Wausau, WI Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- Midnight to 6:00 a.m., under-16s
- First contact
- Warning only, no forfeiture
- Second violation
- Up to $10.00 plus costs
- Third violation
- Up to $25.00 plus costs
- Fourth-plus violation
- Up to $50.00 plus costs
Summary
Wausau bars anyone under 16 from public streets, parks and other public places between midnight and 6:00 a.m. without a parent, guardian or reasonable necessity. First-time contact draws only a warning; repeat violations bring forfeitures from $10.00 up to $50.00 under § 9.04.054.
(a)Children under 16 years of age. It shall be unlawful for any person under 16 years of age to be on foot, bicycle or in any type of vehicle on any public street, avenue, highway, road, alley, park, school grounds, swimming beach, cemetery, playground, public building or any other public place in the City between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. each day unless accompanied by their parent or guardian, or person having lawful custody and control of the child, or unless there exists a reasonable necessity therefor. ... (d)Penalty. Any child described in subsections (a) through (b) of this section who has been warned in the manner provided in subsection (c) of this section and who thereafter violates any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to the following penalties:(1)A forfeiture of not more than $10.00 plus costs for a second violation;(2)A forfeiture of not more than $25.00 plus costs for a third violation;(3)A forfeiture of not more than $50.00 plus costs for a fourth or subsequent violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 12 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
, unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or other person with lawful custody, or unless a reasonable necessity exists. A child found unaccompanied in a public place during those hours is prima facie evidence of a violation. Subsection (b) exempts a child running an errand directed by a parent or guardian, a child on their own premises or the immediately adjacent area, a child whose employment requires being out during curfew hours, and a child returning home within a half hour of a supervised school, church, civic, sporting or entertainment event.
The ordinance is graduated: the first time a Wausau police officer detains a child, or notifies the parent, guardian or custodian, under this section, subsection (c) requires only a personal or registered-mail warning describing the curfew and the penalties that follow a later violation. Only after that warning does subsection (d)'s forfeiture schedule apply, and it escalates by violation count rather than starting at the first offense.
Violations & Fines
No forfeiture attaches to a first curfew contact, which draws only the written or personal warning required by § 9.04.054(c). After that warning, a second violation carries a forfeiture of not more than $10.00 plus costs, a third not more than $25.00 plus costs, and a fourth or subsequent violation not more than $50.00 plus costs, all under § 9.04.054(d).
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does curfew start for kids in Wausau?
Will my child get a ticket the first time they're caught out past curfew?
Are there exceptions to Wausau's youth curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wausau
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Juvenile Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Marathon County handle juvenile curfew.