Wausau's Property Maintenance: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles property maintenance a little differently. In Wausau, Wisconsin, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

Wausau property owners must keep the sidewalk in front of their land clear of snow and ice at all times without waiting for a City notice, and the City can clear it and bill the owner through the tax roll under Wausau Municipal Code §§ 12.28.050 and 12.28.060.

Key details: Duty holder: Abutting property owner. Notice required first?: No, duty runs at all times. City remedy: Clear then bill as special tax. Where cleared snow may go: Boulevard strip, not street/alley. Default fine: $10 to $200 (§1.01.110).

Wausau Municipal Code § 12.28.050 does not itself list a forfeiture, so a failure to clear snow falls back to the general penalty in § 1.01.110: a forfeiture of $10.00 to $200.00 per offense, with a repeat violation rising to $25.00 to $200.00, on top of whichever special tax the City assesses under § 12.28.060(b) or § 12.52.030 for the cost of clearing the walk itself.

Property Blight

Wausau's Building Inspector can order an owner to raze, remove or repair any building so old, dilapidated or unsafe that it is unfit for human use, under Municipal Code Section 15.32.010, following the process in Wis. Stat. Section 66.0413. The City separately declares such dilapidated, dangerous structures a public nuisance under Section 9.24.050(g).

Key details: Trigger: Building 'dangerous, unsafe, insanitary or unfit' for use. Ordering authority: City Building Inspector, Section 15.32.010. Owner's options: Raze and remove, or repair and make safe. State process: Wis. Stat. Section 66.0413 governs order and proceedings. Nuisance status: Also declared a nuisance under Section 9.24.050(g).

Chapter 15.32 sets no standalone fine; failing to comply with a razing or repair order exposes an owner to the City completing the work and assessing the cost against the property as a special tax charge, similar to the excavation remedy in Section 9.24.060. A nuisance citation under Chapter 9.24 instead carries a forfeiture of $1,000.00 to $2,500.00 for a first offense and $2,500.00 to $5,000.00 for a repeat offense within 24 months, under Section 9.24.090.

Compared to other cities, Wausau takes a harder line on property blight. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Wausau treats trash, rubbish, rotting lumber and other vermin-breeding debris left on any property, improved or vacant, as a public health nuisance. Section 9.24.030(c) bans the accumulation, Section 9.24.030(f) separately nuisance-lists rank vegetation, and Section 9.24.090 backs both with steep forfeitures.

Key details: Nuisance trigger: Trash, rubbish, vermin-breeding debris. Applies to: Any premises, improved or vacant. First offense forfeiture: $1,000 to $2,500. Repeat offense (24 mo.): $2,500 to $5,000. Also nuisance-listed: Noxious weeds, rank vegetation.

Maintaining trash, rubbish, rotting lumber, scrap metal or other vermin-breeding debris on any premises, improved or vacant, violates Section 9.24.030(c) and Section 9.24.090 sets the penalty: a forfeiture of not less than $1,000.00 nor more than $2,500.00 for a first offense, rising to not less than $2,500.00 nor more than $5,000.00 for a second violation of Chapter 9.24 committed within 24 months.

Compared to other cities, Wausau takes a harder line on vacant lot maintenance. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Wausau is tougher than many cities when it comes to property maintenance. Out of the 3 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Wausau, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Wausau can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.