[Amended 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02]
The provisions of Chapter 125 of the Wisconsin Statutes, relating to the sale of intoxicating liquor and fermented malt beverages, except provisions therein relating to penalties to be imposed, are hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this article as if fully set forth herein. Any act required to be performed or prohibited by any statute incorporated herein by reference is required or prohibited by this article. Any future amendments, revisions or modifications of the statutes incorporated herein are intended to be made a part of this chapter in order to secure uniform statewide regulation of alcohol beverage control.
As used in this chapter the terms "alcoholic beverages," "intoxicating liquors," "sell," "sold," "sale," "restaurant," "club," "retailer," "person," "fermented malt beverages," "wholesalers," "retailers," "operators" and "nonintoxicating beverages" shall have the meaning given them by Chapter 125, Wis. Stats.
[Amended 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02]
No person, firm or corporation shall vend, sell, deal or traffic in or have in his possession with intent to vend, sell, deal or traffic in or, for the purpose of evading any law or ordinance, give away any intoxicating liquor or fermented malt beverage in any quantity whatever, or cause the same to be done, without having procured a license as provided in this article nor without complying with all the provisions of this article and all statutes and regulations applicable thereto, except as provided by §§ 125.26, 125.27, 125.28 and 125.51, Wis. Stats.
[Amended 6-13-2001; 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02]
There shall be the following classes and denominations of licenses which, when issued by the Village Clerk-Treasurer under the authority of the Village Board after payment of the fee set by the Village Board, shall permit the holder to sell, deal or traffic in intoxicating liquors or fermented malt beverages as provided in § 125.04(5) and (6), 125.17, 125.26(2), 125.28(1)(a), (b) and (d) and (2), 125.32(2), 125.51(2) and (3) and 125.68(2), Wis. Stats.:
A. 
Retail "Class A" intoxicating liquor license. A retail "Class A" intoxicating liquor license, when issued by the Village Clerk-Treasurer under the authority of the Village Board, shall permit its holder to sell, deal and traffic in intoxicating liquors only in original packages or containers and to be consumed off the premises so licensed.
B. 
Retail "Class B" intoxicating liquor license. A retail "Class B" intoxicating liquor license, when issued by the Village Clerk-Treasurer under the authority of the Village Board, shall permit its holder to sell, deal and traffic in intoxicating liquors to be consumed by the glass only on the premises so licensed, and in the original package or container, in multiples not to exceed four liters at any one time, and to be consumed off the premises, except that wine may be sold in the original package or otherwise in any other quantity to be consumed off the premises.
C. 
Class "A" fermented malt beverage retailer's license. A Class "A" fermented malt beverage retailer's license, when issued by the Village Clerk-Treasurer under the authority of the Village Board, shall entitle the holder thereof to possess, sell or offer for sale fermented malt beverages only for consumption away from the premises where sold and in the original packages, containers or bottles.
D. 
Class "B" fermented malt beverage retailer's license. A Class "B" fermented malt beverage retailer's license, when issued by the Village Clerk-Treasurer under the authority of the Village Board, shall entitle the holder thereof to possess, sell or offer for sale fermented malt beverages, either to be consumed upon the premises where sold or away from such premises. The holder may also sell beverages containing less than 1/2 of a per centum of alcohol by volume, without obtaining a special license to sell such beverages. A Class "B" fermented malt beverage retailer's license for brewers shall be issued pursuant to §§ 125.06(1) and 125.31(1)(a) Wis. Stats.
E. 
Special Class "B" fermented malt beverage temporary license (aka picnic license).
(1) 
A special Class "B" temporary license (aka picnic license), when issued by the Village Clerk-Treasurer under authority of the Village Board, as provided for in § 125.26(6), Wis. Stats., shall entitle the holder thereof to possess, sell or offer for sale fermented malt beverages at a particular picnic, post meeting, fair or similar gathering. Such license may be issued only to bona fide clubs, state, county or local fairs, associations or agricultural societies, lodges or societies that have been in existence for not less than six months prior to the date of application for such license or to posts of ex-servicemen's organizations now or hereafter established. Such license is valid for dates as approved by the Village Clerk-Treasurer under authority of the Village Board. Irrespective of other sections of this article, the Village Board is hereby authorized to issue a fermented malt beverage license to any local civic or any local religious or any local not-for-profit organization pursuant to this subsection.
