Janesville, WI Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

To close, obstruct or occupy any public street, alley, sidewalk or highway right-of-way in the City of Janesville for a parade, run, walk or bicycle event, an organizer applies in writing to the Chief of Police under Code of General Ordinances § 34-175. The application must name the applicant, give the exact route and portion of the street affected, state the date and time of the closure, describe the safety steps that will be taken, list every abutting property owner and possessor, certify that those owners were notified, and disclose any objections raised.

Applicants must fully indemnify the City for injury, death and property damage arising from the closure, and under § 34-175(d) the Chief may require insurance, a bond or other surety naming the City as insured. The Chief may deny an application or withdraw a permit already issued at any time and without cause, even when a complete application and full indemnification have been provided. Section 34-176 lets the City collect a reasonable registration fee for parades, runs, walks, bicycle events and similar activities, but only when the event and closure are otherwise approved by the Chief; no other sales, concessions or financial-gain activity may occur in the right-of-way.

Permit holders must maintain MUTCD-compliant warning signs, barricades and lighting, keep the required insurance in force, and by the permit's expiration remove litter and restore the affected property under § 34-177. A denied or revoked applicant, or any abutting property owner, can appeal first to the City Manager and then to the City Council under § 34-178.