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Wausau, WI Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Snow-emergency forfeiture
$100.00
Ordinary alternate-side forfeiture
$25.00
Who declares the emergency
Police Chief or Public Works Director
Governing section
Wausau Municipal Code § 10.20.040
Minimum towing removal fee
$25.00 plus towing costs
Standard alternate-side hours
2:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Summary

In Wausau, Marathon County, the Police Chief or Director of Public Works can declare a snow removal emergency under Municipal Code § 10.20.040, banning parking wherever parked cars would block plows. Officials may also post temporary odd/even restrictions on specific streets. A violation carries a $100.00 forfeiture, and cars left in the way can be towed.

10.20.040 - No parking during snow removal. (a)No person shall park a vehicle in any area where parking during a snow removal emergency has been prohibited. The Police Chief or Director of Public Works may declare a snow removal emergency where the parking of vehicles would impede snow removal operations.(b)The Police Chief and the Director of Public Works, and any employees within the table of organization of the Police Department and department of Public Works who are given such authority, may as winter conditions call for it, post temporary odd/even parking restrictions or prohibit parking along specific streets to facilitate the removal of snow, or post restrictions as necessary for public safety until the streets can be widened.(c)The forfeiture for a violation of this section shall be $100.00.

View official code

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": the emergency rule displaces the daily odd/even scheme wherever it is invoked. 040(a), the Police Chief or the Director of Public Works may declare a snow removal emergency any time parked vehicles would impede snow removal operations, and once declared, parking is prohibited in the affected area. 040(b) also lets the Police Chief, the Director of Public Works, and authorized employees within either department's table of organization post temporary odd/even parking restrictions on specific streets "as winter conditions call for it," or bar parking entirely along a street so crews can widen it after a heavy snowfall, or impose restrictions for public safety generally.

The ordinance itself sets no citywide calendar window or snowfall trigger amount: it hands the call to the two department heads street by street, communicated through posted signs. 00 removal fee, on top of whatever forfeiture applies to the underlying parking violation.

Violations & Fines

Parking in a posted snow-emergency zone violates § 10.20.040 and carries a $100.00 forfeiture under § 10.20.040(c), four times the standard $25.00 forfeiture for an ordinary alternate-side violation under § 10.20.030(f). A vehicle left in the way can also be towed under § 10.20.045, with the owner responsible for a minimum $25.00 removal fee plus towing costs, in addition to the parking forfeiture itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who declares a snow emergency in Wausau?
The Police Chief or the Director of Public Works, under § 10.20.040(a), whenever parked vehicles would impede snow removal operations. There is no set calendar window; the department heads call it street by street and post signs on affected blocks.
How much is the fine for parking during a snow emergency?
A $100.00 forfeiture under § 10.20.040(c), four times the standard $25.00 forfeiture for an ordinary alternate-side parking violation under § 10.20.030(f).
Can my car be towed for blocking snow removal in Wausau?
Yes. Under § 10.20.045, an officer can have it moved to a place of safekeeping, and the owner owes a minimum $25.00 removal fee plus towing costs, on top of the underlying parking forfeiture.
Does the regular odd/even parking rule still apply during a snow emergency?
No. Section 10.20.030(e)(2) exempts areas under a declared snow removal emergency from the daily 2:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. odd/even rule; posted emergency restrictions control instead.

Sources & Official References

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