What is a Special Event?
A Special Event Permit is required when the event involves:
- Closing and exclusive use of a public street, alley, or public right of way.
- Has over 250 people at any one time attending the event on private property, except those situations where a constitutional right is being expressed – marches and public assemblies.
- City ordinances and rules require public safety support by city employees.
- Will require extraordinary services by any city department.
- Hours of the event extend beyond those otherwise adopted in city ordinances.
- Alcohol, beverages, food, and/or merchandise will be offered for purchase.
Don’t know if your event qualifies? Email the Wauwatosa Police Department at [email protected] or call (414) 471-8430.
How to Apply
All Special Event applications must be submitted online through the city’s self-service portal.
- Create an account.
- Once logged in, under permits, choose from three special event types.
- Follow the prompts and fill in all required fields.
- Attachments will be required. (See list below)
- After submittal, staff will complete an initial review of the application.
- You will receive an invoice for the $250 application fee. Once payment is received, your application will be reviewed by all relevant departments. After all staff have reviewed, if additional service fees apply, a final invoice will be issued.
- Payment for those services must be paid within 30 days after the event
- The approved permit will be emailed to the email provided in the application.
Attachments required:
- Certificate of Insurance (must have a minimum liability of $1 million per occurrence and name the City of Wauwatosa and its employees as an additional insured).
- Parking plan, including the estimated number of vehicles.
- If your event is a run/walk, include your proposed route plan. Or, you may select one of the approved routes. (See below)
Things to Know
- Questions? Contact the Wauwatosa Police Department’s Community Support Division. Email [email protected] or call (414) 471-8430.
- Fees and Deadlines:
- Application Fee: $250 (non-refundable)
- Extraordinary Service Fees: May apply if your event requires services beyond normal operations (i.e., a measurable financial cost to service the event that exceeds normal levels of service).
- Applications may not be submitted more than one (1) year before an event, and no less than 90 days before an event.
- Special Events can be held between the hours of 8:00 am and 12:00 am.
2026 Blackout Dates
- Friday, June 26 through Sunday, July 12
- Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 9
- Friday, August 28 through Sunday, September 13
- Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 12
Special event applications will not be accepted for events that fall within the blackout dates unless Police Services are not needed.
Temporary Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (TDORA)
The City has three approved Temporary Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas (TDORA) that can be utilized in connection with special events.
A TDORA is a designated area where people may purchase an alcoholic beverage from an approved participating business and enjoy it outdoors during an approved special event. TDORAs are temporary and are only in effect during the dates and times approved by the Common Council.
TDORAs are authorized only in the following areas:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A Temporary Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (TDORA) is a designated area where people may purchase an alcoholic beverage from an approved participating business and enjoy it outdoors during an approved special event.
TDORAs are temporary and are only in effect during the dates and times approved by the Common Council.
TDORAs support special events by allowing visitors to enjoy alcoholic beverages while walking within designated event areas.
They also help:
• Support local businesses
• Encourage visitors to explore commercial districts
• Create a more vibrant event experience
• Promote tourism and economic development
No. The ordinance does not establish a permanent outdoor drinking area.
Instead, it gives the Common Council the authority to approve a TDORA for specific events through a separate resolution. Each event must be approved individually.
The ordinance authorizes TDORAs only within three approved commercial areas:
• The Village of Wauwatosa
• Midtown
• East Tosa
Maps defining the borders of each district are available for reference.
The Common Council approves each TDORA by resolution.
Each approval identifies:
• Event dates
• Event hours
• TDORA boundaries
• Participating businesses
• Any additional event requirements
Only approved Participating Establishments may sell alcoholic beverages for carry-out consumption within a TDORA.
Participating businesses must:
• Hold the appropriate alcohol license.
• Be located within the TDORA.
• Be approved by the City for that specific event.
Establishments wanting to participate in a TDORA during a specified special event are required to pay an application fee of $100. Special event organizers will pay for the TDORA markers (stickers) required for participation and provide the markers to the establishment.
No. Only alcoholic beverages purchased from an approved Participating Establishment within the TDORA may be carried and consumed inside the designated area.
Outside alcohol is not permitted.
No. Alcoholic beverages intended for consumption within the TDORA must be served in approved containers. Glass containers may not be opened or consumed within the TDORA.
An approved container is:
• An unbreakable, transparent or semi-transparent container displaying the City’s official TDORA marker, or
• An original aluminum or plastic beverage container, where permitted.
Alcoholic beverages may only be consumed within the approved TDORA boundaries.
Generally, this includes:
• Public sidewalks
• Plazas
• Boardwalks
• Closed public streets
• Pedestrian crossing areas while crossing the street
Alcohol may not be consumed:
• In parking lots
• In parking structures
• In areas open to vehicle traffic
• On private property without the owner’s permission
No. Alcoholic beverages must remain within the designated TDORA boundaries.
Yes. The event organizer is responsible for clearly marking the TDORA boundaries, so visitors know where beverages may be carried and consumed.
No. Participation is voluntary.
Only establishments that choose to participate and receive City approval will be authorized to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption within the TDORA.
No. All Wisconsin alcohol beverage laws remain in effect.
For example:
• Underage drinking remains prohibited.
• Serving intoxicated persons remains prohibited.
• Businesses must continue to comply with all licensing requirements.
The TDORA simply creates a limited exception allowing open alcoholic beverages in designated public areas during approved events.
Yes. The City may suspend or terminate a TDORA if necessary to protect public safety or address issues such as non-compliance or disorderly conduct.
No. The Common Council will decide whether to approve a TDORA for each event. Not every event will include one.
Prior to each approved event, participating businesses will receive information from the special event organizer regarding:
• Event dates and hours
• TDORA boundaries
• Approved containers or official markers
• Operating procedures
• Any event-specific requirements
Questions regarding TDORA events, participation, or operating requirements may be directed to the City of Wauwatosa Clerk’s Office.