Permits

Burning Permit
Rummage/Garage/Yard Sales
Selling in Public Parks
Sidewalk Maintenance & Repair
Special Events
Street Privilege Permit
Temporary Signs

Burning Permit

Click here for more information on Burning Permits, located in the Fire Department section of our website.

Rummage/Garage/Yard Sales

Rummage/Garage/Yard Sales are permitted as follows:

• No sale continues more than three days or parts of days consecutively.
• No more than three such sales within any calendar year.

Selling in Public Parks

You must have a permit to sell in the City’s parks. No person can sell in the parks or within 200 feet of the park, including adjacent or adjoining streets.

A permit to sell within or near the lands used in the City for a park is available at the City Clerk’s office. The application requirements are as follows:

• Application must be made not less than 21 days prior to the first day of intended use of the permit;
• Certificate of Insurance and Endorsement naming the City of Elkhorn as “Additional Insured” is required;
• Permit fees:
  • One day - $10
  • Two days - $20
  • Three days - $30
  • Up to seven days - $50
  • Up to 14 days - $100
• Non-profit, fundraising groups pay the minimum one-day fee of $10 for up to three days. Over three days, the standard fee is required. Non-for-profit status must be presented to the Clerk.

Click here for the Application to Sell Within Public Parks.

Sidewalk Maintenance & Repair

Property owners with sidewalks are required to maintain that which abuts their property.

What to do I do if my sidewalk needs repair or replacement?

• You must contract with the City to do the work or obtain a permit from the Director of Public Works at least three days prior to the proposed work is undertaken. There is no fee for the sidewalk permit.

How do I know what is required to replace or lay a sidewalk?

• Call the Public Works office at (262)723-2223 for the required standards for sidewalks built within the City.

Special Events

A Special Events Permit was established by the Common Council in 2005. Its purpose is to give the City an opportunity to know what events, annual or otherwise, are being planned by the Community and Civic organizations within the City. A Special Events Review Team meets with event representatives to review and assist those planning events. Through communication, City staff is better informed as to dates, times and places; possible requirements of City workers; need for barricades, or other equipment; and, proper insurance coverage.

How does an individual or organization obtain a permit?

For regularly planned events, a completed, signed application must be filed with the City Clerk at least 45 days prior to the event. For Special Events and Other Events a completed, signed application must be filed with the City Clerk in sufficient time to obtain, if necessary, street closure/detour permits from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

What are the fees?

• Application Fee: $50
• Street Closure Fee (if needed): $25
• Temporary Fermented Malt Beverage and/or Wine License (if needed): $10 (Requires approval by the Common Council)
• Temporary Bartender Operator’s License (if needed): $10 (Temporary Operator’s License is required at all times during the event otherwise a licensed Bartender must be present.)
• Electric Hook-up (if needed): $50 with $25 deposit for key to temporary box. For Electric Department Procedure for Key Check Out, click here.
• Deposit: $100 (Deposit is refundable if the route or location of the event is returned to its original state as determined by the Events Staff Review Team)

Are there any other costs?

Cost may be incurred if the event requires labor from City employees after work hours.

Am I required to insure the event?

Yes, general liability insurance is required by the City. Contact the City Clerk as to how much insurance coverage is necessary. If you are unable to obtain insurance, the City has available special event insurance which you may purchase.

For a Special Events Application and Fee Schedule, click here.

Street Privilege Permit

The occasion may arise when you find it necessary to block a street, alley, sidewalk or other public way or place. You may be granted by the City to do so for the purpose of moving a building or structure or encumbering the public right-of-way. The permit is to occupy or obstruct the street, alley, sidewalk or public grounds only for the use in connection with the actual erection, alteration, repair, removal or moving of buildings or structures. The procedure is as follows:

• Complete an application available by clicking to the Reference Desk at this site or pick up the form at the Public Works Department office at City Hall.
• The fee is $25.
• A bond or Certificate of Insurance with endorsement naming the City of Elkhorn as additional insured.
• The temporary obstruction shall not cover more than 1/3 of any street or alley.
• The obstruction shall be sufficiently lighted at night and in full view of the public from all directions.
• Sidewalk traffic shall not be interrupted, but temporary sidewalks of not less than four feet in width guarded by a closed fence at least four feet high on both sides during the period of occupancy.
• When the project is completed, the public property must be vacated, cleaned of all rubbish and obstructions and placed in a safe condition for public travel at expense of the permitted.
• No building or structure is allowed overnight on any street crossing or intersection or near a fire hydrant.
• Street privilege permits may not exceed 30 days. Common Council must approve a permit for periods exceeding 30 days.

The Street Privilege Permit application is currently being redesigned.  Please check back.

Temporary Signs

If you are having a rummage sale, selling property or holding an event, there are standards that must be followed concerning the placement of those signs.

• Community interest signs, such as, rummage/garage sales, picnics, reunions and other similar short term functions placed in the public right-of-way requires the following:
  • Consent of abutting property owner or tenant;
  • Does not exceed two square feet per face and must not be affixed to utility poles or official traffic signs;
  • Must have the address of the function and name of the person placing the sign on the back of the signs;
  • Must not be placed in public rights-of-way further than 500 feet from the site of the function;
  • Must be removed within 24 hours after the conclusion of the event or activity.
  • Must not be placed in a public right-of-way that will constitute a visual or physical obstruction or safety hazard to the public.
• Election Campaign Signs
  • Campaign signs are not allowed on public right-of-way;
  • Campaign signs may be placed without a permit provided that the property owner, renter or lessee has given permission;
  • No more than one campaign sign per candidate allowed on a property in a residential district;
  • Shall not exceed 20 square feet in area on all sides;
  • No more than two signs are permitted on properties in a business or industrial district with a combined area of a total 64 square feet;
  • Campaign Signs and/or electioneering are not allowed within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place. This does not apply to bumper stickers.