Business Licensing & Operations in Marathon County, WI (2026)

2 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.

Adult Entertainment

Marathon County confines adult entertainment businesses to its Commercial (C) zoning district as a conditional use, and bars them within 500 feet of another such business and 1,000 feet of any residential district, church, school, or public park.

Marathon County Adult Business Zoning

Significant Restrictions

Marathon County Code § 17.204.35(D)

D.Location.1.Zoning Districts. Adult entertainment uses may only be conditionally permitted in the Commercial District C.2.Separation Requirements. No adult entertainment use shall be permitted:a.Within 500 feet of any other existing Adult Entertainment Use, and/orb.Within 1,000 feet of any residentially zoned district, or any of the following residentially related uses:1)Churches, monasteries,...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tobacco Retail License

Marathon County bars selling or giving cigarettes, nicotine products (including vapes) or tobacco to anyone under 18, and bans vending machines within 500 feet of a school -- but the rule steps aside wherever the local town, village or city has its own ordinance.

Marathon County Nicotine & Vape Sale Rules

Some Restrictions

Marathon County Code § 9.63(2)(a), (2)(d)2

(a)No retailer, direct marketer, manufacturer, distributor, jobber or subjobber ... may sell or provide for nominal or no consideration cigarettes, nicotine products, or tobacco products to any person under the age of 18, except as provided in § 254.92(2)(a), Wis. Stats. ... (d)2.Notwithstanding subdiv. 1m., no retailer may place a vending machine within 500 feet of a school.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Business Licensing & Operations by City in Marathon County

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

WausauPop. 39,994

6 verified rules • Adult Entertainment, Auto Repair on Residential Property

RothschildPop. 5,567

2 verified rules • Adult Entertainment, Tobacco Retail License

All Marathon County ordinances

See every category we cover for Marathon County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Marathon County Ordinance Hub →