CP066A (Alcohol License Advisory Committee)CITY OF JANESVILLE Policy No. 66-A
Page 1 of 4
CITY COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
Date Issued 8/19/91 General
Subject: Alcohol Licenses
Revised 3/10/08, 4/29/08,1/13/09, 5/26/2015, 1/11/2016, 1/25/2021,5/10/21, 12/8/2025
Effective Date 12/9/2025
Specific Subject: Alcohol License Advisory Committee,
Responsible Dept/Div: Clerk-Treasurer’s Office
PURPOSE
To clarify and record the composition and responsibilities of the Alcohol License Advisory
Committee (ALAC) and the Council’s policy regarding review, approval, granting, issuance,
non-issuance, and holding of alcohol beverage licenses and procedures for suspension,
revocation and non-renewal of alcohol licenses.
STATEMENT OF POLICY
1. To provide for an effective system of alcohol beverage licensing that protects the
public safety and is applied in a uniform and equitable manner, the City Council has
adopted the following written policy to govern alcohol beverage licensing in Janesville
and, without limitation, the granting, suspension, revocation, or non-renewal of
licenses.
2. This policy is intended as a supplement to assist the City Council and the Alcohol
License Advisory Committee in the City Council’s statutory authority to issue and
administer the alcohol beverage licensing process consistent with city ordinances,
state statutes, and the Wisconsin Constitution. This policy in no manner abrogates,
waives, or voids any of the rights, privileges, or authority vested by law in the
Common Council or the Alcohol License Advisory Committee.
SECTION 1. Alcohol License Advisory Committee
A. The committee shall consist of seven persons. The membership and
appointment of the committee shall be as follows:
1. Four members shall be residents of the City of Janesville, shall have
no relationship to the alcohol industry, and shall represent the public at
large. These members shall be appointed by the Council President
subject to confirmation by the Common Council following consultation
from the Advisory Committee on Appointments. The members shall be
appointed to three-year terms.
2. One member shall be a resident of the City of Janesville who has
substantial and ongoing involvement with the alcohol industry in the
City of Janesville. This member shall be appointed by the Council
President, subject to confirmation of the Common Council following
consultation from the Advisory Committee on Appointments and may
CITY OF JANESVILLE Policy No. 66-A
Page 2 of 4
CITY COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
Date Issued 8/19/91 General
Subject: Alcohol Licenses
Revised 3/10/08, 4/29/08,1/13/09, 5/26/2015, 1/11/2016, 1/25/2021,5/10/21, 12/8/2025
Effective Date 12/9/2025
Specific Subject: Alcohol License Advisory Committee,
Responsible Dept/Div: Clerk-Treasurer’s Office
be removed at any time and without cause by the Council President at
their sole discretion, and without the prior or other review or action by
the Common Council or the ALAC. This member shall be appointed
for a term of three years.
3. Two members shall be Councilmembers appointed annually by the
Common Council President.
4. The Police Chief, or their designee, shall attend all meetings of the
Alcohol License Advisory Committee to provide information and
guidance to the Committee. This individual is a non-voting attendee.
The City Attorney shall attend when matter requiring legal
interpretation or guidance appear on the agenda.
B. The purpose of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee is to assist the
Common Council in an advisory capacity in matters relating to applications
for alcohol and related licenses and to provide a research source for the
purpose of thoroughly evaluating license and permit applications and making
recommendations to the Council based on applications conforming with local
and state requirements and impact on community.
C. The main function of the ALAC will be to review application and materials,
evaluate, and make recommendations to the Common Council through the
City Manager.
D. It is recognized the Common Council has and will maintain final jurisdiction
over all matters related to and considered by the committee including, but not
limited to, license issuance, non-issuance, suspension, revocations, and
policy and ordinance amendments.
SECTION 2. Applying for a License
A. Applications for a license shall be on state prescribed forms and those also
approved by the City of Janesville.
B. Complete, signed applications, together with all required supportive
information and documentation such as proof of control of the property,
CITY OF JANESVILLE Policy No. 66-A
Page 3 of 4
CITY COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
Date Issued 8/19/91 General
Subject: Alcohol Licenses
Revised 3/10/08, 4/29/08,1/13/09, 5/26/2015, 1/11/2016, 1/25/2021,5/10/21, 12/8/2025
Effective Date 12/9/2025
Specific Subject: Alcohol License Advisory Committee,
Responsible Dept/Div: Clerk-Treasurer’s Office
seller’s permit, FEIN and business plan, should be returned to and filed with
the City Clerk-Treasurer’s Office no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 15th of the
month immediately preceding the meeting of the Alcohol License Advisory
Committee for consideration at the next committee meeting. Exceptions to
this rule will be determined by the City Clerk-Treasurer in consultation with
the City Manager. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant
and placed on the agenda when complete.
C. The following information must be filed with every application for an alcohol
license:
1. A detailed floor plan of the premises clearly showing where alcohol
will be stored, served and consumed as well as where records will be
kept. The application must include a premises description that aligns
with the floor plan.
2. No Class A, Class B, or Class C alcohol beverages license granted by
the Common Council may be issued by the City Clerk-Treasurer until
such time as all City code requirements have been met to the
satisfaction of the Building Inspector, Fire Marshall, Police Chief or
designee, and the Rock County Health Department.
3. The provisions of Section II shall apply to applications for a change in
the location of the business, applications connected with the purchase
or lease of an existing business, and applications for a new business.
4. The provisions of Section II shall not apply to Temporary Special
Event licenses issued pursuant to JGO Section 6-62.
SECTION 3. Refunds of License Application Fees
A. It is the Common Council’s policy not to refund any alcohol or operator
license application fees regardless of the reason(s) or extenuating
circumstances underlying the requests.
B. It is the Common Council’s policy that at no time, for any reason, will the
Council or the City ever refund any fees necessary for the notice publication
CITY OF JANESVILLE Policy No. 66-A
Page 4 of 4
CITY COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
Date Issued 8/19/91 General
Subject: Alcohol Licenses
Revised 3/10/08, 4/29/08,1/13/09, 5/26/2015, 1/11/2016, 1/25/2021,5/10/21, 12/8/2025
Effective Date 12/9/2025
Specific Subject: Alcohol License Advisory Committee,
Responsible Dept/Div: Clerk-Treasurer’s Office
in the local media.
SECTION 4. Temporary Class B Special Event License
A. First time applicants for a Temporary Class B Special Event License must
appear before the Alcohol License Advisory Committee and the City Council.
Subsequent applications can be approved administratively unless there is a
significant change to the location or event. Significant changes include
location changes, expanding the event outside the approved area, etc.