Investigation; Issuance.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 92-7
in effect92-7. Investigation; Issuance.
1. Each application for a license shall be referred to the chief of police, who shall make and complete an investigation of the applicant’s criminal history in accordance with s. 85-21-2. If the chief of police files no written report summarizing the arrest and convictions of the applicant which could form the basis for denial of the application, the city clerk shall issue the license.
2. If the chief of police files a written report summarizing the arrest and convictions of the applicant which could form the basis for denial of the application, except as provided in sub. 3, the application shall be forwarded to the licensing committee for its recommendation as to whether or not a license should be issued. The committee shall forward its recommendation in writing to the common council for vote at the next meeting at which such matter will be considered.
3. If the chief of police files a written report summarizing the arrest and convictions of the applicant which could form the basis for denial of the application, the city clerk shall, in lieu of forwarding the application to the licensing committee for a hearing under sub. 2, issue the license with a warning letter to the applicant whenever all of the following are true:
a. The applicant has no more than one pending charge for a misdemeanor offense, and the pending charge is related to a nonviolent offense.
b. The applicant has not, within 12 months of the date of application, been convicted of any misdemeanor offense related to a violent offense.
c. The applicant has not, within 12 months of the date of application, been convicted of more than one misdemeanor offense or municipal code violation.
d. The applicant has not, within 3 years of the date of application, been convicted of more than 3 misdemeanor offenses and municipal ordinance violations.
e. The applicant has not, within 5 years of the date of application, been convicted of more than one felony offense and has not within 5 years of the date of application served probation or been imprisoned for any felony conviction.
f. The applicant has not, within 10 years of the date of application, been convicted of a second or subsequent offense related to operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
4. In determining the eligibility of the applicant to be issued a warning letter under sub. 3, the city clerk shall not consider either of the following:
a. Any pending charges or convictions of any misdemeanor or felony offenses related to failure to pay child support.
b. Any one conviction of a misdemeanor offense or municipal ordinance violation related to retail theft for which the applicant was not imprisoned.
5. In determining the number of pending charges under par. 3-a and convictions under par. 3-b to f, any pending charges or convictions arising out of the same incident or occurrence shall be counted as one pending charge or conviction.
6. Notwithstanding the provisions of subs. 3 and 4, an applicant who meets the criteria of those subsections shall have his or her application forwarded to the licensing committee if a written objection to the application is filed by any interested party.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH92.pdf#page=3Fetched: 10/26/2026