Exciting enhancements are coming soon to eCode360! Learn more 🡪
Village of Greenville, WI
Outagamie County
By using eCode360 you agree to be legally bound by the Terms of Use. If you do not agree to the Terms of Use, please do not use eCode360.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[HISTORY: Articles I and II adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Greenville (now Village Board of the Village of Greenville) as indicated in article histories. Subsequent articles adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Greenville as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 5-19-1983 by Ord. No. 9; amended in its entirety 12-8-1997; 1-21-1998]
No initial or renewal alcoholic beverage license shall be granted for any premises for which taxes, assessments or other claims for the Village of Greenville are delinquent and unpaid.
No initial or renewal alcoholic license shall be granted to any person:
A. 
Delinquent in payment of any taxes, assessments or other claims owed to the Village.
B. 
Delinquent in payment of a forfeiture resulting from a violation of any ordinance of the Village.
C. 
Delinquent in payment to the state of any state taxes owed.
[Adopted 7-9-2012 by Ord. No. 49]
This article is adopted pursuant to authority conferred by § 125.10, Wis. Stats.
The provisions of Chapter 125, Wis. Stats., relating to the sale of fermented malt beverages and intoxicating liquors, exclusive of any provisions relating to the penalty to be imposed or the punishment for a violation, are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference. A violation of any such provision shall be a violation of this article.
The Village elects to operate under § 125.51(3)(b), Wis. Stats.
No person shall distribute, vend, sell, offer or keep for sale at retail or wholesale, deal or traffic in, or, for the purpose of evading any law or ordinance, give away any intoxicating liquor or fermented malt beverage, or cause the same to be done, without having procured a license or permit as provided in this article, nor without complying with all the provisions of this article and all statutes, ordinances and regulations of the state and Village.
[Amended 10-13-2014]
There shall be the following classes of licenses which, when issued by the Village Clerk under the authority of the Village Board, and after payment of the fee set forth in the fee schedule, shall permit the holder to sell, deal or traffic in intoxicating liquor and/or fermented malt beverages as provided in Chapter 125, Wis. Stats. (§§ 125.25, 125.26, 125.27, and 125.51).
A. 
Class "A" licensees may sell beer to consumers in original packages or containers for off-premises consumption only (§ 125.25).
B. 
Class "B" licensees may sell beer to consumers for on-premises or off-premises consumption [§ 125.26(1)].
C. 
Six-month Class "B" licenses may be issued for a period of six months in any calendar year which runs from January 1 to December 31, and is thus different from a license year which runs from July 1 to June 30. The fee for a six-month license is half of the annual license fee as set by resolution of the Village Board. Such licenses are not renewable during the calendar year in which issued. A six-month license issued from January 1 through June 30, or for the balance of the year, would not prohibit the applicant from obtaining an annual license as of July 1 of that same year.
D. 
Temporary Class "B" (picnic) beer licensees 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 only be issued to bona fide clubs and chambers of commerce, to county or local fair associations or agricultural societies, to churches, lodges or societies that have been in existence for at least six months before the date of application, and to veterans organizations, authorizing the sale of fermented malt beverages and/or wine in an original package, container, or bottle or by the glass if the wine is dispensed directly from an original package, container, or bottle, at a particular picnic or similar gathering, or at a meeting of any such post, or during a fair conducted by such fair association or agricultural society. Applications must be filed with the Village Clerk at least 15 days prior to presentation before the Village Board [§ 125.26(6), Wis. Stats.].
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
E. 
Temporary "Class B" (picnic) licensees may sell wine to consumers as provided in Subsection D above. An applicant would be exempt from the fee if at the same time the applicant has applied for a Temporary Class "B" beer license (above) for the same event. Not more than two licenses may be issued under this subsection in any twelve-month period. Background checks may be waived by the Village Clerk.
F. 
"Class A" licensees may sell intoxicating liquor to consumers only in original packages or containers for off-premises consumption. Wine taste samples are allowed of not more than three fluid ounces each, free of charge, to customers and visitors for consumption on the premises only between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. No licensee may provide more than two taste samples per day to any one person [§ 125.51(2)].
G. 
"Class B" licensees may sell intoxicating liquor to consumers by the glass for on-premises consumption. However, wine may be sold for consumption off-premises in the original package or container in any quantity.
H. 
Reserve "Class B" licenses are those licenses available under the quota system which existed before December 1, 1997, and were not granted or issued by the Village as of December 1, 1997.
I. 
