Janesville, WI Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Existing businesses got 60 days from passage of the ordinance to apply; new operators file with the City Clerk-Treasurer, listing every principal, officer and shareholder, a scaled floor-plan diagram, proof of ownership or lease, and a diagram showing the site meets zoning and distancing requirements. The Police Department reviews every application, and the Clerk-Treasurer must grant or deny it within 21 days under § 4-4. Licenses run on a fixed term ending June 30 each year and must be renewed by that date under § 4-8.

Operators cannot let anyone under 18 enter or view adult entertainment, cannot permit patron-performer touching of specified body areas, and cannot keep the business open between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Monday through Friday or between 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday under § 4-9. Nudity is separately barred on any premises that is or should be alcohol-licensed. The City Council can suspend, revoke or refuse to renew a license after a hearing under § 4-12, and a revoked or non-renewed licensee cannot get a new license for two years, nor can the same premises be relicensed for six months. Appeals of a Council decision go to Rock County circuit court under Wis. Stat. § 68.13.