Wisconsin: Can car dealerships open on Sundays?
Wisconsin bans car dealers from staying open on Sunday to buy, sell, or lease vehicles.
A dealer that keeps its lot open on Sunday to buy, sell, or lease vehicles can have its license denied, suspended, or revoked. The one exception is for dealers who observe the Sabbath from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday and close for business then. The rule targets being open for sales, not service or parts. It was still in the statutes as updated through 2025 Wisconsin Act 247.
Conditions
- Exception for dealers who observe a Saturday Sabbath and close from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday
What the law says
(k) Being a dealer who keeps open the dealer’s place of business on Sunday for the purpose of buying, leasing or selling motor vehicles; but nothing in this paragraph shall apply to any person who conscientiously believes that the 7th day of the week, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, should be observed as the Sabbath and who actually refrains from conducting or engaging in the business of buying, leasing, selling or offering for lease or sale motor vehicles, or performing other secular business on that day.
Sources
- Wis. Stat. § 218.0116(1)(k) Official · docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
- Wis. Stat. § 218.0116 Official · docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles, Dealer and Agent Section
- Website
- wisconsindot.gov
How bordering states compare
- Illinois Sunday car sales bannedIllinois bars car dealers from being open to sell or lease new or used cars on Sunday.
- Iowa Sunday car sales bannedIowa bars licensed dealers from buying or selling new or used cars at retail on Sunday.
- Michigan Limited by place or dayMichigan bans Sunday car sales, but only in counties with 130,000 or more people.
- Minnesota Sunday car sales bannedMinnesota bans car dealers from buying, selling, or opening a lot to sell motor vehicles on Sunday.