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Shorewood staff previews liquor-code overhaul, adds BYOB and accessory classes; board defers vote to January
Summary
Staff outlined proposed Title 3 revisions that clarify definitions, add a BYOB class (limit: 750 mL wine or 72 oz beer per two people), create accessory-use classes (Class O and O1) and propose fees; the board asked questions about special events and legal limits and asked staff to return in January for a vote.
Village staff presented a set of proposed amendments to Title 3 of the Shorewood municipal code governing liquor licensing, including new definitions for dram shop and tavern, removal of duplicate hotel/motel language, and three new license classes. One new category—described by staff as a 'bring your own' (BYOB) class—would allow patrons to bring a limited amount of wine or beer (staff cited limits of 750 milliliters of wine or 72 ounces of beer per two people) while a business could provide glassware and corkage service but not serve alcohol. Staff proposed a fee of $1,125 for the BYOB class.
The draft also creates a Class O license for accessory businesses where alcohol is secondary (proposed fee $1,100) and a Class O1 limited to liquor and wine, plus harmonized restaurant-license fees (proposed at $1,225). Staff also suggested adding special-event licensing for village-sanctioned events and clarified the village would not retain a U.S.-citizenship requirement previously included in code language. Trustees discussed whether small private events should require board approval or be handled by staff and asked staff to provide a clearer threshold for staff-approvable events; staff suggested a capacity-based threshold (for example, 100 guests). The board did not vote and agreed to have staff return with refined drafting at the first meeting in January 2026.
