LICENSING OF HAWKERS, PEDDLERS AND TRUCKERS.
Madison General Ordinances § 9.15
in effect9.15 - LICENSING OF HAWKERS, PEDDLERS AND TRUCKERS.
(1) Definitions.
(a) A "trucker" within the meaning of this section is a person who transports produce not grown by themselves, in a truck or other vehicle, from a point without or within the state, and who sells the same direct from such vehicle to retail merchants without advance order.
(b) A "hawker" or "peddler" within the meaning of this section is a person who goes from place to place selling or attempting to sell goods, wares or merchandise at retail. No person distributing, selling, or offering for sale any excess agricultural products which such person shall have actually raised or grown in this state shall be deemed a hawker or peddler under this section.
(2) License Required. Before any person shall engage in or follow the business or occupation of a hawker, or a peddler, or trucker within the City of Madison they shall procure an annual license from the City of Madison authorizing him or her to do so, as herein provided. (Am. by ORD-14-00012, 1-14-14)
(3) Application. Any person desiring to secure a Trucker's or Peddler's Permit shall apply therefor in writing over their signature to the City Clerk on forms provided by the City, and such application shall state the following: (Am. by ORD-14-00012, 1-14-14)
(a) Name and signature of applicant.
(b) A copy of applicant's fingerprints taken by an authorized law enforcement agency, either Municipal, County, State or Federal.
(c) A photograph approximately two inches by two inches (2" x 2") showing the head and shoulders of said person, which has been taken not more than one (1) year prior to such application.
(d) Permanent home address and full local address of the applicant and, in the case of transient merchants, the local address from which proposed sales will be made.
(e) A brief description of the nature of the business and the goods to be sold.
(f) The length of time for which the right to do business is desired.
(g) The source of supply of the goods or property proposed to be sold, where such goods or products are located at the time said application is filed, and the proposed method of delivery.
(h) A statement as to whether or not the applicant has been convicted of any crime, misdemeanor, or violation of any municipal ordinance, the nature of the offense and the punishment or penalty assessed therefor.
(i) The three cities or villages where applicant carried on business immediately preceding date of application and the addresses from which such business was conducted in those municipalities.
(4) Term of License. Each license shall be issued on the first (1st) day of July each year, or thereafter when applied for, and shall expire on the thirtieth (30th) day of June following its issuance.
(5) Investigation and Issuance.
(a) Upon receipt of each application, it shall be referred to the Chief of Police, who shall immediately institute such investigation of the applicant's business and conduct a background check including a criminal history inquiry through the Wisconsin Central Repository and shall endorse the application in the manner prescribed in this section within two (2) weeks after it has been filed by the applicant with the Clerk. (Am. by ORD-16-00008, 1-13-16)
(b) If as a result of such investigation, the applicant's character or business responsibility is found to be unsatisfactory, the Chief of Police shall endorse on such application their disapproval and their reasons for the same, and return the said application to the City Clerk, who shall notify the applicant in writing that their application is disapproved and that no permit will be issued.
(c) If as a result of such investigation, the character and business responsibility of the applicant are found to be satisfactory, the Chief of Police shall endorse on the application their approval and return the application to the City Clerk, who shall issue the applicant their permit. The Clerk shall keep a permanent record of all permits issued.
(6) Fees.
(a) A person desiring to engage in such business or occupation, shall pay to the City Treasurer a nonrefundable license fee therefor of one hundred ten dollars ($110.00). Renewal licenses shall be obtained on or before June 30 of each year or be subject to a late fee of twenty-five percent (25%) of the license fee. (Am. by ORD-10-00038, 5-1-10)
(b) The daily license fee for those not desiring an annual license shall be thirty dollars ($30.00) payable to the City Treasurer.
(7) Chief of Police May Suspend License. Any license issued pursuant to this section may be suspended by the Chief of Police upon the conviction of the licensee of any violation of the ordinances of the City of Madison and in the event any licensee under this section shall be convicted of a second offense for the violation of this section or for the violation of Sections 10.23; 10.25; 10.26; 12.02, Subsections (1), (3), (4) and 12.06(2), the licensee shall forthwith forfeit any license held under this section without further notice and no license shall thereafter be granted to such person for a period of one (1) year from the date of such forfeiture or revocation. Any suspension of a license ordered by the Chief of Police pursuant to this section shall be subject to review by the Common Council upon request of the licensee. (Renumbered by Ord. 8789, 2-14-86)
(8) Penalty. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be subject to a penalty of not less than ten dollars ($10) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense, and every day that any person shall sell or dispose of goods, wares, and merchandise as a hawker or peddler without such license shall constitute a separate offense. (Renumbered by Ord. 8789, 2-14-86)
(Am. by Ord. 8789, 2-14-86) (New Sub. (5) Cr. by Ord. 8789, 2-14-86; Am. by ORD-14-00012, 1-14-14) (Am. by Ord. 9367, 12-21-87; Ord.; Ord. 13,601, 5-11-04)
Source: City of Madison, Wisconsin, Madison General Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wi/madison/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORMAWIVOICH1--10_CH9LIPE_9.15LIHAPETRFetched: 11/1/2026