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Business Licensing & Operations in Burlington, WI (2026)

4 verified business licensing & operations rules for Burlington, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Adult Entertainment

Burlington City Code Chapter 90 requires a City business license before any adult-oriented establishment opens, and the property must already conform to the adult-use zoning standards in § 315-12.2. Licensed establishments must close between 2:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, may not serve or allow alcohol on the premises, and face a one-year ban on relicensing after operating without a permit.

Burlington Adult Business License Rules

Significant Restrictions

Burlington City Code §§ 90-4J, 90-5A, 90-7A

The sale, use, or consumption of alcohol on the premises of an adult-oriented establishment is prohibited. ... No adult-oriented establishment shall be open between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. ... Except as provided in Subsection D of this section, no adult-oriented establishment shall be operated or maintained in the City without first obtaining a business license to operate issued ...

Tattoo & Body Modification

Burlington requires anyone operating a tattoo or body-piercing establishment, permanent or temporary, to hold a license under Wis. Admin. Code Ch. HFS 173 before opening. City Code § 284-3 also sets sanitation standards: nonporous floors, no carpeting, and a separate public toilet and handwashing station for every establishment in the City.

Burlington Tattoo & Body Piercing License

Some Restrictions

Burlington City Code § 284-3

Establishments. No person may operate a tattoo or body-piercing establishment or combination thereof on a permanent or temporary basis in the City of Burlington unless the person has obtained a license therefor pursuant to Ch. HFS 173.04(1), Wis. Admin. Code. ... Environment. Floors shall be constructed of smooth, durable and nonporous material and shall be maintained in clean condition and in ...

Tobacco Retail License

Burlington requires a Clerk-issued license before anyone sells cigarettes or tobacco products in the city, and the same chapter defines and separately restricts sale of vapor products to minors. City Code § 128-1 ties the license to a valid Wisconsin Seller's Permit.

Burlington Tobacco & Vape Retail License

Some Restrictions

Burlington City Code § 128-1

ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICE Any product, which may or may not contain nicotine or any other similar substance, intended for human consumption that can be used by a person to simulate smoking through inhalation or exhalation of vapor or aerosol from the product. ... C. License required. No person shall sell, exchange, dispose of, give away or keep for sale any cigarettes or cigarette papers or wra...

Secondhand Dealers

Burlington requires a separate City license for every junk collector, junk dealer and junkyard, backed by fingerprinting, a police and fire inspection, and a $1,000 bond. Licensed premises must be fenced at least seven feet high, and dealers cannot buy junk between sunset and 7:00 a.m.

Burlington Junk Dealer Licensing Rules

Significant Restrictions

Burlington City Code §§ 193-2A, 193-8A(2), (5)

Required. In addition to any other license required by state law, no person shall, within the City, conduct, maintain or engage in the business of junk collector or junk dealer or keep, conduct or maintain any junkyard without first having obtained and paid for a license as herein provided. ... Fence required. Each of the premises upon which the business of junk dealer is to be carried on shall...

Looking for Racine County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Burlington city rules.

Business Licensing & Operations in Racine County