"Class C" licensees may sell wine by the glass, or in an opened original container for consumption on-premises. Licenses may be granted to an applicant only if the applicant meets the qualifications set out in § 125.04(5) for other retail licensees; the license is for a restaurant in which the sale of alcohol beverages accounts for less than 50% of gross receipts; and wine is the only intoxicating liquor sold in the barroom [§ 125.51(3m)].
J. 
Provisional retail licenses may be issued to a person who applies for a Class "A," Class "B," "Class A," "Class B" or "Class C" license and it expires 60 days after its issuance or when the retail license is issued to the holder, whichever is sooner.
[Amended 4-27-2020 by Ord. No. 06-20]
An operator's license shall be issued by the Village to individuals in compliance with § 125.17, Wis. Stats. Operators' licenses shall be issued only upon written application upon the forms provided by the Village Clerk. The Village Clerk shall have the authority to issue all operators' licenses defined in § 169-8. Licenses are issued for a one-year term that expires June 30 of the term year.
A. 
Operator's license required. The provisions of § 125.68(2), Wis. Stats., and any future amendments or changes are hereby incorporated. Operators' licenses issued under this section are valid only within the Village of Greenville.
B. 
Application.
(1) 
An operator's license may not be issued unless the applicant fulfills one of the following requirements: the applicant renewing an operator's license has held a current manager's, retailer's or operator's license within the past two years; or the applicant has completed a server's training course within the last two years and shows proof. New applicants must be registered for the course and shall present a schedule at the time of application.
(2) 
A written application shall be filed with the Village Clerk, which shall include the name, residence, age and gender of applicant, as well as a statement as to whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor or ordinance violation. A background check shall be performed to determine whether the applicant has a satisfactory history.
C. 
Issuance of operator's license.
(1) 
Licenses and permits related to alcoholic beverages issued to natural persons under this article may be issued only to persons who fulfill all of the following requirements:
(a) 
The person must be at least 18 years of age.
(b) 
An applicant for an operator's license shall successfully pass a responsible beverage server's course as required in § 125.04(5), Wis. Stats., or hold a current operator's license from another Wisconsin municipality. All applicants shall provide necessary documentation to satisfy this requirement.
(c) 
An applicant shall submit a proper picture identification, including a driver's license or other acceptable form of identification.
(d) 
An applicant may be denied a license based upon his/her arrest or conviction record subject to the Fair Employment Act §§ 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, Wis. Stats., and § 125.04(5)(a)1, Wis. Stats. It is not employment discrimination to deny a license because of a pending arrest record or a conviction record if the circumstances of the charge substantially relate to the alcohol beverage licensing activity.
(e) 
An applicant may not be issued a license if they are an "habitual law offender," § 125.04(5)(b), Wis. Stats. The term "habitual" refers to multiple convictions or pending charges. The term "offender" refers to a person with criminal and/or civil violations, including ordinance convictions (or pending charges), which substantially relate to the alcohol beverage licensing activity.
(f) 
An applicant shall not be issued a license if he or she has been convicted of a felony which substantially relates to the alcohol beverage licensing activity.
(g) 
Arrests or convictions five years or older will not be considered in the operator's license review.
(2) 
An applicant who is denied an operator's license by the Village Clerk, upon written request, will be allowed to appeal that decision through a public hearing before the Village Board.
(3) 
Upon the approval of an application by the Village, the Village Clerk or his/her designee shall, upon proof of payment of a license fee, issue a license to expire on the 30th day of June within the second-term year following the issuance.
D. 
Provisional operator's license. This article authorizes the issuance of a provisional operator's license to those applying for a regular operator's license and who wish to commence work as an operator for the service or sale of alcoholic beverages before the Village Clerk will be able to decide the application. The Village Clerk or his/her designee shall have the authority to grant or deny the issuance of a provisional operator's license subject to the following conditions:
(1) 
A fee shall be paid at the time of application.
(2) 
A provisional operator's license shall not be issued to any applicant who has been denied a beverage operator's license.
(3) 
The provisional operator's license expires 60 days after its issuance or when a license is issued to the applicant, whichever is sooner.
(4) 
Applicants are limited to one provisional license per calendar year.
(5) 
At the time of application, the applicant for a provisional operator's license must present proof that the applicant is enrolled in or has completed a training course under § 125.17(6), Wis. Stats., or the applicant must present a current copy of a valid operator's license issued by another Wisconsin municipality.
(6) 
Revocation. The provisional operator's license shall be revoked by the Village Clerk if it is discovered that the holder of the provisional operator's license made a false statement on their application, or the holder fails to complete the responsible beverage server training course, or does not comply with other requirements set forth in this article.
