Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Marathon County, WI Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Permit needed
For any public meeting/assembly
Lead time
48 hours before event
Issued by
Parks Commission or agent
No-permit forfeiture
$40.00

Summary

Anyone wanting to hold a public meeting or gathering in a Marathon County park must get a Parks Commission permit at least 48 hours ahead, under Section 19.02 of the county code.

City-specific rules exist: Wausau has its own park event permits rules that differ from Marathon County's county-level regulations. If you live in Wausau, check the city-specific page instead.

(1)Public meetings.(a)Any person desiring to hold a public meeting of any kind in any park shall first obtain a permit from the Commission or its authorized agent. The permit shall be applied for not less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled event.(b)Permits will be granted for the purpose of holding any lawful public assembly in accordance with published regulations governing the reasonable use of parks.(2)Sales. No person shall sell or offer for sale any goods, merchandise or service in any park, except as authorized by the Department and when holding proper licenses.(3)Soliciting boat rides. No person shall use in any manner the dock, pier, wharf, boat landing, mooring facilities in or the waters in or immediately adjacent to any County park for the purpose of soliciting rides of any kind unless authorized by the Commission.(4)Posting bills or advertising. No person shall distribute or post bills or advertisements in any park without written consent of the Commission. (O-7-01; O-4-19; O-12-25)

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 59).

Full Breakdown

Section 19.02(1) of Marathon County's parks ordinance requires anyone who wants to hold a public meeting of any kind in a County park to first obtain a permit from the Park Commission or its authorized agent, applied for no less than 48 hours before the event. Permits are granted for lawful public assembly under the Commission's published regulations for reasonable park use. Reserving a shelter or facility for a private gathering additionally requires a signed use agreement, the rental fee, and any security or key deposit under the separate Section 19.01(6).

Violations & Fines

Holding a public meeting in a county park without a permit carries a $40.00 forfeiture under the Section 19.14 schedule of cash deposits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far ahead must I apply for a Marathon County park meeting permit?
At least 48 hours before the scheduled event, per Section 19.02(1)(a); the permit is issued by the Parks Commission or its authorized agent.
Is a separate permit needed to reserve a shelter for a private event?
Yes. Shelters and facilities require a signed use agreement, the rental fee, and any security or key deposit under Section 19.01(6), on top of any meeting permit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Marathon County

All Marathon County rules

Compare Marathon County to another location·View the Wisconsin special events & permits overview

Get notified when Park Event Permits in Marathon County, WI changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Park Event Permits in Cities Across Marathon County