Kenosha, WI Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Application lead time
- At least 10 business days before the event
- Signatures required
- Majority of property owners on the closed street
- Annual limit
- 2 Street Party permits per street per year
- Permitted hours
- 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Late fee
- 5x the Permit Fee if held before permit issues
- Appeal window
- 5 business days to appeal to Committee on Public Works
Summary
Kenosha residents who want to close a residential street for a block party need a Street Party Permit under Sec. 5.04(Y)(2). A majority of property owners on the block must sign the application, filed at least ten business days ahead, and each street is capped at two street parties per calendar year.
b.Authorization. The Department may order the temporary closing of a City Street in a residentially zoned district for the purpose of authorizing a Street Party to be held thereon, through the issuance of a "Street Party Permit." Such authorization may not be for an arterial or collector street.c.Application. The request for a Street Party Permit must be in writing, signed by a majority of property owners fronting the street to be closed, filed at least ten (10) business days in advance of the event desired to be held, and accompanied by a fee to cover the cost of permit issuance and administration. ... e.Limit. There shall be a limit of two (2) permits per calendar year per street. ... Street Parties shall start no earlier than 10:00 A.M. Street Parties shall terminate no later than 11:00 P.M.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 11 Update 1 | Zoning Ordinance: Supplement 9).
Full Breakdown
04(Y)(2) of the Code of General Ordinances lets the Department of Public Works temporarily close a City street in a residentially zoned district for a Street Party, but only through a Street Party Permit; arterial and collector streets cannot be closed this way. The written request must be signed by a majority of the property owners fronting the street to be closed, filed at least ten business days before the event, and accompanied by a fee the Common Council sets by resolution. Holding a street party before the permit issues raises the fee to five times the normal amount.
Streets are limited to two Street Party permits per calendar year. Before issuing the permit, the Department of Public Works inspects the street and gets recommendations from the Fire and Police Departments, and it supplies barricades that the applicant is personally responsible for placing and maintaining for the full closure. , though the Department can set an earlier end time at the request of abutting owners, and amplified noise or music is prohibited unless specifically authorized. A police officer can shut the party down early if it becomes loud, disorderly or a public nuisance.
If the Department denies the permit and the applicant does not appeal, the application fee is refunded in full; an applicant may instead appeal a denial to the Committee on Public Works within five business days of the denial.
Violations & Fines
Hosting a Street Party without an issued permit multiplies the Permit Fee by five once discovered, and it is separately unlawful to hold the party without barricades fully blocking vehicle traffic, to omit required warning lights after dark, or to place City barricades outside the permitted time or location. A police officer who finds the event has become disorderly, is disturbing the peace, or endangers public safety may order it terminated, and continuing after that order is itself unlawful under Sec. 5.04(Y)(2).
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance do I need to apply for a Kenosha block party permit?
How many block parties can my street hold in a year in Kenosha?
Can I hold my block party without waiting for the permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kenosha
Compare Kenosha to another location·View the Wisconsin special events & permits overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.