E. 
Temporary operator's license. The Village Clerk or designee may issue a temporary operator's license subject to the following conditions:
(1) 
A written application shall be filed with the Village Clerk, which shall include the name, residence, age and gender of the applicant, together with other such pertinent information as to determine whether the applicant has a satisfactory background.
(2) 
A fee shall be paid upon application.
(3) 
A temporary operator's license shall be valid for the duration of the event defined on the application and shall be issued only to temporary Class "B" license holders or to operators employed by or donating their services to nonprofit organizations.
(4) 
No person may hold more than one two temporary licenses per calendar year.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
A. 
Qualifications. Individuals; all partners (including limited partners); the officers, directors and agents of corporations; the members, managers and agents of limited liability companies; and the officers, directors and agents on nonprofit organizations, shall meet the following requirements:
(1) 
Must be of legal drinking age;
(2) 
May not have been convicted of a felony which substantially relates to the alcohol beverage licensing activity;
(3) 
May not be an "habitual law offender" (multiple convictions or pending charges which substantially relate to the alcohol beverage licensing activity);
(4) 
Must be a resident of Wisconsin for 90 continuous days prior to the date of application (applies to all individuals, all natural persons in a partnership, and the agents of corporations and limited liability companies, but not to officers and directors of corporations, or managers of limited liability companies); and
(5) 
Must have successfully completed a responsible server training course within the last two years.
B. 
Effect of revocation of license. No license shall be issued for any premises if a license covering such premises has been revoked within six months prior to application. No license shall be issued to any person who has had a license issued pursuant to this article revoked within 12 months prior to application.
C. 
Location. No Class "A," "B," or "C" license shall be granted for any premises within 300 feet of any school, hospital or church.
D. 
Residential premises. No license shall be issued to any person for the purpose of possessing, selling or offering for sale any intoxicating liquor or fermented malt beverage in any dwelling house, flat or residential apartment.
E. 
Inspection of application and premises. The Village Clerk shall notify the Outagamie County Sheriff's Department and Fire Department Inspector of all licenses and permit applications, and these officials may inspect each application and premises to determine whether the applicant and premises comply with the regulations, ordinances and law.
F. 
Health and sanitation. No license shall be issued for any premises which do not conform to the sanitary, safety and heath requirements of the State Industrial Commission and the State Board of Health, and to all such ordinances and regulations adopted by the Village.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Subsection G, Tax delinquencies, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 10-13-2014.
G. 
Conduct and entertainment.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful to employ or use any person in the sale or service of alcoholic beverages in or upon the licensed premises while such person is unclothed or in such attire, costume or clothing which shows his/her genitals, pubic area, vulva or anus with less than a fully opaque covering or shows any portion of the areola of the female breast.
(2) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to perform or engage in, or for any licensee, manager or agent of the licensee to permit an employee or entertainer in any bar, tavern or nightclub to perform or engage in any live erotic dance or live erotic demonstration on the premises which shows his/her genitals, pubic area, vulva or anus with less than a fully opaque covering or shows any portion of the areola of the female breast.
A. 
Consent to search and investigation. Every applicant procuring a license consents to the entry of law enforcement officers or other authorized representatives of the Village, at reasonable hours, for the purpose of inspection and search, and consents to the removal of items and articles that are in violation of state regulations and Village ordinances, and consents to the introduction of such items and articles in any prosecution that may be brought for such offense.
B. 
Safety and sanitation. Each premises shall be conducted and maintained in a safe and sanitary manner.
C. 
Agents and employees. A violation of this article by an authorized agent or an employee of the licensee or permit holder shall constitute a violation by the licensee or permit holder.
D. 
Nonuse or abandonment. Any licensee issued a license to sell alcohol beverages that abandons such business shall forfeit any right or preference the licensee may have to the holding or renewal of the license. Abandonment shall be sufficient grounds for revocation or nonrenewal of the license. "Abandonment" means a refusal or failure of the licensee to use the license for the purposes for which the license was granted, for four or more months. The Village Board may, for good cause shown, extend such period.
E. 
Legal right to possession. All licensees shall show a legal right to control of the premises by purchase, deed or lease agreement.