(2) 
Application. Application for such license shall be signed by the president or corresponding officer of the society making such application and shall be filed with the Village Clerk-Treasurer together with the appropriate license fee for each day for which the license is sought. The license shall specify the hours and dates of license validity. Such license shall be valid for no more than four consecutive days. If the application is for a license to be used in a village park, the applicant shall specify the main point of sale facility.
F. 
[1]Class "C" wine license. A "Class C" wine license, when issued by the Village Clerk-Treasurer under the authority of the Village Board, shall entitle the holder thereof to sell wine by the glass or in an opened original container on the premises where sold.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection F, regarding wholesaler's license, was repealed 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02. This ordinance also renumbered former Subsection G as Subsection F.
[Amended 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02]
License fees shall be set by the Village Board. The current fee schedule shall be on file in the Village Clerk-Treasurer's office.
[Amended 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02]
A. 
Contents. Application for a license to sell or deal in intoxicating liquor or fermented malt beverages shall be made in writing on the form prescribed by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and shall be sworn to by the applicant as provided by §§ 887.01 to 887.03, Wis. Stats., and shall be filed with the Village Clerk-Treasurer not less than 15 days prior to the granting of such license. The premises shall be physically described to include every room and storage space to be covered by the license, including all rooms not separated by a solid wall or joined by connecting entrances.
B. 
Corporations. Such application shall be filed and sworn to by the applicant if an individual and by the president and secretary if a corporation.
C. 
Publication. The application shall be published once in the official village newspaper, and the costs of publication shall be paid by the applicant.
D. 
Amending application. Whenever anything occurs to change any fact set out in the application of any licensee, such licensee shall file with the issuing authority a notice in writing of such change within 10 days after the occurrence thereof.
E. 
License Quotas. No more than the number of licenses permitted under Chapter 125, Wis. Stats., shall be granted by the Village.
[Amended 6-13-2001; 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02]
A. 
Residency requirements. All classes of alcoholic beverage licenses will only be issued to those individuals who are citizens of the United States and meet the residency requirements of the State of Wisconsin per § 125.04(5)(a)2, Wis. Stats.
B. 
Applicant to have malt beverage license. No retail "Class B" intoxicating liquor license shall be issued to any person who does not have or to whom is not issued a Class "B" retailer's license to sell fermented malt beverages.
C. 
Right to premises. No applicant will be considered unless he has the right to possession of the premises described in the application for the license period, by lease or by deed.
D. 
Age of applicant. No alcoholic beverages licenses shall be granted to any underage person as defined by the Wisconsin Statutes.
E. 
Corporate restrictions.
(1) 
No license shall be granted to any corporation which does not comply with the provisions of § 125.04(6), Wis. Stats., which does not have an agent eligible for a license under this article or under state law, or which has more than 50% of the stock interest, legal or beneficial, in such corporation held by any person or persons not eligible for a license under this chapter or under the state law.
(2) 
Each corporate applicant shall file with its application for such license a statement by its officers showing the names and addresses of the persons who are stockholders together with the amount of stock held by such person or persons. It shall be the duty of each corporate applicant and licensee to file with the Village Clerk-Treasurer a statement of transfers of stock within 48 hours after such transfer of stock.
(3) 
Any license issued to a corporation may be revoked in the manner and under the procedure established in § 125.12, Wis. Stats., when more than 50% of the stock interest, legal or beneficial, in such corporation is held by any person or persons not eligible for a license under this chapter or under the state law.
F. 
Separate licenses. A separate license shall be required for each business premises where intoxicating liquor or fermented malt beverages are kept, sold or offered for sale.
G. 
License quotas. License quotas shall be as provided in Chapter 125, Wis. Stats.
