On December 6th, 2023, Governor Evers signed 2023 Wisconsin Act 73 resulting in significant alcohol beverage law (Chapter 125 of the Wisconsin Statutes) changes. Information highlighting the changes may be found in the On Tap newsletter which provides useful information on many items and a helpful chart on effective dates of the new permits, reports and other provisions.
The Village Clerk’s Office wishes to ensure all our retailers are in compliance with the new law changes and encourages you to reach out if you have any questions. The licensing year for Alcohol, Beer Garden, and Cigarette, Tobacco & Vaping Devices runs from July 1st of current year through June 30th the following year.
Applications must be submitted by mid-May to ensure no delay in issuance of needed licenses.
Operator Licenses (Bartender) Licenses are issued at any time and are valid for two years.
Temporary Class B Beer & Wine licenses are issued upon application, along with Temporary Operator Permits. To ensure timely issuance for your event, applications must be received at least two weeks prior to our Regular Village Board meeting that is held on the first Thursday of the 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.