Wausau, WI Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Wausau Municipal Code § 2.82.055
- Landmarks listed
- Nine properties currently designated
- Permit required
- Certificate of appropriateness (§ 2.82.070)
- Demolition review
- Can run up to 12 months (§ 2.82.080)
- Max penalty
- $100 forfeiture per day (§ 2.82.120)
- Appeal deadline
- 30 days to Administrative Review Board
Summary
Wausau's Historic Preservation Commission designates buildings and sites as local historic landmarks under Municipal Code § 2.82.055, currently naming nine properties including the Wausau Club, the Cyrus Yawkey House and the Old Engine No. 4 Fire House. Altering, removing or demolishing a landmark requires a certificate of appropriateness, and violations carry fines up to $100 per day.
2.82.055 - Local historic landmarks. The following properties are designated as local historic landmarks: (1)The property located at 309 McClellan Street (Wausau Club) and more particularly described as: ... (2)The property located at 403 McIndoe Street (Cyrus Yawkey House) and more particularly described as: ... Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a forfeiture of up to $100.00 for each separate violation. Each and every day during which a violation continues may be deemed to be a separate offense.
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
040). 055 lists the properties the Council has already designated as local historic landmarks, including 309 McClellan Street (the Wausau Club), 403 McIndoe Street (the Cyrus Yawkey House), 215 West Thomas Street (the Old Engine No. 4 Fire House), 529 North Third Street, 114 Grand Avenue, 317 North 1st Street (the Federal Building), 812 Grant Street (the Lyman Thayer House), and the St. James and St. Mary's Catholic Church buildings. 070, once a property carries this designation, its owner cannot construct, alter or remove any part of it, or a building on the same lot, without a certificate of appropriateness from the Commission.
The Building Inspection Department forwards every building permit application touching a landmark to the Commission within two business days, and the Commission, or a three-member ad hoc subcommittee, must decide within five to seven business days or the application is deemed approved. A certificate is valid for one year. 080 can be deferred by the Commission for up to 12 months while it works with the owner to find a way to save the building, though the Building Inspector can still permit emergency demolition of a hazardous structure within three months. 090). 100.
Violations & Fines
Anyone who performs or permits construction, alteration, removal or demolition on a designated landmark without a certificate of appropriateness violates Chapter 2.82 and faces a forfeiture of up to $100 for each separate violation under § 2.82.120. Each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense, so an unpermitted alteration left uncorrected can generate a new $100 forfeiture daily until a certificate is obtained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What properties are designated local historic landmarks in Wausau?
Do I need a permit to alter a landmark building in Wausau?
Can a designated landmark in Wausau be demolished?
What happens if I alter a Wausau landmark without approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wausau
Compare Wausau to another location·View the Wisconsin historic preservation overview
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