Legislation Details

File #: 251676    Version:
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 1/20/2026 In control: STEERING & RULES COMMITTEE
On agenda: Final action: 4/21/2026
Effective date: 5/9/2026    
Title: A substitute ordinance relating to notice of closure for food establishments.
Sponsors: COMMON COUNCIL
Indexes: FOOD DEALERS, FOOD SUPPLY, LICENSES
Attachments: 1. Letters in SUPPORT, 2. Aspen Swaser in support, 3. LaTashra Lee in support, 4. Nateya Taylor in support, 5. Support letter, 6. SUBSTITUTE 1 w/signature, 7. OCA Approval, 8. SUBSTITUTE 2 no signature
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultTallyAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
5/8/20262 CITY CLERK PUBLISHED   Action details Meeting details Not available
4/22/20262 MAYOR SIGNED   Action details Meeting details Not available
4/21/20261 COMMON COUNCIL PASSED

Minutes note: All Common Council members were added as co-sponsors.
Pass14:0 Action details Meeting details Video Video
4/6/20261 STEERING & RULES COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTED

Minutes note: Ald. Pratt presented. Atty. Gresham OCA Jim Cooney - License Division Manager
Pass7:0 Action details Meeting details Video Video
4/6/20262 STEERING & RULES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED FOR PASSAGE

Minutes note: Ald. Pratt and Ald. Stamper presented. Jim Cooney (License Division) and Atty, Gresham (Assistant City Attorney) testified. Ald. Burgelis, Taylor, Spiker, Zamarripa and Perez asked to be added as co-sponsors.
Pass8:0 Action details Meeting details Video Video
3/12/20261 PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE REFERRED TOPass5:0 Action details Meeting details Video Video
1/20/20260 COMMON COUNCIL ASSIGNED TO   Action details Meeting details Not available
...Number
251676
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference

Sponsor
THE COMMON COUNCIL
Title
A substitute ordinance relating to notice of closure for food establishments.
Section
68-21-5-b rc
Analysis
This ordinance requires that licensed food establishments provide written notice of intent to cease operations to the City Clerk as soon as this intent is known and at least 60 days prior to the date that operations will cease. This notification is to include the date of closure, the reason(s) for closure, and an employee notification timeline. At least 30 days prior to the date that operations will cease, notice must be posted at the entrances and exits of the establishment. Notice is not required if the closure was not reasonably foreseeable or due to natural disaster or emergency. Notice is also not required for restaurants and food trucks.

Body
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:

Part 1. Section 68-21-5-b of the code is repealed and recreated to read:

68-21. Licensure of Food Establishments; General.

5. CHANGES TO BE REPORTED

b. A licensee shall notify the city clerk in writing of his or her intention to cease operations as soon as this intent is known and at least 60 days prior to the date that operations will cease. The written notification shall include the date that operations will cease, the reasons operations will cease, and an employee notification timeline. Notice shall be posted on any entrance to or exit from the establishment at least 30 days prior to the date that operations will cease.

b-1. Exceptions. Notice shall not be required if:

b-1-a. The closure is caused by business circumstances that were not reasonably foreseeable as of the time that notice would have been required.

b-1-b. The closure is due to a natural disaster or emergency.

b-1-c. The closure affects a food establishment where the sale of meals is greater than 50% of the total food sales or a mobile or transient food establishment...

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