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Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Wausau, WI (2026)

3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Wausau, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Sidewalk Repair

Wausau puts the job and the cost of building, replacing, and repairing sidewalks on the owner of the abutting property, with the City covering only crosswalk squares and part of a grade-change replacement under Wausau Municipal Code §§ 12.28.020 and 12.28.030.

Sidewalk Repair Duty in Wausau, WI

Some Restrictions

Wausau Municipal Code §§ 12.28.020, 12.28.030, 12.28.060

It shall be the duty of the owners of all lands in the City to lay sidewalks along the streets abutting their lands, and to keep the same in good condition and repair. ... All expenses and costs of construction, replacement or repair of any sidewalk shall be borne by the owner of the premises upon which such sidewalk abuts; provided:(a)When replacement of a sidewalk is made necessary by a chang...

Obstruction Rules

Wausau bans encroaching on or obstructing any street, alley, sidewalk, or public ground under Wausau Municipal Code § 12.44.020, but § 12.44.040 carves out narrow, itemized exceptions for architectural projections, awnings, canopies, brief loading, and permits, and the City can remove an unlawful obstruction itself after 24 hours' notice.

Sidewalk Obstruction Rules in Wausau, WI

Some Restrictions

Wausau Municipal Code §§ 12.44.020, 12.44.040, 12.44.060

No person shall encroach upon or in any way obstruct or encumber any street, alley, sidewalk, public grounds or land dedicated to public use, or any part thereof, or permit such encroachment or encumbrance to be placed or remain on any public way adjoining the premises of which he is the owner or occupant, except as provided in section 12.44.040. ... (g)Goods, wares, merchandise or fixtures bei...

Encroachment Permits

Placing a canopy, sign, artwork, planter, statue or similar obstruction on a Wausau public street, sidewalk or right-of-way requires a permit from the Public Health and Safety Committee. Permits run July 1 to June 30 and need $1,000,000.00 in liability coverage.

Wausau Sidewalk Obstruction Permit

Some Restrictions

Wausau Municipal Code § 5.63.030

5.63.030 - Permit required.(a)It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, place, maintain, or operate on any public street or sidewalk or in any other public way in the City any canopy, sign, work of art, planters, statues or other such obstruction without first having obtained a permit from the Public Health and Safety Committee of the Wausau Common Council.(1)No obstruction ...

Looking for Marathon County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Wausau city rules.

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Marathon County