Outagamie County, WI Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- 1,500+ people, 18+ hours
- Apply by
- 45 days before event
- Approved by
- County executive, sheriff, committee
- Insurance
- $1,000,000 general liability minimum
- Fee
- $100 per event
Summary
A gathering expected to draw 1,500 or more people for 18 or more consecutive hours anywhere in Outagamie County needs a special event permit filed at least 45 days ahead.
No person shall permit, maintain, conduct, undertake, sell or give tickets to an actual or reasonably anticipated assembly of 1,500 or more people which continues or can reasonably be expected to continue for 18 or more consecutive hours, whether on public or private property, unless a permit to hold the assembly has first been issued by the county or unless the proposed facility is exempt as provided in subsection (b) of this section. Application for such permit must be made at least 45 days in advance of the assembly.(b)Exemptions. This section shall not apply to any regularly established permanent place of worship, stadium, athletic field, arena, auditorium, coliseum or other similar permanently established place of assembly for assemblies which do not exceed by more than 250 people the maximum seating capacity of the structure where the assembly is held, provided such activity is part of their normal operation. This section also shall not apply to government-sponsored fairs held on regularly established fairgrounds or to assemblies required to be permitted by other laws and regulations of the county. (Ord. No. F-2002-2003, § 9.06(3), 7-16-2002)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26).
Full Breakdown
Outagamie County requires a permit before anyone holds, sells tickets to, or organizes an assembly expected to reach 1,500 or more people that runs 18 or more consecutive hours, on public or private land. Applicants must file at least 45 days before the event with the county clerk, and a committee of the county executive, sheriff, and the County Board's public safety committee reviews and approves the application. Organizers must carry at least $1,000,000 in general liability insurance and can be required to arrange traffic and parking plans with the sheriff's department. Regularly established venues like churches, stadiums, and fairgrounds are exempt if attendance doesn't exceed their normal seating capacity by more than 250.
Violations & Fines
Holding or promoting a qualifying assembly without a county permit is enforceable under the general penalty: forfeiture of $5.00 to $500.00 per offense, plus court costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Outagamie County festival need this permit?
How far ahead must I apply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Outagamie County
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