The applications and documents provided are required for different land use developments within Marathon County.

General Zoning

• Zoning Permit Application
• Zoning Permit Help Sheet
• Zoning Permit Site Plan & Example
• Pond Permit (Application with Site Plan)

Shoreland Zoning

The purpose of shoreland zoning is to preserve and protect Marathon County’s rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, flowages, floodplains, and wetlands. Shoreland permitting is required for Significant Earthwork (Filling, Grading, or Excavation) within 300 feet of any navigable waterway as well as for proposed structures and developments within the shoreland overlay. The shoreland overly extends 1000 feet from all navigable ponds, lakes, and flowages and 300 feet from all navigable streams and rivers.

• Shoreland Alteration Permit Packet (Application and Site Plan)
• Shoreland Zoning Permit (Application)
• Setback Staking (Application)
• Mitigation Guide (Coming Soon).

Petition for Zone Changes (Rezone) or Petition to Amend Chapter 17

Petition for zone changes (also referred to as rezones) are requests to alter the existing zoning district classification of an area of land. Rezones are heard by the Marathon County Environmental Resources Committee (ERC) with final approval coming from the County Board. During the Staff review of your petition, important items such as the compatibility of the rezone with the Town Comprehensive Plan and County Farmland Preservation Plan will be addressed. Rezoning process generally takes two to three months.

• ERC Calendar
• Petition for Zoning Change - General
• Petition for Zone Change - From Farmland Preservation Zoning
• Rezone Help Packet
• Petition for Text Amendment to Chapter 17 of the Marathon County General Code of Ordinances

Board of Adjustment 

The purpose of the Marathon County Board of Adjustment is to hear and decide on administrative appeals, variance applications and applications for conditional uses as provided in Chapter 17 and Chapter 22.

• Appeal to Board of Adjustment (Petition)
• BOA Application Deadlines
• Conditional Use Permit (Application)
• Conditional Use Permit (Help-packet)
• Variance Petition (Application)
• Variance Petition (Help-packet)
• BOA Membership & Duties

The acronym POWTS stands for Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System, commonly known as a “septic or sanitary system.” The term POWTS refers to all types of private sewage systems, including conventional, at-grade, mound, holding tank, and other types of systems.

POWTS Applications, Forms, & Resources

Some of the most commonly used forms are provided in the links below:

• Existing POWTS Evaluation Report
• Holding Tank Agreement
• Holding Tank Servicing Contract
• Sanitary Permit Application
• Sanitary Permit Application for a Non-Plumbing Sanitation System (Privies)

• Annual Fee Schedule
• Operator Certification Form
• Reclamation Permit Application
• Reclamation Permit Transfer Form (Contact CPZ)
• Town Land Use Verification
• Village Land Use Verification

Zoning and regulatory applications and forms are available for public use to ensure any and all developments and projects proposed within Marathon County's jurisdiction adhere to all applicable standards and regulations while providing user friendly help-sheets and guides to assist residents, agents, and contractors while they navigate the regulatory process. The information provided on this page is associated with the issuance of zoning and regulatory permits which regulate the size, use, and location of a proposed development, the siting and installation of septic (POWTS) systems, and activities related to non-metallic and metallic mining.

Email: cpz@co.marathon.wi.us

Mail:

Marathon County CPZ
210 River Drive
Wausau WI 54403

In Person:

Appointments are preferred therefore please give our office a call at 715-261-6000 to schedule an appointment with zoning and regulatory staff.

210 River Drive
Wausau WI 54403

Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:30pm

NOTE: We do not provide information pertaining to building (Uniform Dwelling Code) permits. Please contact the building code officials responsible for your particular location to understand if a building permit is required.