Number
260003
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. ZAMARRIPA
Title
A substitute ordinance relating to Department of Neighborhood Services investigation of license applications.
Sections
85-21-2-c am
90-5-7 am
Analysis
This ordinance requires a license applicant to apply for a certificate of occupancy before the Commissioner of Neighborhood Services may complete the investigation of the license application. In practice, this prevents the License Division from certifying an application as ready for committee until the applicant has applied for a certificate of occupancy. This allows the DNS to obtain the information necessary to determine whether referral to the Board of Zoning Appeals is required.
Body
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:
Part 1. Section 85-21-2-c of the code is amended to read:
85-21. Fingerprinting and Investigation Required.
2. INVESTIGATION REQUIREMENT
c. If referral of a license or permit application to the commissioner of neighborhood services, commissioner of health, commissioner of public works or chief of police for investigation is required, the commissioner or chief of police shall cause an investigation to be made and report the findings to the licensing committee of the common council within 14 days of the city clerk’s referral of the application to the commissioner or chief of police. >>The commissioner of neighborhood services may not complete an investigation until the applicant has applied for a certificate of occupancy.<<
Part 2. Section 90-5-7 of the code is amended to read:
90-5. Licensing.
7. INVESTIGATION. a. All applications shall be referred to the chief of police, the commissioner of neighborhood services and the commissioner of health, all of whom shall cause an investigation to be made and report their findings to the licensing committee of the common council. >>The commissioner of neighborhood services may not complete an investigation until the applicant has applied for a certificate of occupancy.<< For an application for a “Class A” or “Class B” license for the sale of intoxicating liquor, the report of the commissioner of neighborhood services shall include a statement as to whether the main entrance of the premises is less than 300 feet from the main entrance of any church, school, day care center or hospital.
LRB
APPROVED AS TO FORM
K. Broadnax
____________________________
Legislative Reference Bureau
Date: May 14, 2026
______________________
Attorney
IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THE ORDINANCE
IS LEGAL AND ENFORCEABLE
____________________________
Office of the City Attorney
Date: ______________________
Requestor
Drafter
LRB181587-1
Beka Bein
5/1/2026