Marathon County, WI Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Registration
- In person with County Clerk
- Individual fee
- $25.00 per year (§12.01)
- Bond range
- $1,000–$10,000 by item price
- Background check
- Sheriff's Department investigates applicant
- First-offense penalty
- $100–$500 forfeiture
Summary
Anyone selling goods door-to-door in Marathon County outside a fixed business address must register in person with the County Clerk, pass a Sheriff's Department background check, and post a bond before soliciting.
(1)Registration required. No person or business shall engage in direct sales within the County without being registered for that purpose as provided in this section. ... (4)(a)Individuals and businesses required to register must complete in person and file with the County Clerk a registration form furnished by the Clerk which shall require the following information and documentation of said information: 1.Name, date of birth, social security number, permanent address and telephone number and temporary address, if any.
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
Sec. 12.05 requires every direct seller, peddler, solicitor, or transient merchant working outside a permanent place of business, to register in person with the County Clerk. Applicants submit photo ID, vehicle details, a criminal-history disclosure, and (per Sec. 12.01(3)(a)) a $25.00 annual fee; a direct-seller business pays $50.00. Registrants also post a cash or surety bond scaled to the price of the priciest item sold, from $1,000.00 up to $10,000.00, to cover buyer refunds. The Sheriff's Department investigates each applicant, and the Clerk can refuse or later revoke registration for false statements, related prior convictions, or unresolved complaints. Permanent local merchants, wholesalers, and farmers selling their own crops are exempt.
Violations & Fines
Selling without registering, or violating any registration condition, is punishable by a forfeiture of $100–$500 for a first offense and $500–$1,000 for a repeat offense under Sec. 12.05(12).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Marathon County require a permit for door-to-door selling?
How much does direct-seller registration cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marathon County
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