Walworth County, WI Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Section 54-2 defines a 'special event' as one that takes place in whole or in part on a highway, or significantly impacts traffic on one, and that the Highway Commissioner determines requires extraordinary traffic safety services such as extra police protection, traffic control, barricades, or message board signs. The definition names races, walks, and tours as examples, but expressly carves out 'parades held by a municipal government,' meaning a city or village parade is not covered by this county permit chapter. Section 54-91 makes the permit mandatory: no one may conduct a special event without first obtaining one.

Section 54-92 lays out the application: it must go to the Highway Commissioner at least 30 days before the event with the Section 30-286 fee, route and parking drawings, an agreement to follow permit conditions, and a deposit equal to 25 percent of the estimated cost of extraordinary traffic safety services, calculated by the Sheriff, who also collects the full cost afterward. The Highway Commissioner can attach conditions on insurance, bonding, hours of operation, and traffic-control materials, and must confer with the Sheriff and try to notify any affected municipality before deciding.

If the applicant meets the requirements and shows the event will preserve public health, safety and welfare, the Commissioner must issue the permit, though it can still carry conditions. Law enforcement officers normally handle traffic control, though the Sheriff can allow certified traffic control attendants for pedestrian crossings in specific designated areas.