Building Setbacks & Zoning in Marathon County, WI (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Marathon County, Wisconsin.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Marathon County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Setback Rules

Marathon County's zoning Table 2 sets a 20-foot side and 35-foot rear yard setback in the General Agriculture (G-A) district, with road setbacks measured from the right-of-way centerline, but only where a town has adopted county zoning.

Marathon County Zoning Yard Setback Minimums

Some Restrictions

Marathon County Code § 17.202.01(A); § 17.202.02, Table 2 (G-A District)

17.202.01.Standard methods of measurement.A.Minimum Street Yard Setback Requirements. The minimum yard setback requirements listed in Table 2 shall be measured from the center line of road right-of-way and/or the right-of-way, whichever distance is greater, unless specifically noted otherwise. ... G-A General Agriculture 435,600 (10 ac) 200 (E) 200 See Section 17.202.03(F) 20 35 35 — 0.1

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Structure Height Limits

Marathon County's zoning Table 2 caps most residential and agricultural structures at 35 feet, Rural Residential included, with limited height exceptions for chimneys, silos, and steeples, and only where a town has adopted county zoning.

Marathon County Zoning Building Height Cap

Some Restrictions

Marathon County Code § 17.202.02, Table 2 (R-R District)

Table 2: SCHEDULE OF REGULATIONS FOR A STRUCTURE Zoning District Minimum Lot Minimum Yard Setback (A) Max. Building Height (feet) Max Lot Coverage (C) Max Density (Dwelling Units/Acre) Lot Area (sq. ft.)(acre) ** Easement Acreage Frontage (at street in feet) Width (at building line in feet) Road (F) (setback in feet from Right-of-Way) Side (feet) Rear (feet) U-R Urban Residential w/sanitary ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Lot Coverage Limits

Marathon County's Table 2 caps building footprint at 15 to 30 percent of lot area depending on zoning district, calculated as total structure square footage divided by lot area, and only where a town has adopted county zoning.

Marathon County Zoning Max Lot Coverage

Some Restrictions

Marathon County Code § 17.202.03(C)

17.202.03.Footnotes to the schedule of regulations.A.Shoreland-Wetland, and Floodplain Regulations and Provisions. Refer to Section 22.101 for shoreland wetland, and floodplain regulations and provisions.B.Setbacks from Septic/Private Onsite Waste Treatment System.1.POWTS in ground dispersal area (Drainfield).a.Building: Ten feet.b.Swimming Pool: Fifteen feet.2.Treatment Tank or Holding Tanks.a...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Building Setbacks & Zoning by City in Marathon County

2 cities in Marathon County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

WausauPop. 39,994

3 verified rules • Lot Coverage Limits, Setback Rules

RothschildPop. 5,567

2 verified rules • Setback Rules, Structure Height Limits

All Marathon County ordinances

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