How Wausau Handles Curfew Laws: A Practical Guide
Wausau maintains 127 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with curfew laws. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Wausau falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Park Curfew
Wausau closes every city park from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. under Municipal Code Section 9.20.020(3). The Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department enforces the closure, with exceptions for shelter renters, permitted special events allowed to stay until midnight, and travelers on the River Edge Trail, walkways across The 400 Block, and boat-landing traffic at any hour.
Key details: Curfew hours: 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., all city parks. Enforcing agency: Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation & Forestry Dept.. Shelter/event exception: Stays allowed until midnight or per event agreement. 24-hour exemptions: River Edge Trail, 400 Block walkways, boat landings. First-offense forfeiture: $10 to $200 under Section 1.01.110.
Chapter 9.20 sets no separate forfeiture for a curfew violation, so Section 1.01.110 governs: a first offense costs a forfeiture of not less than $10.00 nor more than $200.00, rising to at least $25.00 for a repeat conviction. Each night a person unlawfully remains in a park is a separate offense, and staff can also exclude a violator from future use of the facility.
Juvenile Curfew
Wausau bars anyone under 16 from public streets, parks and other public places between midnight and 6:00 a.m. without a parent, guardian or reasonable necessity. First-time contact draws only a warning; repeat violations bring forfeitures from $10.00 up to $50.00 under § 9.04.054.
Key details: Curfew hours: Midnight to 6:00 a.m., under-16s. First contact: Warning only, no forfeiture. Second violation: Up to $10.00 plus costs. Third violation: Up to $25.00 plus costs. Fourth-plus violation: Up to $50.00 plus costs.
No forfeiture attaches to a first curfew contact, which draws only the written or personal warning required by § 9.04.054(c). After that warning, a second violation carries a forfeiture of not more than $10.00 plus costs, a third not more than $25.00 plus costs, and a fourth or subsequent violation not more than $50.00 plus costs, all under § 9.04.054(d).
The Bottom Line
Wausau's curfew laws rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Wausau is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Wausau's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.