Where do I vote?

There are four sites for polling purposes in the City of Stoughton. You are required to vote in your appropriate district.  To find out where you vote, visit My Vote Wisconsin.

Where can I find Voting Information?

The City Clerk's Department oversees elections and voting in the City of Stoughton.  For elections and voting related information click here.

How many animals can I have licensed in the city?

According to city ordinance, in order to protect the public health and public sanitation, the number of dogs is limited to no more than 3 dog, if more than 3 dogs kept for the purpose of breeding, selling, boarding or sporting the premise must be licensed as a kennel. Get more information regarding this ordinance.

What items do I need to apply for a Dog License?

State Statutes and the City of Stoughton Ordinances requires all dogs five (5) months of age or older, to be vaccinated for rabies and licensed. Licenses are valid as of January 1st and expire on December 31st of each year and are to be purchased on an annual basis.

Additional information on how to obtain a Dog License can be found here.

How can I apply for an Operator's License? (Bartender's License)

Anyone applying for a new operator's license must complete the Responsible Beverage Server Training course or show proof that they have been a licensed operator in the last two years in another Wisconsin municipality.

Information for obtaining an Operator's License can be found here.  

Can you tell me if a certain business in the city is licensed?

Not every business that operates in the city is licensed by the City of Stoughton.  The City licenses some types of businesses while the county and state license other types of businesses.  You can contact our office at 873-6677 to inquire about licenses issued by the City of Stoughton.  If you have a problem with a particular business, you can contact the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin at 800-273-1002.

Can I serve wine/beer at my business to the public for a grand opening, ladies night out, anniversary, etc?

Answer: No.

Businesses that are open to the public and have no appropriate alcohol license cannot sell or give away or provide tastings of alcohol, including beer, wine, or spirits, to the public.

An alcohol license is required to serve alcohol beverages. Wis. Stat. s. 125.04(1) states that no person (person includes individuals, corporations, LLC’s, etc.) may sell or engage in any other activity for which this chapter provides a license without holding the appropriate license. The City of Stoughton forfeiture for violation of this statutory provision ranges from $200 - $1,000. The penalty under state law is a forfeiture of up to $10,000, nine months in jail, or both (Wis. Stat. s. 125.04 (13)).

If a business does not have an alcohol license, alcohol beverages cannot be sold or given away. Wis. Stat. s. 125.09(1) prohibits “consumption” of alcohol in unlicensed public places. For example, a business at an unlicensed premise cannot have an open house, grand opening, or event that caters to the general public and serves alcohol.

Any charge made directly or indirectly for the alcohol beverage requires the person in charge to hold the appropriate license. The term “sale” is broadly defined. “Sale” is a transfer with consideration or transfer without consideration, if made to evade law, or any shift, device, scheme, or transaction for obtaining an alcoholic beverage (Wis. Stat. s. 125.02(20)).

     - Examples of indirect charges include, but are not limited to, a ticket price including an alcohol beverage, cost of a meal including an alcohol beverage, a purchase of a service with a “free” alcohol beverage, or a donation required in order to consume an alcohol beverage.

Wis. Stat. s. 125.315 prohibits the “giving” of fermented malt beverages to evade law (i.e., businesses such as credit unions, barbershops, salons, etc., giving away beer to customers without a fermented malt beverage license). Wine and spirits also cannot be given away in the same manner under Wis. Stat. s. 125.67. Again, the penalty under state law is a forfeiture of up to $10,000, 9 months in jail, or both (Wis. Stat. s. 125.66).

How can I rent a community room?

Community rooms are available for renting through City Hall. Contact us at 608-873-6677 or via email for availability.  Please also see our building use policy for additional details.

What's the population of Stoughton?

The City of Stoughton has been a steadily growing community in Dane County. As of January 2020, the city's population was 13,324

Can I get something notarized at City Hall?

Yes.  There are Notary Publics in the City Clerk's Office.  This service is provided at no charge. Please make an appointment if possible.

How can I contact a school or the Stoughton Area School District?

The best way to obtain information regarding the public schools is by visiting the Stoughton School District website here.

Where can I apply for a marriage license?

Marriage licenses are available at the Dane County Clerk's Office.

Where can I obtain a birth certificate?

If you were born in Dane County a copy of your birth certificate is available in the Register of Deeds Office at the County Building, located at:

210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Madison, WI 53703

Where can I obtain a passport?

Passports are available at the Post Office. At some locations, they may even take your passport photo. Please visit the USPS website for more information.

How do I contact the Stoughton Post Office?

Click here to go to the official United States Postal Service's Office's website. Or you can call 608-877-9020 to reach someone at the local Stoughton office.