Janesville, WI Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Chapter 26 of the Code of General Ordinances governs Janesville's parks and public property, and Section 26-10 is the entry point for reserving a facility rather than relying on the ordinary first-come, first-served rule that applies to public property generally. Section 26-11 lets the Park Director, subject to City Manager approval, set the rental fee schedule for public equipment and facilities. Groups that also want alcohol at an event must separately obtain a park beer and wine permit under Section 26-13, which restricts possession and consumption of fermented malt beverages and wine to designated pavilions and areas at Traxler Park, Riverside Park, Palmer Park, the Town Square, Festival Street and Water Street, requires the permit holder to be present throughout, caps consumption after 11:00 p.m.

(9:00 p.m. at the Palmer Park hilltop pavilion), and carries its own $100 minimum forfeiture under Section 26-14. Reserved or not, every park user remains subject to the park hours in Section 26-17, generally 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. citywide, with earlier 9:00 p.m. closures at Lustig Park, Rotary Gardens, the upper portion of Palmer Park and Fourth Ward Park, unless the Park Director grants written special permission for a specific use. Section 26-40 sets the general Chapter 26 penalty for any violation, including unauthorized use of a reserved facility or space: a forfeiture of $50 to $500 per offense, with each day of a continuing violation counted separately, and up to 30 days in the county jail if the forfeiture is not paid.