Winnebago County, WI Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issued by
- Parks Director
- May require
- indemnity bond
- Amplification notice
- 1 week advance
- Sound limit
- not audible past 300 ft
Summary
Anyone wanting to use a Winnebago County Parks Department facility for a picnic, party, or performance must first get a use permit from the Parks Director under County Code § 19.10.
Whenever any individual, group, association, or organization desires to use a Parks Department facility for a particular purpose such as picnics, parties, theatrical, or entertainment performances, a representative of the group, individual, association, or organization shall first receive permission from the Parks Director, or his/her designee, for a use permit.
(2) The Parks Director, or his/her designee, may grant the permit if it appears that the individual, group, association, or organization will not interfere with the general use of the park by individual members of the public and if the individual, group, association, or organization meets all other conditions contained in the application. The application may contain a requirement for an indemnity bond to protect the County from any liability of any kind or character and to protect County property from damage.
(3) If the individual, group, association, or organization is non-profit, the prohibition against vending and peddling as provided in Section 19.14 of this chapter may be waived by the Parks Director or his/her designee. Such waiver may include permission to sell beer,
Full Breakdown
Winnebago County Code Ch. 19, § 19.10(1)-(2) requires a representative of any individual, group, association, or organization to obtain a use permit from the Parks Director before using a Parks Department facility for picnics, parties, theatrical, or entertainment performances. The Director may grant the permit if the activity won't interfere with general public use and may require an indemnity bond to protect the County. Sound amplification at a reserved event needs separate advance sign-off and volume can't carry beyond 300 feet under § 19.10(5).
Violations & Fines
Hold an event at a County park facility without an approved use permit and the group can be denied use of the facility; the Sheriff's Department can also order amplified sound lowered or the reservation terminated for a permit violation under § 19.10(5)(f).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a small picnic?
Can I use a sound system at my reserved event?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winnebago County
Compare Winnebago County to another location·View the Wisconsin special events & permits overview
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