Special Events Permit

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 may meet 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.

Special events that provide alcohol must obtain a Temporary Fermented Malt Beverage and/or Wine Permit. This license may only be issued to "bona fide" clubs, fair associations or agricultural societies, churches, lodges, veterans associations or Chambers of Commerce. A licensed bartender must be present at all times.

How does an 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 street closure/detours on County or State roads, permits must be obtained by the event organizer from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Walworth County Highway Department and copies turned into the City along with the application.

What are the fees?

City of Elkhorn Special Events Permit Application, application fee: $50
Street Closure Application (if needed), application fee: $25
Temporary Fermented Malt Beverage and/or Wine Retailer Permit Application (if needed): $10 (See additional information at top of page. Requires approval by the Common Council)
Temporary Bartender Operator’s License Application (if needed): $10 A person or persons with a bartender operator's license or a temporary operator's license must be on the premises at all times during the event. A Temporary Bartender Operator's License is not needed for operators currently licensed in the City of Elkhorn. Temporary Operators must have completed a Responsible Beverage Server Course. For a list of acceptable courses, click here.
Electric Hook-up (if needed): $50 with $25 deposit for key to temporary box.
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 City services.

What determines my special event class?

CLASS A: over 1,000 people Insurance Required.

CLASS B: 100 to 999 people and/or if alcohol is served. Insurance Required.

CLASS C: under 99 people. Event organizers in this class are encouraged to obtain insurance even though it is not required. Note: If alcohol is being served, with an event of 99 or less people, that event would be Class B.

Am I required to insure the event?

Yes, general liability insurance is required by the City naming the City of Elkhorn as additionally insured is required for all Class A and B events. If you do not have insurance, information on purchasing Special Events Insurance Coverage is below.

Yes, general liability insurance is required by the City naming the City of Elkhorn as additionally insured. If you do not have the required insurance, the City's liability insurer has special event insurance which you may purchase. The insured requirements are:

Commercial General Liability CLASS A:

Provide a minimum of $1,000,000.00 liability coverage.
Provide Umbrella Coverage of $2,000,000.00 each occurrence / $2,000,000.00 aggregate.
Name the City of Elkhorn as an Additional Named Insured

Commercial General Liability CLASS B:

Provide a minimum of $1,000,000.00 liability coverage.
Name the City of Elkhorn as an Additional Named Insured

Liquor Liability: If the event holder is selling alcoholic beverages then liquor liability with the limits and coverage of $500,000.00 each occurrence/$500,000.00 aggregate must be carried.

Claims made form of coverage is not acceptable.

Insurance must include: