Dodge County, WI Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Dodge County Code § 5.09
- Lead time required
- 6 weeks before the event
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Dodge County only
- Approving body
- Judicial and Public Protection Committee
- Statutory authority
- § 59.56(12), Wis. Stats.
- In lieu of
- A separate licensing fee
Summary
In unincorporated Dodge County, anyone owning or running a carnival, concert, street fair, farmers or flea market, or similar place of amusement must ask the Sheriff for an extraordinary-services contract at least 6 weeks before the event, covering the extra police protection, traffic control, and refuse collection the county provides.
5.09 - LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES—PLACES OF AMUSEMENT. ... d.Places of Amusement - Dance hall, pavilion, amusement park, carnival, concert, street fair, farmers or flea market, bathing beaches, fairgrounds, or other similar places. (4)APPLICABILITY. This Section does not apply to places of amusement in any city or village, or town that has adopted a similar regulation under § 60.03(10), Wis. Stats. (5)RECOVERY OF EXPENSES INCURRED FOR PROVIDING EXTRAORDINARY SERVICES. At least 6 weeks before an event at a place of amusement, the person owning the place of amusement or operating the event shall submit a request to the Dodge County Sheriff for a contract for extraordinary services. The Sheriff may, in the Sheriff's discretion, entertain requests made within 6 weeks of the event.
Full Breakdown
56(12), Wis. , lets the County Board regulate places of amusement and recover the cost of the extraordinary governmental services those events require. 09(3)(d) to include a dance hall, pavilion, amusement park, carnival, concert, street fair, farmers or flea market, bathing beach, or fairground. 09(3)(b). 09(5), the person owning the place of amusement or operating the event must submit a request to the Dodge County Sheriff for an extraordinary-services contract at least 6 weeks before the event; the Sheriff may, at his discretion, consider a late request filed within that window.
The Judicial and Public Protection Committee, on the Sheriff's recommendation, then authorizes the Sheriff to sign a contract specifying the cost of those services, and that contract stands in place of any licensing fee. 03(10), Wis. Stats. Organizers running a street fair in Beaver Dam, Horicon, Mayville, or another incorporated municipality answer to that municipality's own rules, not this county contract requirement.
Violations & Fines
Section 5.09 is structured as a cost-recovery contract, not a fine schedule: an event organizer who fails to arrange the required extraordinary-services contract risks the Sheriff declining to provide extra police protection and traffic control for the event, and the county can still bill for services rendered. The Judicial and Public Protection Committee holds authority to condition, deny, or set the price of any contract under this section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a "place of amusement" under Dodge County's ordinance?
How far ahead must organizers request an extraordinary-services contract?
Does this rule apply inside Beaver Dam or Horicon?
Who approves the extraordinary-services contract?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dodge County
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