year, a new Appointment of Agent form and Individual Questionnaire must be submitted as soon as the change occurs.
New license applications may be submitted at any time during the year. Fees for Alcohol and Cigarette, Tobacco, and Vaping Devices licenses will be prorated based on the date of issuance.
Operator (Bartender) Licenses may be issued at any time and are valid for a two-year period.
Temporary Class B Beer and Wine licenses are issued upon application, along with Temporary Operator Permits. To ensure timely consideration, applications must be received at least two weeks prior to the regular Village Board meeting, which is held on the first Thursday of each month.
Please find License Applications below and/or at the DOR web pages WI DOR Alcohol Beverages and DOR Tobacco
Alcohol Licensing Applications – Retail Sales
The purpose of licensing in the State of Wisconsin is to better ensure the public health and welfare of Wisconsin residents. The State of Wisconsin requires all persons who vend, sell, deal or traffic intoxicating liquors or fermented malt beverages; Cigarette, Tobacco or Vaping Devices to be licensed with their local government. See Publication 302 “Information for Wisconsin Alcohol Beverage & Tobacco Retailers” for additional information.
Operator (Bartender) Application
All Operator licenses require a background check review prior to Village Board approval and issuance.
An operator’s license will be acted on during the next available Village Board meeting (first Thursday of the month), so paperwork will need to be received in the Village Clerk’s office at least two weeks prior to the posting of that month’s agenda. An operator’s license is good for 2 years. A provisional operator’s license will be issued without Board approval which is subject to approval by the Clerk. The license can be issued in most cases upon application, but at most within four business days. The provisional operator’s license is good for 60 days.
You may work as a bartender without a license as long as the Agent of the business or someone with a current valid Village of Trempealeau Operator’s license is within sight of them at all times. No one should ever bartend alone without holding a current Village of Trempealeau license.
Applications should be completed in full and submitted with fees; a copy of your driver’s license and a copy of your class certificate for the safe server/bartenders course. Click below to download the application for Operator’s/Provisional Operator’s License.
Temporary Class B – Beer and Wine (Picnic) License & Temporary Operator Applications
Temporary Class “B” – (picnic) beer licenses may sell beer and other fermented malt beverages (e.g., wine coolers with a fermented malt beverage base) to consumers at a picnic or similar gathering of limited duration.
Such licenses may be issued only “to bona fide clubs, to county or local fair associations or agricultural societies, to churches, lodges or societies that have been in existence for at least six months…and to veterans’ organizations.”
Cigarette, Tobacco & Vapor Device Licensing Applications – Retail Sales
Changes effective March 6, 2024. Wisconsin law made significant changes to municipal licensing and regulation of cigarette, tobacco, and vapor products, including:
• Requiring retailers that sell electronic vaping devices to obtain a retail license from their municipality
• Creating minimum standards for persons to hold a municipally-issued retail license
• Requiring municipalities to use a retail license application form created by DOR
Due to the new minimum licensing standards, all existing retail licensees must apply for their licenses using the new forms below at the time of or prior to renewal of their existing license.