The Village Clerk-Treasurer shall notify the Chief of Police and Chief of the Fire Department of each new application, and these officials shall inspect or cause to be inspected each application and the premises, together with such other investigation as shall be necessary to determine whether the applicant and the premises sought to be licensed comply with the regulations, ordinances and laws applicable thereto, including those governing sanitation in restaurants, and whether the applicant is a proper recipient of a license. These officials shall furnish to the Village Board in writing the information derived from such investigation, accompanied by a recommendation as to whether a license should be granted or refused. No license shall be renewed without a reinspection of the premises and report as originally required.
A. 
In determining the suitability of an applicant, consideration shall be given to the moral character and financial responsibility of the applicant, the appropriateness of the location and premises proposed and generally the applicant's fitness for the trust to be reposed.
B. 
No license shall be granted for operation on any premises or with any equipment for which taxes or assessments or other financial claims of the village are delinquent and unpaid.
C. 
No license shall be issued unless the premises conform to the sanitary, safety and health requirements of the State Building Code and the regulations of the State Board of Health and Village Board of Health applicable to restaurants. The premises must be properly lighted and ventilated, must be equipped with separate sanitary toilet and lavatory facilities equipped with running water for each sex and must conform to all ordinances of the village.
Opportunity shall be given by the governing body to any person to be heard for or against the granting of any license. Upon the approval of the applicant by the Village Board, the Village Clerk-Treasurer shall issue to the applicant a license, upon payment by the applicant of the license fee to the village. The full license fee shall be charged for the whole or fraction of any year.
A. 
In accordance with the provisions of § 125.04(12), Wis. Stats., a license shall be transferable from one premises to another if such transfer is first approved by the Village Board. An application for transfer shall be made on a form furnished by the Village Clerk-Treasurer. Proceedings for such transfer shall be had in the same form and manner as the original application. The fee for such transfer shall be established by the Village Board. Whenever a license is transferred the Village Clerk-Treasurer shall forthwith notify the Wisconsin Department of Revenue of such transfer.
B. 
Whenever the agent of a corporate holder of a license, for any reason, is replaced, the licensee shall give the Village Clerk-Treasurer written notice of said replacement, the reasons therefor and the new appointment. Until the next regular meeting or special meeting of the Village Board, the successor agent shall have the authority to perform the functions and be charged with the duties of the original agent. However, said license shall cease to be in effect upon receipt by the Village Clerk-Treasurer of notice of disapproval of the successor agent by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue or other peace officer of the municipality in which the license was issued. The corporation's license shall not be in force after receipt of such notice or after a regular or special meeting of the Village Board until the successor agent or another qualified agent is appointed and approved by the village and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
C. 
Whenever any licensee under this chapter shall not conduct his licensed business at the authorized location for a period of six consecutive months, the license issued to him shall lapse and become void, unless such six-month period shall be extended by the Village Board.
[Amended 6-13-2001; 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02]
All licenses shall be numbered in the order in which they are issued and shall state clearly the specific premises for which granted, the date of issuance, the fee paid and the name of the licensee. The Village Clerk-Treasurer shall affix to the license the Village Seal.
[Amended 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02]
A. 
Every person licensed in accordance with the provisions of this article shall immediately post such license and keep the same posted while in force in a conspicuous place in the room or place where said beverages are drawn or removed for service or sale.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to post such license or to be permitted to post it upon premises other than those mentioned in the application or knowingly to deface or destroy such license.
[Amended 6-13-2001; 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02]
All retail "Class A," "Class B," Class "A", Class "B" and "Class C" licenses granted hereunder shall be granted subject to the following conditions, and all other conditions of this chapter, and subject to all other ordinances and regulations of the Village applicable thereto:
A. 
Consent to entry. Every applicant procuring a license thereby consents to the entry of police or other duly authorized representatives of the village at all reasonable hours for the purpose of inspection and search and consents to the removal from said premises of all things and chapters there had in violation of village ordinances or state laws and consents to the introduction of such things and chapters in evidence in any prosecution that may be brought for such offenses.
B. 
