Business Licensing & Operations in Kenosha, WI (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Kenosha, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Kenosha's general code does not set a separate adult-business permit or spacing rule of its own; instead Section 11.085 makes it unlawful for anyone in control of an Adult Use, as that term is defined in the City's separate Zoning Ordinance, to knowingly let a person under eighteen onto the premises, except when Wisconsin's HFS 173.05 administrative rule authorizes it.
Kenosha Bars Minors From Adult-Use Sites
Some RestrictionsKenosha Code of General Ordinances § 11.085
11.085. - Minors Prohibited—Adult Uses. It shall be unlawful for any person, party, firm or corporation to knowingly permit any person under the age of eighteen (18) years of age to be present upon the premises of any Adult Use, as defined in Section 12.0.B.7. of the City of Kenosha Zoning Ordinance, except where authorized under HFS 173.05, Wisconsin Administrative Code.
Massage Establishments
Kenosha requires a Common Council license before anyone may operate a massage establishment or practice massage or bodywork for pay. City Code § 13.125 sets a $100 annual fee, a 75-foot buffer from residential entrances, and bars operation between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Kenosha Massage Establishment License Rules
Significant RestrictionsKenosha, WI Code of General Ordinances § 13.125
It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation or other legal entity to suffer, cause or permit the operation of a massage establishment or for a person to engage in the practice of massage therapy or body work or perform massage therapy of body work for gain as a massage therapist, bodywork therapist, agent, manager or employee, except in strict compliance with this section. ... No establish...
Tobacco Retail License
Selling cigarettes or tobacco products in Kenosha requires a Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer License under Section 13.09.B: no one may sell, expose for sale or give away cigarettes or tobacco without holding that City license or a matching state permit, and the license runs annually from July 1 for a flat $100 fee.
Kenosha Tobacco Retailer License, $100 Fee
Some RestrictionsKenosha Code of General Ordinances § 13.09.B
B.Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer License.1.No person shall in any manner, or upon any pretense, or by any device, directly or indirectly sell, expose for sale, possess with intent to sell, exchange, barter, dispose of or give away any cigarettes or tobacco products to any person not holding a license as herein provided or a permit under Wis. Stats. §§ 139.30 to 139.41 or 139.79, withou...
Secondhand Dealers
Kenosha licenses secondhand article dealers separately from secondhand jewelry dealers, at $100 and $500 a year respectively. Purchased secondhand articles must sit unaltered on the dealer's premises for 21 days, letting police check for stolen goods before resale.
Kenosha Secondhand Dealer License Rules
Significant RestrictionsCode of General Ordinances § 13.02
C.License for Secondhand Article Dealer.1.Except as provided in Subsection 2., no person may operate as a secondhand article dealer unless the person first obtains a secondhand article dealer's license under this Section.D.License for Secondhand Jewelry Dealer. No person may operate as a secondhand jewelry dealer unless the person first obtains a secondhand jewelry dealer's license under this S...
Pawnbrokers
Kenosha requires anyone lending money on pledged goods to hold a $1,000-a-year pawnbroker's license and post a $500 bond. Every pawned or purchased item must sit on the shop's premises for at least 30 days before it can be resold, giving victims of theft a recovery window.
Kenosha Pawnbroker License Requirements
Significant RestrictionsCode of General Ordinances § 13.02
B.License for Pawnbroker. No person may operate as a pawnbroker unless the person first obtains a pawnbroker's license under this Section.H.Fees. The license fees under this Section are:1.For a Pawnbroker's License, one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).G.1.b.With respect to an applicant for a pawnbroker's license, the applicant provides the City Clerk with a five hundred dollar ($500.00) bond, with...
Towing Companies
Kenosha requires wreckers who tow vehicles at the Police Department's request, including disabled, abandoned, illegally parked or evidence vehicles, to hold a City towing license under § 13.12. Licensees rotate assignments by Class I, II and III lists and must run 24-hour service under a fixed rate schedule.
Kenosha Non-Consent Tow License Rules
Significant RestrictionsKenosha, WI Code of General Ordinances § 13.12
Motor vehicles must, of necessity, be removed from public or private property at the request of the City Police Department without the owner's permission, where said vehicles: are disabled, are abandoned, constitute a public or private nuisance, are illegally parked, are evidence, are stolen, or are or were in the ownership or control of a prisoner or dead or disabled person who is unable to pe...
Looking for Kenosha County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kenosha city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Kenosha County →