Madison County Local Liquor Control Commissioner

County Retail Liquor License (Unincorporated Madison County)

Under the Chapter 70 definitions (1993 Code §70.01), "The Chairperson of the County Board shall be the Local Liquor Control Commissioner in the territory of the county outside the corporate limits of any city, village or incorporated town." Code §70.015 requires a county license for retail sale within the unincorporated territory of the county. Per §70.017(C), as set by Ord. 96-10 (passed September 18, 1996) in a code current through Ord. 2025-12 (passed December 17, 2025), a Class A tavern and restaurant or Class B package license is $600, or $300 for an initial applicant purchasing on or after July 1; a Class C caterer's license is $200, or $100 on or after July 1; and Class D special use and Class E special event licenses are $25 per day, up to 10 days in a calendar year. A Class E license covers beer and wine only, for no more than three days per event. The county's posted Liquor Commission Ordinance and Amendments prints the same fees. Under §70.018 the Auditor's office forwards applications, a 30-day waiting period applies and dram shop insurance is required. A business inside a city or village gets its local liquor license from that municipality, and the State license is required as well.