Business Licensing & Operations in West Allis, WI (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for West Allis, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
West Allis requires a license for any adult-oriented entertainment business under RMC § 9.59, and bars new locations within 500 feet of another such business, a residential district, or a school, church, or child care center.
West Allis Adult Entertainment License Rules
Significant RestrictionsWest Allis Revised Municipal Code § 9.59
License Required. No person may conduct a business that provides adult-oriented entertainment without first obtaining an adult-oriented entertainment license. Exceptions. No license is required under this section if any of the following applies: The person is a public or private school instructing pupils as part of its curriculum. The person is operating a licensed medical care facility enga...
Tobacco Retail License
West Allis requires a local retailer license to sell cigarettes, tobacco products, or e-cigarettes/vaping devices under RMC § 9.65, which adopts the state's licensing, application, and discipline process from Wis. Stat. § 134.65.
West Allis Tobacco Retailer License Rule
Some RestrictionsWest Allis Revised Municipal Code § 9.65
License Required. Wis. Stat. 134.65(1d) is adopted. Exceptions. (Reserved) Application Process. The application process in Wis. Stat. 134.65(2)(a) is adopted. Regulations. The regulations in Wis. Stat. 134.65 are adopted. Discipline Process. The discipline process in Wis. Stat. 134.65(5) is adopted.
Secondhand Dealers
West Allis requires secondhand article dealers to hold a city license under WAMC § 9.80, which adopts Wis. Stat. § 134.71(3) for licensing, application and discipline; secondhand jewelry dealers need a separate license under § 9.81.
West Allis Secondhand Dealer License
Some RestrictionsWest Allis Revised Municipal Code § 9.80
9.80 Secondhand Article Dealer License Required. Wis. Stat. 134.71(3)(a) is adopted. Exceptions. Wis. Stat. 134.71(3)(b) is adopted. Application Process. The application process in Wis. Stat. 134.71 is adopted. Regulations. The regulations in Wis. Stat. 134.71 are adopted. Discipline Process. The discipline process in Wis. Stat. 134.71(10) is adopted.
Pawnbrokers
West Allis requires anyone operating as a pawnbroker to hold a license under Wis. Stat. § 134.71, adopted into the city code at WAMC § 9.75, with licensing, application and discipline all handled through the state pawnbroker statute.
West Allis Pawnbroker Licensing
Some RestrictionsWest Allis Revised Municipal Code § 9.75
9.75 Pawnbroker License Required. Wis. Stat. 134.71(2) is adopted. Exceptions. (Reserved) Application Process. The application process in Wis. Stat. 134.71 is adopted. Regulations. The regulations in Wis. Stat. 134.71 are adopted. Discipline Process. The discipline process in Wis. Stat. 134.71(10) is adopted.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
West Allis does not allow vehicle repair shops in residential districts: motor vehicle service is a conditional use limited to C-2 through C-4 and I-1/I-2 zones, barred near residential property, under § 19.34.
West Allis Bars Home Auto Repair Businesses
Heavy RestrictionsWest Allis Revised Municipal Code § 19.34
Light Motor Vehicle Service C-2, C-3, C-4, I-1, I-2 No conditional use permit may be issued when adjacent to a lot zoned residential or used as residential Infrastructure Principal Use District(s) Criteria Class 1 Collocation of Mobile Service Facility All See Wis. Stat. 66.0404(4) Mobile Service Support Structure All See Wis. Stat. 66.0404(4) Public Utility Service Structure All No...
Towing Companies
West Allis charges a City-set administrative fee on every non-consent tow from a highway or private property, and requires the towing service to forward all collected fees to the City treasurer with the chief's monthly statement.
West Allis Non-Consent Towing Fee Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Allis Revised Municipal Code § 4.25
Administrative fee. The police department is authorized to charge a fee listed in the Fee Schedule for services related to the towing of vehicles from a highway under Wis. Stat. 349.13(3) or from private property under Wis. Stat. 349.13(3m). All service fees collected by a towing service under this paragraph shall be aggregated and forwarded together to the City treasurer at the same time as th...
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