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

Wauwatosa runs block parties through two coordinated chapters. 50 Special Events defines a block party as a temporary event that closes one block of a street and does not close an intersection, distinguishing it from larger special events that require common council review. 070 then exempts block-party applicants specifically from the special-event application fee, stating that fee is otherwise required for all special-event permit applications, while extraordinary city service costs and other separate charges still apply if incurred. 010 to issue permits for temporarily detouring users of a street for unusual purposes, expressly naming parades, children's plays, recreational purposes, civic celebrations and block parties among the covered functions.

015 requires the applicant to pay a fee shown in the consolidated fee schedule for the city delivering and picking up barricades, or to arrange to pick up and return the barricades from the department of public works directly; barricades not returned within three working days of the block party get picked up by the city with a fee billed to the applicant. 040 allows an appeal of a denial to the board of public works, which can review and issue the permit at its discretion.