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Business Licensing & Operations in Milton, WI (2026)

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

Verified from official government sources

Adult Entertainment

The City of Milton confines adult-oriented entertainment to a dedicated (AO) zoning district that the common council creates only case by case at a property owner's request, requiring a 1-acre lot and 30-foot setbacks on every side under Chapter 78.

Milton Adult-Oriented Business Zoning Rules

Significant Restrictions

Milton Code of Ordinances § 78-02.62

Sec. 78-02.62. - (AO) Adult-Oriented Entertainment Zoning District. ... (1)Intent. This district is intended to permit adult uses associated with significant impacts on neighboring properties, particularly related to hours of operation, establishment functions, and other potential nuisances for adjoining properties. The city will consider the use of this zoning district on a case-by-case basis ...

Tobacco Retail License

The City of Milton requires a license from the city clerk before manufacturing, selling, exchanging or giving away cigarettes or tobacco products, issued under the process the state sets out in Wis. Stats. § 134.65, and renewed annually.

Milton, WI Tobacco Retail License

Some Restrictions

Milton Code of Ordinances § 14-71

No person shall in any manner, directly or indirectly, manufacture, sell, exchange, dispose of or give away or keep for sale any cigarettes or tobacco products without first obtaining a license therefor from the clerk in the manner provided in Wis. Stats. § 134.65. This article shall not apply to jobbers or manufacturers doing interstate business with customers outside this state.

Secondhand Dealers

Milton licenses secondhand article dealers and secondhand jewelry dealers as separate categories from pawnbrokers, each with its own fee under Chapter 14, Article XII. Garage sales, estate sales, and consignment transactions are carved out of the definition.

Secondhand Dealer License in Milton, WI

Significant Restrictions

Milton Code of Ordinances §§ 14-671, 14-679

Secondhand article dealer means any person, other than an auctioneer, who engages in the business of purchasing or selling secondhand articles, except when engaged in any of the following: ... Secondhand jewelry dealer means any person, other than an auctioneer, who engages in the business of any transaction consisting of purchasing, selling, receiving or exchanging secondhand jewelry except fo...

Pawnbrokers

The City of Milton requires a common council-issued license before anyone operates as a pawnbroker within city limits. Applicants post a $1,000 bond and pass a police background check covering the prior ten years before the license is granted.

Pawnbroker Licensing in Milton, WI

Significant Restrictions

Milton Code of Ordinances §§ 14-670, 14-674(2), 14-680

No individual, partnership, corporation or other for-profit entity shall do business as a pawnbroker, secondhand article dealer or secondhand jewelry dealer without first having obtained a license for that purpose as provided for herein in this article. ... The applicant provides to the city clerk a bond of $1,000.00 with not less than two sureties for the observation of all municipal ordinance...

Auto Repair on Residential Property

Milton's zoning ordinance flatly bars vehicle and motor repair as a home occupation. City of Milton Code Sec. 78-03.28(5)(n) lists 'the sales or repair of large appliances, vehicles, or motors' among activities that are not permitted home occupations, so a residential garage repair business cannot be licensed there.

Milton WI Home Auto Repair Ban

Heavy Restrictions

Milton Code of Ordinances § 78-03.28(5)(n)

(n)The home occupation shall not involve manufacturing; processing; the sales or repair of large appliances, vehicles, or motors; commodity or equipment rental; or construction of equipment and machinery, restaurants, taverns, clubs, amusement, or entertainment establishments, or uses that dispatch persons other than the occupant of the residence or equipment from the premises are not permitted...

Looking for Rock County county-wide rules?

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

Business Licensing & Operations in Rock County