Wausau, WI Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)

055(a) lets the Director of Public Works and Utilities issue a permit to temporarily detour traffic off a specific street for block parties and similar small, short-term recreational gatherings; events expected to draw a large crowd or need city services beyond the ordinary must instead go through the City's Special Events Policy and are not eligible for this simpler permit. Subsection (b) requires the application to reach the Engineering Department at least two business days before the event, with the fee set by the City of Wausau Fees and Licenses Schedule, and the applicant must certify that every resident and business on the street to be closed was contacted and none objected.

Subsection (c) caps the closure at one city block and bars closing any federal, state, or county highway or any closure likely to cause unreasonable traffic congestion, disturb the peace, or endanger public health, welfare, or safety. the next day. window, while subsection (f) caps commercial block parties at five hours within that same window and requires any alcohol service to come from a licensed establishment consistent with Wis. 51(3)(a). A denied applicant may appeal to the Board of Public Works under subsection (h).