Knowlton, WI

Marathon County does not impose a countywide decibel-based noise ordinance with fixed quiet hours for unincorporated areas. Public peace matters are addressed in Chapter 9 (Public Peace and Good Order) of the Marathon County Code of Ordinances, which adopts state disorderly-conduct standards under Wis. Stat. 947.01. Most noise complaints in unincorporated towns are handled by the Marathon County Sheriff's Office (non-emergency 715.261.1200) under that disorderly-conduct framework. Cities and villages within the county - including Wausau, Rothschild, Schofield, Mosinee, and Marathon City - have their own municipal noise ordinances that supersede county rules within their limits.

Marathon County requires every dog 5 months of age or older to be licensed annually, with a county-set minimum tax of $12 for a spayed/neutered dog and $20 for an unaltered dog; current rabies vaccination is required. Licenses must be obtained by April 1 each year or a $5 late fee applies. Wisconsin state law (Wis. Stat. 174.042) authorizes counties to impound dogs running at large, and Wis. Stat. 174.05-.13 governs dog licensing. Specific leash and at-large rules are set primarily by each city, village, and town; the Marathon County Sheriff's Office (715.261.1200) handles enforcement in unincorporated areas.

Marathon County does not set a county-wide occupancy cap on short-term rentals. Maximum guest count is fixed at the property's annual Tourist Rooming House inspection under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 72, based on sleeping-room size, egress and bathroom count. Wis. Stat. 66.1014 prevents any local government from banning rentals of seven consecutive days or longer.

Marathon County does not run a county-wide STR parking standard. Off-street parking for short-term rentals in unincorporated towns is set by Marathon County General Code Chapter 17 (zoning) where the town has opted into county comprehensive zoning, plus the host town's own road and parking rules. Wis. Stat. 66.1014 expressly preserves local parking enforcement against STR guests.

Short-term rentals in unincorporated Marathon County must hold a state Tourist Rooming House (TRH) license under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 72, inspected and issued through the Marathon County Health Department as DATCP's local agent. Local room tax under Wis. Stat. 66.0615 is imposed by individual towns, villages and cities (such as the Town of Rib Mountain at 8%), not by the county itself.

Wis. Stat. §66.1014 preempts local STR bans for stays of 7 consecutive days or more. Hosts renting more than 10 nights per year must hold a Tourist Rooming House license from Wisconsin DATCP. Marathon County does not run a county-wide STR permit; municipal rules vary.

Marathon County zoning (General Code Ch. 17) regulates accessory structures and second dwellings only in the 42 towns that have adopted county comprehensive zoning. Wausau, Rothschild, Schofield, Weston, Mosinee, Kronenwetter, and other incorporated cities/villages administer their own zoning codes. Wisconsin has no statewide ADU mandate.

Pool barriers governed by the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (Wis. Admin. Code SPS 320-325) for one- and two-family dwellings, which adopts IRC Appendix AG barrier standards. A 48-inch enclosure with self-closing, self-latching gates is the typical requirement. Marathon County zoning adds local setback rules in unincorporated areas.

Marathon County General Code Ch. 17 (Zoning) includes the County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance, mandated by Wis. Stat. §87.30 and Wis. Admin. Code NR 116, and tied to FEMA NFIP Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Major flood-prone corridors include the Wisconsin River, Eau Claire River, Big Rib River, and Eau Pleine River.