Fence Regulations in Wausau, WI (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Wausau, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Wausau caps residential fences at four feet in the front or street yard and six feet in the side or rear yard across most residential districts, with eight feet allowed in RH-35 and the commercial and industrial districts. Every fence near a street corner must also clear a 20-to-30-foot vision triangle so drivers can see cross traffic.
Fence Height Limits in Wausau, WI
Some RestrictionsWausau Municipal Code §§ 23.06.05(4), 23.06.40(6)
(4)Vision triangle at public streets. A vision triangle extending 20 feet from all public street right-of-way intersections shall be maintained for local street intersections and 30 feet when the intersection includes collector or arterial streets. ... No wall, fence, structure, utility structure or appurtenance, or vegetation shall be permitted within such vision triangle which materially impe...
Fence Permit Requirements
Every fence in Wausau needs the Zoning Administrator's review and approval plus a building permit, unless the design instead triggers a conditional use permit. The only exception is temporary fencing: snow fences from November 1 to April 1, and construction or excavation barriers tied to an active building permit.
Fence Permit Rules in Wausau, WI
Some RestrictionsWausau Municipal Code § 23.06.40(3)-(4)
(3)Review and approval. Fences shall be reviewed and approved by the zoning administrator, and shall require a building permit, unless the proposed fence requires a conditional use permit.(4)Temporary fencing. Permits are not required for temporary fencing. Temporary fencing shall be permitted for the following purposes:(a)The use of wood or plastic snow fences for the purposes of limiting snow...
Retaining Walls
Wausau requires a building permit before any retaining wall is built or rebuilt, and the Building Inspector can demand engineer- or architect-approved plans before signing off. Owners must also keep existing walls in safe, presentable repair or face a City-ordered fix under Municipal Code § 15.30.010 and § 15.30.020.
Retaining Wall Permit Rules, Wausau WI
Some RestrictionsWausau Municipal Code §§ 15.30.010, 15.30.020
(a)A building permit shall be obtained whenever a retaining wall is to be constructed or reconstructed.(b)Prior to issuance of such permit, construction or reconstruction plans and design data of the proposed structure shall be submitted to and approved by the Building Inspector, who may require that the plans be approved by a registered professional engineer or architect. The applicant may app...
Material Restrictions
Wausau's zoning code bans rope, wire netting, broken glass, corrugated or galvanized sheet metal, plywood, pallets, and plastic panels in any fence, and forbids permanent chicken wire or snow fencing. Chain link is barred from front yards in every residential district, and barbed wire is allowed only on top of security fencing in industrial or institutional zones.
Fence Material Rules in Wausau, WI
Significant RestrictionsWausau Municipal Code § 23.06.40(5)
2.Fences shall not be constructed using the following materials:a.Rope, string, wire products, netting, cut or broken glass, paper, metal panels, corrugated metal panels, galvanized sheet metal, plywood, pallets, fiberglass or plastic panels.3.Rules related to specific materials.a.Permanent chicken wire fences or snow fences shall not be used.b.Wire mesh and chain link fencing is not permitted ...
Looking for Marathon County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Wausau city rules.
Fence Regulations in Marathon County →