Employment of minors. Except as otherwise authorized by §§ 125.32 and 125.68, Wis. Stats., no retail Class "B", "Class B" or "Class C" licensee shall employ any underage person, as defined the Wisconsin Statutes, but this shall not apply to hotels and restaurants. Family members may work on the licensed premises but are not permitted to sell or dispense alcoholic beverages.
C. 
Disorderly conduct prohibited. Each licensed premises shall at all times be conducted in an orderly manner, and no disorderly, riotous or indecent conduct shall be allowed at any time on any licensed premises.
D. 
Licensed operator on premises. There shall be upon premises operated under a Class "B", "Class B" or "Class C" license, at all times, the licensee, members of the licensee's immediate family who have attained the legal drinking age, and/or some person who shall have an operator's license and who shall be responsible for the acts of all persons serving, as waiters or in any other manner, any fermented malt beverages to customers. No person other than the licensee shall serve fermented malt beverages in any place operated under a Class "B" license unless they possess an operator's license, or there is a person with an operator's license who is at the time of such service upon said premises.
E. 
Health and sanitation regulations. The rules and regulations of the State Board of Health governing sanitation in restaurants shall apply to all "Class B" or "Class C" liquor licenses issued under this article. No "Class B" or "Class C" license shall be issued unless the premises to be licensed conforms to such rules and regulations.
F. 
Restrictions near schools and churches. No retail Class "A", Class "B", "Class A", "Class B" or "Class C" license shall be issued for premises, the main entrance of which is less than 300 feet from the main entrance of any established public school, parochial school, hospital or church. Such distance shall be measured by the shortest route along the highway from the closest point of the main entrance of such school, church or hospital to the main entrance to such premises. This subsection shall not apply to premises licensed as such on June 30, 1947, nor shall it apply to any premises licensed as such prior to the occupation of real property within 300 feet thereof by any school building, hospital building or church building.
[Amended 6-13-2001; 8-8-2012 by Ord. No. 1-2012; 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02]
Closing hours shall be established in conformance with §§ 125.32(3) and 125.68(4), Wis. Stats., and further restricted as follows:
A. 
Class "A" and "Class A" licenses. "Class A" liquor licensed premises may remain open for the conduct of their regular business daily between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., and Class "A" fermented malt beverage licensed premises between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight.
B. 
Class "B," "Class B" and "Class C" licenses.
(1) 
No premises for which a retail "Class B" liquor, Class "B" fermented malt beverage or "Class C" wine license has been issued shall be permitted to remain open for the sale of liquor or fermented malt beverages or for any other purpose between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., except Saturdays and Sundays when the closing hours shall be between 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(2) 
Hotels and restaurants whose principal business is the furnishing of food or lodging to patrons shall be permitted to remain open for the conduct of their regular business but shall not sell liquor or malt beverages during the closing hours of Subsection A(1) above.
C. 
Modification of closing hours. Closing hours may be modified for specific events by a majority vote of the Village Board.
[Amended 11-13-2013 by Ord. No. 2-2013; 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02]
It shall be unlawful for any person or organization, on a temporary basis, to sell or offer to sell any alcohol beverage upon any Village-owned property or privately owned property within the Village of Webster except through the issuance of a temporary Class "B" license and or temporary "Class B" wine license issued by the Village Clerk-Treasurer in accordance with Wisconsin Statutes and as set forth in this section. A temporary Class "B" license authorizing the sale and consumption of fermented malt beverages on Village-owned property or privately owned property and temporary "Class B" wine license may be authorized by the Clerk-Treasurer, provided that the following requirements are met:
A. 
General conditions of license. Groups that have been granted a Temporary Class "B" fermented malt beverage license and or temporary "Class B" wine license shall comply with the following conditions of license:
(1) 
Compliance with eligibility standards. The organization shall meet the eligibility requirements of a bona fide club, chamber of commerce, association, churches, lodge or society as set forth in § 125.26(6), Wis. Stats., and shall fully comply with the requirements of this section.
