No person shall conduct a special event as defined herein within the City without first obtaining a special event permit.  See Chapter 39 of the La Crosse Municipal Code.

The City’s goal is to encourage and help coordinate special community events, while regulating these events in a positive manner to ensure the health and safety of participants at the event, efficient management of City services and the protection of public lands and facilities.

Special event means a temporary planned occurrence on public or private property and involves at least one of the circumstances listed below:

1. Exclusive use of all or part of waterways, or City-owned facilities, within the City boundaries such as buildings, parks, open spaces, streets, parking lots, athletic fields, etc., but does not include normal park shelter rentals or La Crosse Center rentals.
2. Will involve the closing of a public way; not including neighborhood block parties pursuant to section 40-107.
3. Over 200 people at any one time attending a public event on private property, except those situations meeting the definition of a public assembly.
4. City ordinances and rules require public safety support by City employees.
5. Will require extraordinary services by any City department.
6. Hours of the event extend beyond those otherwise adopted in City ordinances.
7. Public event in which alcohol beverages and/or food will be served or sold, merchandise or other items are sold and/or outdoor amplified music is provided.

Outdoor amplified music means vocal or instrumental sounds played through an amplifier with the likelihood of exceeding noise levels identified in sec. 32-134 of the Municipal Code.  This definition is to distinguish between a single performer or two-person band performing unamplified or within noise levels versus larger live concert performances.

A special event is not intended to include private events such as family gatherings, weddings or funeral ceremonies and processions not intended for the general public or for events that do not require extraordinary services or require any additional City licenses or permits. For exempt events, refer to sec. 39-11(b) of the La Crosse Municipal Code of Ordinances.

How to Apply

Applications shall be made in writing on the form prescribed by law and filed with the City Clerk's Office who may issue the same after appropriate review by the special event staff. Applications shall be filed no less than sixty (60) days prior to the event and no more than one (1) year prior in advance.

• Policies & Procedures Manual
• Special Event Application

Applications must be complete and submitted with fee (see below).  Regardless of the size of the event, all questions must be answered and necessary documentation attached (follow the checklist). Incomplete applications will be returned.

Applications/forms, including any applicable filing fees, may be mailed, dropped off during public service hours (M-Th 8a–4p) or deposited in the GREEN drop box on the north side of City Hall (place application and respective fee in a sealed envelope to the attention of City Clerk's Office).  The City Clerk’s address is 400 La Crosse St, La Crosse WI  54601.

Permit Fees

Permit fees are based on duration, use or closure of public way and/or outdoor music as follows:

The applicable permit fee is due at the time of application (cash, check payable to City Treasurer or credit with convenience fee).

The City, where good cause is shown, may consider an application which is filed less than 60 days before the date of such event is proposed to be conducted; however, the permit fee will be double. This provision shall not apply should there be insufficient time to process the application as determined by the appropriate processing City officials. Only in unforeseen circumstances may a permit be granted when submitted less than 15 days in advance.

Extraordinary Fees

If a special event requires more than the reasonable and necessary services provided by the City that specifically result from the event, the applicant may be required to pay the actual costs for the use of equipment, resources or services. This may include, but is not limited to, police personnel and services, fire personnel and services, traffic control, parks services, street department personnel and services and other services necessary to ensure the protection of participants and citizens, the proper functioning of City services and the proper administration of this ordinance and policies. The City reserves the right to require advance full or partial payment of estimated extraordinary service costs prior to the event.

If any traffic control materials are missing or returned damaged, fee for replacement/repair will be invoiced.

Organizers must notify the City if event is cancelled or altered for any reason. If notice isn’t given until after traffic control materials have been delivered, organizers will still be billed the cost of materials and labor.

Insurance Required

Insurance in the amounts listed below must be provided at the time of filing this application - the name of the event and date must be listed on the certificate.

• Comprehensive general liability insurance in the amount of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage.
• Automobile liability insurance in the amount of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage covering all vehicles to be used as part of the event. Said policy shall cover all owned, non-owned and hired vehicles.
• For events selling or serving alcohol, liquor liability insurance in the amount of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence for bodily insurance, personal injury and property damage.

The City of La Crosse must be named as additional insured in connection with said special event (via ISO endorsement CG2026 or insurer’s equivalent for general liability coverage), and the endorsement must accompany the certificate of insurance at the time of application.

If a governmental entity is self-insured, it must provide evidence of alternative proof of coverage, in a form acceptable to the City Clerk.

Questions?

For more information, contact the City Clerk's Office at (608) 789-7510 or email licenses@cityoflacrosse.org.

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