Event Planning Permit Requirements in Madison, WI

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if operating as a business entity (LLC or corporation) or if you have employees. Free from the IRS. You will need an EIN to open a business bank account and sign vendor contracts professionally.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Wisconsin Business Registration

   Event planning businesses operating in Wisconsin as an LLC, corporation, or partnership register with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI); Wisconsin has no Secretary of State business-filing role. Wisconsin's DBA (fictitious name) filing under Wis. Stat. 134.17 is narrow: it applies only when a name purporting to be a corporate name is used with intent to obtain credit, and it is recorded with the county Register of Deeds - not a general requirement for all trade names, and not filed at the state or with a county clerk. An LLC provides personal liability protection, which matters when coordinating large events.

   Official government source

   DFI filing fees: limited liability company $130 online / $170 by paper; business corporation $100; limited partnership $70; nonstock corporation $35. Annual report thereafter $25 online ($40 by paper) for an LLC or business corporation.·DFI does not publish a guaranteed standard turnaround; paid expedited service is available at $100 (next business day), $250 (four hours, in person) or $500 (one hour, in person).

   DFI filing fees: limited liability company $130 online / $170 by paper; business corporation $100; limited partnership $70; nonstock corporation $35. Annual report thereafter $25 online ($40 by paper) for an LLC or business corporation.

   DFI does not publish a guaranteed standard turnaround; paid expedited service is available at $100 (next business day), $250 (four hours, in person) or $500 (one hour, in person).

2. Wisconsin Seller's Permit / Business Tax Registration (only if you sell taxable goods)

   Event planning and coordination is not one of the services Wisconsin taxes - it does not appear in the list of taxable services in DOR Publication 201 - so your planning fee is not taxable. You need a seller's permit only if you also make retail sales of tangible goods such as decorations, favors or floral arrangements. One trap does apply to planners: under Pub. 201 Part 11.A(1), rental fees or admission charges for a hall, gymnasium or reception facility used for a recreational, entertainment or amusement event are taxable unless the renter gives you a resale exemption certificate (Form S-211).

   Official government source

   $20 one-time Business Tax Registration (BTR) fee if you do need to register, then $10 to renew every two years. The $20 is the same regardless of how many locations need a seller's permit.·Register online through My Tax Account. DOR does not publish a guaranteed processing time - contact [email protected] or 608-266-2776 to check status.

   $20 one-time Business Tax Registration (BTR) fee if you do need to register, then $10 to renew every two years. The $20 is the same regardless of how many locations need a seller's permit.

   Register online through My Tax Account. DOR does not publish a guaranteed processing time - contact [email protected] or 608-266-2776 to check status.

1. City of Madison - No General Business License

   The City of Madison does not have a general/generic business license. Per the city's own guidance: "The City of Madison does not have a generic business license. Most licenses issued by the Clerk's Office are for things that need to be inspected" (e.g. restaurants, pools, hotels). Event planners need no city business license for the events business itself. If you coordinate events on public property, the permit attaches to the venue - Madison Parks issues park reservations and special use permits, and street or plaza events are handled by the City. If you work from home, Madison issues no home occupation permit; you simply have to meet the zoning code's home occupation standards.

   Official government source

   $0 - no such license exists.·Not applicable - there is no city license to apply for.

   $0 - no such license exists.

   Not applicable - there is no city license to apply for.

2. Madison - Public Space Event Approvals (parks, streets, plazas)

   Madison approves events on public property through the department that controls the space rather than through a single citywide 'Special Event Permit.' Madison Parks handles park facility reservations and issues Special Use Permits covering alcohol, amplified sound and temporary structures; street closures and other right-of-way uses go through the City's street-use process. Insurance, site plans and traffic plans may be required depending on the venue and the size of the event. As the planner you may be responsible for obtaining approvals on the client's behalf.

   Official government source

   Varies by venue and permit type; Madison Parks reservation and special use permit fees are set by the Parks Division - confirm current amounts with Madison Parks at (608) 266-4711.·Apply well in advance; lead times are set by the department controlling the space - confirm with Madison Parks or the City Clerk's Office.

   Varies by venue and permit type; Madison Parks reservation and special use permit fees are set by the Parks Division - confirm current amounts with Madison Parks at (608) 266-4711.

   Apply well in advance; lead times are set by the department controlling the space - confirm with Madison Parks or the City Clerk's Office.

3. No Dane County Temporary Use or Special Event Permit

   Dane County Zoning does not issue a temporary use or special event permit. Its permit types are zoning permits, conditional use permits, shoreland and wetland permits, sign permits and floodplain zoning permits. An event on unincorporated land outside Madison is reviewed under the Dane County zoning ordinance, and a conditional use permit is required only where the use itself is a conditional use in that district. Events inside a city or village are governed by that municipality instead.

   Official government source

   $0 - no temporary use or special event permit exists. Where a conditional use permit is required, the general CUP application fee is $495.00; a floodplain development permit is $145.00 and a shoreland zoning permit is $150.00 (Dane County Zoning fee schedule).·Not published - a conditional use permit requires a public hearing before the Zoning and Land Regulation Committee. Confirm the hearing calendar with Dane County Planning & Development at (608) 266-4266.

   $0 - no temporary use or special event permit exists. Where a conditional use permit is required, the general CUP application fee is $495.00; a floodplain development permit is $145.00 and a shoreland zoning permit is $150.00 (Dane County Zoning fee schedule).

   Not published - a conditional use permit requires a public hearing before the Zoning and Land Regulation Committee. Confirm the hearing calendar with Dane County Planning & Development at (608) 266-4266.

Official Sources

• Madison Business Licensing
• Wisconsin Secretary of State — Business Registration
• IRS EIN Application

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