Wausau, WI Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor Permits (2026)

Wausau Municipal Code Chapter 5.60 makes it unlawful for any direct seller, defined to include peddlers, solicitors and transient merchants, to sell within the City without registering and obtaining a license (§ 5.60.010, § 5.60.020). Registration must be completed with the City Clerk no less than 30 days before selling begins and must list the seller's identity, vehicle, employer and the dates selling will occur (§ 5.60.040(a)). Food or beverage applicants are referred to the Marathon County Health Department for a certificate of health inspection (§ 5.60.040(b)(2)).

A nonrefundable fee under § 3.40.010(a) is due at registration, and the Clerk issues a license valid for one of four periods: 30, 60, 90 or 120 days (§ 5.60.040(e)). The Clerk refers applications to the Chief of Police for investigation and must refuse a license for material omissions, prior complaints from the last three municipalities worked, or a related criminal conviction (§ 5.60.050). A denied applicant may appeal through the Common Council's procedure or under Wis. Stat. §§ 68.07-68.16 (§ 5.60.060). Sellers must post a bond scaled to the price of the most expensive item sold, from $1,000.00 for goods under $1.00 up to $10,000.00 for goods over $250.00 (§ 5.60.070(d)).

Exemptions cover newspaper, fuel, dairy and bakery route deliveries, wholesale sales, growers selling their own produce, registered charitable organizations, and vendors in a licensed City special event (§ 5.60.030).