(2) 
Limitation on the number of temporary (picnic) licenses. The limitation on the number of temporary (picnic) licenses which may be issued to the same organizations:
(a) 
There is no limit on the number of temporary Class "B" (picnic) fermented malt beverage licenses that may be issued to an eligible organization in a calendar year.
(b) 
Not more than two temporary "Class B" (picnic) wine licenses may be issued to an eligible organization in any 12-month period.
(3) 
Licensed operators. All persons will be properly licensed as an operator under the provisions of Article II of this chapter on the premises at all times to supervise the service of beverages. A licensed operator shall be stationed at all points of sales at all times. All persons serving in the picnic, special event area will not be allowed to consume alcohol while serving on premises.
(4) 
Compliance with laws. Holders of Temporary Class "B" fermented malt beverage licenses and or temporary "Class B" wine license shall fully comply with all provisions of this Code and the state statutes.
(5) 
Suitable facilities. For indoor events, the structure used must have suitable exits and open spaces to accommodate anticipated attendance. It should contain adequate sanitary facilities to accommodate the size of the group.
(6) 
Posting of license. The special Class "B" fermented malt beverage license and or temporary "Class B" wine license shall be posted in a conspicuous location at the main point of sale and at all remote points of sale, and shall specify the date(s) and hours for which said license is issued.
(7) 
Insurance. The applicant for a Temporary Class "B" fermented malt beverage license and/or temporary "Class B" wine license shall be required to indemnify, defend and hold the Village and its employees and agents harmless against all claims, death of any person or any damage to property caused by or resulting from the activities for which the permit is granted. As evidence of the applicant's ability to perform the conditions of the permit, the applicant may be required to furnish a certificate of comprehensive general liability insurance with the Village of Webster. The applicant may be required to furnish a performance bond prior to being granted the permit.
B. 
Regulations concerning the sale or drinking of fermented malt beverages and/or wine in temporary or special event areas.
(1) 
Posting of license. All organizations issued a license under § 167-4E of this chapter shall post in a conspicuous location at the main point of sale facility and at all remote sales facilities a sufficient number of signs disclosing that no fermented malt beverage shall be served to any underage person or without proper age identification.
(2) 
Fencing. All organizations shall install a single fence around the main point of sale facility to control ingress and egress and shall station a licensed operator, security guard, or police officer at the entrance for the purpose of checking age identification.
(3) 
Remote site hours. The sale of fermented malt beverages from remote sites, that is, other than the main point-of-sale facility, shall be prohibited after the hour of 11:00 p.m.
(4) 
Underage persons prohibited. No underage persons as defined by the Wisconsin Statutes shall be allowed to assist in the sale of fermented malt beverages at any point of sale, nor shall they be allowed to loiter or linger in the area of any remote sale facility.
(5) 
Licensed operator. A licensed operator shall be stationed at all points of sale at all times.
(6) 
Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of minor children under the age of 18 years of age must accompany those children in the special event, temporary permitted areas at all times. Minor children under the age of 18 years who are accompanied with adult parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are only allowed in the special event, temporary permitted areas until 10:00 p.m. Anyone 18 years to fewer than 21 years of age is not allowed in the special event, temporary permitted areas unless he or she is a licensed operator who is on duty at that time.
[Amended 4-8-1999; 11-13-2013 by Ord. No. 2-2013; 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02]
A. 
Required for outdoor consumption. No licensee shall permit the consumption of alcohol beverages on any part of the licensed premises not enclosed within the building, except under permit granted by the Village Board. The licenses are a privilege in which no rights vest and therefore may be revoked by the Village Board at its pleasure at any time or shall otherwise expire on June 30 of each year. No person shall consume or have in his or her possession alcohol beverages on any unenclosed part of a licensed premises which are not described in a valid beer garden permit.
B. 
Limitations on issuance of beer garden license.
(1) 
All persons serving in the beer garden area will be licensed operators and will not consume alcohol while serving on premises.
(2) 
No more than three permits per year shall be issued to any business or organization.
(3) 
No permits shall be issued unless the application is received a minimum of 15 days prior to the event to be licensed.
