Frequently Asked Questions

What is calendar parking?

Beginning November 15 and ending March 31 of the following year, vehicles must be parked on the corresponding side of the street according to the day of the month, between 12:00 AM (midnight) and 7:00 AM. Even side on even days, and odd side on odd days. For example, if your address is 701 7th Street, this is the odd side. Park your car at night on the side of the street according to the date it will be in the morning, and according to your address. The downtown itself, and places where there is no parking on one side of the street are exempt. However, be mindful that the downtown area and certain streets are posted as a snow route, and must be completely vacated until such time as as the snow has been removed, after an accumulation of two inches or more.

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When do I need a special event permit, and how do I get one?

You would need a special event permit whenever an event you are planning will cause an impact on the safety or resources of the public, particularly when your event will be on public property. This may be a parade, a sponsored run or walk, a neighborhood or community festival, a large gathering, or an event where alcohol will be sold. This is because your event could impact vehicle or pedestrian traffic and safety, or result in the need for police, fire or other emergency services that could exhaust resources. This does not mean that police would interfere with legitimate free speech or assembly, whether persons may be annoyed by this or not. To obtain a special event permit, an application needs to be made to the City Clerks office, no later than thirty days before the event. The Public Safety Committee reviews the application with input from police and other emergency services. If approved, the City Council then authorizes the event through a resolution. Since the Council only meets in the first and third weeks of each month, it is necessary to get an application in at least thirty days in advance, or chance denial. Permits cost twenty-five dollars, and also require a certificate of insurance indemnifying the City. Events like auctions that take place on private property, or other events with no alcohol on private property that do not impact on surrounding public property are usually exempt from an event permit.

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What can I use the public sidewalk for?

The public sidewalk is to be used for specific public purposes. Pedestrian travel is a priority. However, the public sidewalk has historically been used as a public forum, for free speech and assembly. As long as the sidewalk is not unreasonably blocked for any reason, this will not be interfered with. Many times the public sidewalk, particularly in the downtown area, becomes the scene of street preaching, pamphlet distribution, and picket sign display. In addition, many downtown merchants place flowerpots and benches on the sidewalk to create atmosphere. The sidewalk cannot be used, however, by any merchant, as a place for product sales to take place, unless a vendors permit has been obtained from the City Clerk’s office. The only variance from this is when a special event permit has been issued for that area. This permit gives the applicant authority to sell goods on the sidewalk or street, and allows the applicant to sub-permit this authority to others under that blanket authority.

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Does Monroe have a curfew?

There is a curfew in Monroe of 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM for persons under sixteen, and of 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM for persons sixteen and seventeen. The curfew does not apply if the individual is with a parent or guardian, running an errand at the request of parent or guardian, if there are emergency circumstances, the individual is engaged in employment or a legitimate function such as church or school functions. If an individual has not created a reasonable suspicion about their activity, and is traveling from one point to another for some purpose, they would not be interfered with.

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How can I pay a fine?

Parking Tickets may be sent via regular mail using the envelope type citation that was attached to your vehicle. You must affix postage before depositing it in the mail. Tickets may also be placed in any fine drop box located in the downtown area, or paid in person at the department lobby. For the more substantial fine amounts, we recommend payment by check, or at our lobby in person to obtain a cash receipt.

Traffic Tickets or Municipal Code Citations may be paid by cash, money order, or personal check at our Department if before the indicated court appearance date. Otherwise, you must pay the fine directly to the Green County Circuit Court. Payments may be made at:

Green County Clerk of Courts Office
1016 16th Street Monroe, WI 53566
Or call them at 608-328-9433

Online payments can be accepted for fines payable to the Clerk of Courts via a third party service provider. A major credit card is necessary and a convenience fee will be charged for the service.
To access the online payment site , click this link .

To determine the status of your case and fines that are due, you may check online at the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (CCAP) website for details.

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Where can I obtain more information about violations that I’ve been charged with?

If you have received a Criminal Complaint & Summons, the specific Wisconsin Statute references will be listed on the complaint, followed by an attachment of the facts to support the charge(s). Customarily the Green County District Attorney’s Office will attach the narrative portion of the arresting officer’s report for this purpose. Other supplements, statements, etc. are generally not available unless released until a motion for discovery is filed with the court. Attempting to contact the district attorney to obtain information prior to receiving a complaint & summons is generally not advisable, as they may not have had ample time to review the case to answer your questions, or make any determination on how to proceed. It is advisable that if charged with a crime that you seek qualified legal counsel. You may look up the references for the statutes at the public library, or to access the Wisconsin Statutes online, CLICK HERE .

District Attorney Gary Luhman
Green County Courthouse
1016 16th Avenue
Monroe, Wisconsin 53566
(608)328-9424

In situations where you have received a Traffic Citation or a Municipal Citation for a violation of a City Code, details of the officer’s report on pending cases are available only after release from the Monroe City Attorney’s Office. The City Attorney only receives these reports after notification a citation is being contested, and will likely wish to review them first. Services for the City Attorney are contracted through:


Voegeli, Ewald & Bartholf Law Offices, S.C.
1750 10th Street
Monroe, WI. 53566
608-328-2000

Should you simply want to read the applicable City Code or Wisconsin Traffic Statutes, you may find them at the Monroe Public Library, or read them online at the underlined links above.

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Who do I contact if I wish to contest the charges against me, or ask for more time to decide what to do?

All court matters involving The Monroe Police Department are adjudicated through the Green County Circuit Court. To enter a plea, you should generally appear in court to do so. However, you may also contact the Clerk of Court Office on what would be procedurally correct in your given situation. The clerk’s office is located at:

Green County Clerk of Courts Office
1016 16th Street Monroe, WI 53566
Or call them at 608-328-9433

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Contact Us: Email or (608) 329-2400
File last modified: 1/23/2008