How Wausau Handles Public Conduct: A Practical Guide

Wausau maintains 127 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with public conduct. 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.

Skateboarding Rules

Wausau bans skateboards, roller skates, and foot scooters from the entire downtown business district's streets and sidewalks, four named parking ramps, the transit center, and unauthorized park facilities under Wausau Municipal Code § 12.44.035, leaving only a narrow set of locations open.

Key details: Banned core zone: Entire downtown business district. Named parking ramps banned: Sears, Penneys, McClellan St., Jefferson St.. Also banned: Transit center, unauthorized park facilities. Narrow exception: In-line skates on sidewalk-less streets. Default fine: $10 to $200 (§1.01.110).

Wausau Municipal Code § 12.44.035 does not print its own forfeiture, so enforcement falls to the general penalty in § 1.01.110: a forfeiture of $10.00 to $200.00 per offense, rising to $25.00 to $200.00 for a repeat conviction, with each day of ongoing skating or skateboarding in a banned zone counted as a separate violation.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Wausau actively enforces its skateboarding rules requirements.

Public Alcohol Use

Wausau bans drinking or carrying an open container of alcohol on any public street, sidewalk, alley, parking lot or right-of-way, with one narrow carve-out: The 400 Block downtown, where liquor is allowed from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and during approved Special Events under Municipal Code § 9.04.025.

Key details: General rule: No drinking or open containers on public streets. 400 Block exception: Alcohol allowed 4-11 p.m. daily. Special event window: 2 hrs before to 1 hr after event. Private lots: Open containers barred without owner permission. Citation deposit: $50.00, Schedule of Deposits § 1.01.025.

A first violation is enforced as a general offense under Wausau Municipal Code Chapter 9.04, subject to the citation schedule administered by the Wausau Police Department, with the Municipal Ordinance Schedule of Deposits, § 1.01.025, listing a $50.00 stipulated deposit for a liquor-on-street citation. Absent a specific higher penalty, the general forfeiture range under § 1.01.110 of $10.00 to $200.00 per offense applies, with each day of a continuing violation counted separately.

This is one of the stricter rules in Wausau's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Wausau bans smoking in specific outdoor areas of city parks and city-owned property, including playgrounds, sports fields, swimming pools, the Oak Island Park skate facility, and tennis courts, plus a 50-foot buffer around those spots, under Municipal Code § 2.90.030. Violators face a forfeiture up to $200 per incident.

Key details: Governing section: Wausau Municipal Code § 2.90.030. Max penalty: $200 forfeiture per incident (§ 2.90.040). Buffer zone: Up to 50 feet around banned areas. Covered areas: Playgrounds, sports fields, pools, tennis courts, Oak Island skate park. Definition scope: Includes e-cigarettes and vape pens.

A person caught smoking, using smokeless tobacco or using tobacco products in a posted no-smoking outdoor area, inside a City-owned facility, or in a City-owned vehicle faces a forfeiture of up to $200 per separate incident under § 2.90.040. The municipal bail bond amount is set at $25 plus all assessments and costs, and City park staff and police enforce the posted boundaries.

Loud Party Ordinance

Wausau holds adults civilly responsible for hosting parties where anyone under 21 drinks, even without supplying the alcohol. A host who knowingly permits underage drinking on property they control faces a forfeiture up to $1,000.00 for repeat violations under Municipal Code § 9.04.028.

Key details: Who's liable: Adults controlling the property, present or not. Lookback period: 30 months from each violation date. First-tier forfeiture: Up to $500.00 plus costs. Repeat-tier forfeiture: Up to $1,000.00 plus costs. License risk: Suspension under Wis. Stats. § 125.07(1)(b)3.

A first social-host violation within 30 months forfeits up to $500.00 plus court costs; a second or subsequent violation in the same 30-month window forfeits up to $1,000.00 plus costs. All violations occurring at the same event count as a single violation for lookback purposes, and a licensed alcohol seller found liable also risks having that Wisconsin license suspended.

Loitering Rules

Wausau Municipal Code § 9.04.050 makes it unlawful to loiter, congregate, wander, or stand on private property posted with a "No Loitering" or "Patrons Only" sign, including in parked vehicles; the ban applies only where a qualifying notice, at least 8.5 by 11 inches, has actually been posted on that property.

Key details: Rule: Loitering banned only on posted private property. Sign spec: Min. 8.5 x 11 inch notice required. Covers: Includes loitering while parked in a vehicle. Bail schedule: $50.00 cash deposit (§1.01.025). General penalty: $10-$200 forfeiture per offense (§1.01.110).

A § 9.04.050 conviction falls under the citywide default penalty of Wausau Municipal Code § 1.01.110(a): a forfeiture of not less than $10.00 nor more than $200.00 for each offense, with the police department's cash-bail schedule under § 1.01.025 separately listing a $50.00 deposit for this offense; each day of continued loitering after notice can be charged as a separate offense under § 1.01.110(d).

Public Marijuana Use

Wausau makes possessing 25 grams or less of marijuana a municipal violation citywide, whether in public or private, under Municipal Code § 9.04.037. A conviction carries a forfeiture of $50.00 to $500.00 under § 9.04.038, unless the person faces a state marijuana charge instead.

Key details: Threshold: 25 grams or less of marijuana. Scope: Applies in public and private locations. Forfeiture: $50.00 to $500.00, § 9.04.038. Excluded: Over 25g or prior WI marijuana charge. Authority: Wis. Stats. § 66.0107(1)(bm).

A Wausau marijuana-possession citation under § 9.04.037 carries a forfeiture of not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00 under § 9.04.038, payable in Wausau Municipal Court rather than as a criminal fine. The citation option disappears once someone possesses more than 25 grams or already faces another Wisconsin marijuana possession charge; those cases proceed under state law instead of this ordinance.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Wausau actively enforces its public marijuana use requirements.

The Bottom Line

Wausau is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 3 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.

These rules come from Wausau's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.