[Amended 10-13-2014]
This article establishes a point system for the purpose of providing objective guidelines for the Village Board to consider in determining whether to suspend or revoke alcohol licenses. The point system is as follows:
Violation
Points
Sale to person under age 21 on premises or sale to intoxicated person
100
Refusal to allow search of premises or refusal to cooperate with a law enforcement investigation
100
Owner or employee sale of controlled substances
100
Violation of § 169-9, Subsection G, Conduct and entertainment
100
Failure to be licensed
100
Exceeding posted capacity
70
Open after hours
70
Failure to maintain order/disorderly conduct (including excessive noise)
70
Violation of health and sanitation rules
70
A. 
In determining accumulated points, the date of the violation shall be used as the basis for assessing points per incident. Points shall be assessed only after conviction for violations.
B. 
The Village Administrator shall notify the Village Board of any convictions which result in the assessment of points against any license. Following notification or the filing of a complaint pursuant to § 125.12, Wis. Stats., the Village Board shall hold a hearing, if required by § 125.12 or this article, and shall take the following action after first determining the number of points to be assessed against the license:
(1) 
For points totaling 70 to 200 within a twelve-month period, a warning to the licensee of the consequences of additional violations.
(2) 
For points totaling 201 to 300 within a twelve-month period, suspension of the license for a period of not less than five days nor more than 30 days.
(3) 
For points totaling more than 300 within an eighteen-month period, revocation of the license. When any license is revoked, at least six months shall elapse before another license shall be granted for the same premises, and 12 months shall elapse before any other license shall be granted to the person whose license was revoked. This section shall be construed consistent with the requirements of § 125.12, Wis. Stats.
C. 
Notwithstanding the requirements of this section, the Village Board may require the appearance of the licensee before the Board at any time.
D. 
In the event of the transfer or sale of the licensed business, all assessed points may be canceled, unless any of the following apply:
(1) 
The new licensee is related to the former licensee by blood, marriage or adoption;
(2) 
The new licensee held a business interest in the previous licensed business, real estate or equipment;
(3) 
The former licensee retains an interest in the business, real estate, or equipment used in the business; or
(4) 
The new licensee's acquisition of the business did not involve an arm's-length transaction.
E. 
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to conflict with, abridge or modify the rights, procedures or discretion established for revocation or suspension of licenses in § 125.12, Wis. Stats.
Revocations and suspensions shall comply with § 125.12(2), Wis. Stats. The Village Clerk shall give notice of each revocation and suspension to the person whose license is revoked or suspended. Any revocation shall be recorded by the Village Clerk, and no other license may be granted within 12 months of the date of revocation to the person who license was revoked. No part of the license fee may be refunded.
Refusals to renew shall comply with § 125.12(3), Wis. Stats. Prior to the time for renewal of the license, the Village Board shall notify the licensee, in writing, of the Village's intention to not renew the license, and shall provide the licensee with an opportunity for a hearing. The notice shall state the reasons for the intended action.
Refusals to issue shall comply with § 125.12(3m), Wis. Stats. If the Village Board decides not to issue a new license, it shall notify the applicant for the new license of the decision not to issue the license. The notice shall be in writing and shall state the reasons for the decision.
A. 
Outdoor consumption prohibited. Except for golf courses and temporary events approved by the Village Board, there shall be no consumption of alcohol beverages on any part of the licensed premises not enclosed within the building except as hereinafter provided.
B. 
Beer garden permits. A beer garden permit may be granted by the Village Board, in its discretion, for the consumption of alcohol beverages on a part of the licensed premises not enclosed within the building. Permits shall expire on June 30 of each year. No person shall consume or possess alcohol beverages on any unenclosed part of the licensed premises which is not described in a beer garden permit.
C. 
Restrictions on beer garden permits.
(1) 
No permit shall be granted for a beer garden if any part of the beer garden is located within 100 feet of a dwelling.
(2) 
There shall be a licensed operator within the beer garden when alcohol beverages are dispensed in the beer garden.
(3) 
No open flames may be displayed.
(4) 
The beer garden shall be clearly delineated by an attractive wall or by posted signs.
(5) 
Noise from any source that is emitted from the beer garden and measured at any border of the real property on which the licensed premises is located shall not exceed 85 dB from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 75 dB from 10:00 p.m. to close of the beer garden.
(6) 
Lighting of the area must be shielded with no intensity or brilliance that would create glare which is distracting to adjoining property owners or which could become a hazard or danger to vehicular traffic.
(7) 
The outdoor premises shall be allowed to be open during the following hours:
Sunday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Fees for licenses shall be prescribed by resolution of the Village Board, following guidelines in the statute. See the current Village Fee Schedule. Forfeitures for violations 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. See the Village's current Fines and Forfeitures Schedule, as set by ordinance.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Fine and Forfeiture Schedule is on file in the Village offices.