(4) 
Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of minor children under the age of 18 years of age must accompany those children in the beer garden area at all times. Minor children under the age of 18 years who are accompanied with adult parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are only allowed in the beer garden area until 10:00 p.m. Anyone 18 years to fewer than 21 years of age is not allowed in the special event, picnic areas unless he or she is a licensed operator who is on duty at that time.
(5) 
The sale of fermented malt beverages from remote sites, that is, other than the main point-of-sale-facility shall be prohibited after the hour of 11:00 p.m.
C. 
Adjoining property owners to be notified of pendency of applications. All property owners within 150 feet of the proposed beer garden shall be notified of the pendency of application for a beer garden permit by first class mail.
D. 
State statutes enforced within beer garden. Every permittee under this section shall comply with and enforce all provisions of Chapter 125, Wis. Stats., applicable to Class "B" licensed premises, except insofar as such provisions are clearly inapplicable. Violation of the provisions of Chapter 125, Wis. Stats., shall be grounds for immediate revocation of the beer garden permit by the Village Board.
A. 
Procedure. Whenever the holder of any license under this chapter violates any portion of this chapter, proceedings for the revocation of such license may be instituted in the manner and under the procedure established by § 125.12, Wis. Stats., and the provisions therein relating to granting a new license shall likewise be applicable.
B. 
Automatic revocation. Any license issued under the provisions of this chapter shall stand revoked without further proceedings upon the conviction of a licensee or employee, agent or representative thereof for a second offense under this chapter or for a violation of Chapter 125 or 139, Wis. Stats., or any other state or federal liquor or fermented malt beverage laws or of any felony.
C. 
Nonrenewal of licenses. Before renewal of any license issued under this chapter is refused, the licensee shall be given written notice of any charges or violations against him or the reasons proposed for nonrenewal and a copy of any proposed motion for nonrenewal and shall have an opportunity to be heard before the Village Board.
D. 
Abandonment of premises. Any licensee holding a license to sell alcohol beverages who abandons such business shall forfeit any right or preference he may have to the holding of or renewal of such license. Abandonment shall be sufficient grounds for revocation of an alcohol beverage license. The closing of the licensed premises for at least 90 days shall be prima facie evidence of an abandonment.
[Added 3-11-1999; amended 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02]
A. 
No "Class A" liquor license shall be granted by the Village of Webster to any premises not currently licensed that fail to meet the following criteria. No "Class A" liquor license shall be granted by the Village of Webster to any premises selling goods other than alcohol beverages, excepting those items normally associated with the sale of alcohol beverages that fail to meet the following criteria:
(1) 
Separate liquor sales area. After the effective date of this article, licensees holding a "Class A" liquor license shall maintain an intoxicating liquor package goods sales area separate and distinct from other retail sales areas or keep such liquor package goods displayed behind the sales counter.
(2) 
Liquor and wine shall only be stored in a secure storage room with access restricted to employees with operator's licenses and distributors.
B. 
The applicant must provide the Webster Village Board with proof of financial responsibility demonstrating the ability to complete the development of the premises to be licensed and said project is complete at the time of application.
C. 
The applicant must furnish the Webster Village Board with a plot plan, including a floor plan, for the proposed licensed premises.
D. 
Applications will be considered annually in May for issuance on July 1 annually. Extenuating circumstances will permit the Board to vary from this requirement.
[Added 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02]
A. 
Forfeitures for violations of §§ 125.07(1) to (4) and 125.09(2), Wis. Stats., adopted by reference in § 167-1 of this article shall conform to the forfeiture penalty permitted to be imposed for violations of the comparable state statute, including any variations or increases for subsequent offenses.
B. 
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article, except as otherwise provided in Subsection A herein, or who shall conduct any activity or make any sale for which a license is required without a license shall be subject to a forfeiture as provided in § 1-18 of this Code.
C. 
Parties in violation of any provisions of this article shall, in addition to any forfeiture(s), be subject to all court costs and penalty assessment.
D. 
Nothing herein shall preclude or affect the power of the sentencing court to exercise additional authorities granted by the Wisconsin Statutes.