Business Licensing & Operations in Waukesha, WI (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for Waukesha, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Waukesha requires anyone operating an adult bookstore, adult cabaret, adult motion-picture theater or similar business to obtain an Adult Oriented Establishment license from the City under Municipal Code § 8.195. The $250 annual license covers one fixed location, must be renewed yearly, and premises with private viewing booths must meet detailed construction and lighting rules.
Adult Oriented Establishment License Waukesha
Significant RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 8.195
Except as provided in subsection (d) below, from and after the effective date of this section, no adult oriented establishment shall be operated or maintained in the City without first obtaining a license to operate issued by the City. A license may be issued only for one adult oriented establishment located at a fixed and certain place... FEES. ... A license fee of $250 shall be submitted with...
Massage Establishments
Waukesha does not run a separate city massage-establishment license desk. Municipal Code § 8.19 instead makes it illegal for anyone to perform massage services, or to employ someone who does, unless that person already holds the state massage therapy license under Wis. Stat. § 460.02, backed by its own local forfeiture penalty.
Waukesha Massage License Requirement
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 8.19
(1) No individual shall engage in any activity for which a license is required under Wis. Stat. §460.02 unless that individual is licensed as required by Wis. Stat. §460.02. (2) No person shall employ or contract the services of an individual for which a license is required under Wis. Stat. §460.02 unless that individual is licensed as required by Wis. Stat. §460.02. (3) Violations of this se...
Tobacco Retail License
Selling cigarettes or tobacco products in Waukesha requires a City license under state authority, costing $100.00 a year and expiring every June 30, applied for through the City Clerk before any sales begin.
Tobacco Retailer License Rules in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 8.08
Pursuant to the authority of sec. 134.65, Wis. Stats., a cigarette and tobacco products retailer license shall be required for any person described in sec. 134.65(1), Wis. Stats. Application for a license shall be made on a form provided by the City Clerk. ... The fee for a license issued hereunder shall be $100.00 per year and shall expire on June 30 of each year. The fee shall be paid before ...
Secondhand Dealers
Waukesha requires a separate City license for anyone buying, selling or trading secondhand articles or secondhand jewelry as a business, under Municipal Code § 8.03, apart from its pawnbroker license. Secondhand article and secondhand jewelry dealer licenses each cost $40 a year, and licensees must keep detailed transaction records and report weekly to police.
Secondhand Dealer Licensing in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 8.03
LICENSE FOR SECONDHAND ARTICLE DEALER. Except as provided in par. (b), no person may operate as a secondhand article dealer unless the person first obtains a secondhand article dealer's license under this section ... 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 section...
Pawnbrokers
Anyone operating a pawnbroker business in Waukesha needs a City pawnbroker's license under Municipal Code § 8.03, backed by a $500 bond, before lending money against or buying back pledged property. Licenses cost $210 a year, require a police background check, and every transaction must be logged and electronically reported to police.
Pawnbroker Licensing in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 8.03
LICENSE FOR PAWNBROKER. No person may operate as a pawnbroker unless the person first obtains a pawnbroker's license under this section... ... With respect to an applicant for a pawnbroker's licenses, the applicant provides to the governing body a bond of $500, with not less than 2 sureties, for the observation of all municipal ordinances relating to pawnbrokers... FEES. ... The license fees un...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Waukesha's zoning code lists auto body and engine repair as a use specifically barred from the home occupations allowed in residential districts. A resident cannot run a repair shop, detail business, or engine-work operation out of a house, garage, or accessory building anywhere in the city's residential zones, regardless of size or hours.
Home Auto Repair Businesses Banned in Waukesha
Heavy RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 22.58(5)
Home occupations and professional home offices are permitted accessory uses in any residential district, not requiring a conditional use permit, provided that: ... Home occupations shall not include auto body or engine repair, fire-arm sales or repair, ammunition sales, barbering, beauty shops, construction trades, dance studios, firewood sales and processing, insurance agencies, pet sales and ...
Towing Companies
Waukesha's Chief of Police contracts out non-consent vehicle towing, storage and immobilization, and any towing company holding that contract must staff up around the clock and back its work with a performance bond, indemnity bond or insurance certificate protecting the City.
Non-Consent Towing Contract Rules
Significant RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 7.12(6)
Towing Contract. The Chief of Police or his designee may enter into contracts for and on behalf of the city for the removal and storage or immobilization of vehicles pursuant to section (2). Any such contract shall provide that the company have adequate equipment, facilities and have personnel available twenty-four hours a day, and that such company furnish the city with an indemnification agre...
Looking for Waukesha County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Waukesha city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Waukesha County →