Marathon County, WI Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Marathon County, WI, also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances, set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Key Facts
- Applies to
- County park property only
- Permit issuer
- Parks Commission or agent
- Forfeiture
- $20.00
- Covered devices
- Sound trucks, loudspeakers, generators
Summary
Marathon County requires a written Parks Commission permit before anyone runs a sound truck, loudspeaker or other loud device in a county park, under the park nuisance rule at Section 19.03(3).
(3)Unreasonable noise. No person shall make or assist in making any noise tending to unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet of persons in the vicinity thereof unless the making and continuing of the same cannot be prevented and is necessary for the protection or preservation of property or of the health, safety, life or limb of some person. No person shall operate any sound truck, loudspeaker, generator, chainsaw, or other device that produces excessive, loud or unusual noises within any County Park except upon written permit issued by the Commission or its authorized agent upon such terms and conditions as will ensure that the public peace and said order will not be disturbed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 59).
Full Breakdown
Section 19.03(3) bars operating a sound truck, loudspeaker, generator, chainsaw or other device that produces excessive, loud or unusual noise within any County park unless the Parks Commission or its authorized agent has issued a written permit setting conditions to protect the public peace. The same subsection separately prohibits any noise that unreasonably disturbs the peace and quiet of others nearby. This rule reaches only county-owned park property: it is not a general county noise ordinance for private property or public streets, which Marathon County's code does not otherwise regulate for amplified sound.
Violations & Fines
Operating a sound truck, loudspeaker or similar device without a Commission permit in a county park carries a $20.00 forfeiture under the Section 19.14 unreasonable-noise line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play amplified music at a Marathon County park?
Does this rule cover noise outside county parks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marathon County
Compare Marathon County to another location·View the Wisconsin noise ordinances overview
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