Marathon County, Wisconsin wind ordinance
Wind: 1.1 × height from property lines, 1.1 × height from roads, 50 dBA (daytime hours) noise limit. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read October 7, 2026.
Updated October 2026
Wind rules
6 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Property line setbackNonparticipating Property Lines 1.1 times the maximum blade tip height | 1.1 × height |
Road setbackPublic Road Right-of-Way 1.1 times the maximum blade tip height | 1.1 × height |
Setback from Overhead Communication and Electric Transmission or Distribution LinesOverhead Communication and Electric Transmission or Distribution Lines – not including utility service lines to individual houses or outbuildings 1.1 times the maximum blade tip height | 1.1 × height |
Setback from homes, participating ownerParticipating Residences 1.1 times the maximum blade tip height | 1.1 × height |
Noise limitdaytime hoursThe noise generated by the operation of a wind energy system may not exceed 50 dB(A) during the daytime hours and 45 dB(A) during the nighttime hours as measured at the outside wall of a nonparticipating residence | 50 dBA |
Noise limitnighttime hoursThe noise generated by the operation of a wind energy system may not exceed 50 dB(A) during the daytime hours and 45 dB(A) during the nighttime hours as measured at the outside wall of a nonparticipating residence | 45 dBA |
Source: Marathon County ordinance (PDF), read October 7, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
Wisconsin state law
State law can cap or override county rules. All Wisconsin rules and counties.
State siting: Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Projects of 100 MW or more need a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Public Service Commission.
Wis. Stat. 196.491 (PSC solar application filing requirements). Source
Limits on local rules
A local restriction on solar must protect health or safety, not raise cost or cut output much, or allow a comparable alternative.
Wis. Stat. 66.0401(1m) (DOE and Berkeley Lab inventory, June 2024). Source
Wind standards in state law
Caps local wind ordinances (a town or county may adopt these figures or looser ones, never stricter), and the PSC weighs the same standards when it reviews projects of 100 MW or more.
| Homes (non-participating) | lesser of 1,250 ft or 3.1 × tip height |
| Schools, churches, community buildings | lesser of 1,250 ft or 3.1 × tip height |
| Property line (non-participating) | 1.1 × tip height |
| Public roads | 1.1 × tip height |
| Noise | 50 dBA day, 45 dBA night |
| Shadow flicker | 30 hours/year |
Wis. Admin. Code PSC 128.10, 128.13, 128.14, 128.15 (effective March 1, 2011); Wis. Stat. 66.0401. Source
Every Wisconsin figure in one spreadsheet
34 figures from 5 counties and 2 towns and townships, each with its quote, source, date read and any condition. 4 of those places are not on this site. Plus Wisconsin state law.
How these figures were read
We found Marathon County's own ordinance and had two AI models read it separately. A figure is shown only when both read the same number and the sentence it comes from was found in the document. Moratoria and bans are checked against the adopting document. Ordinances change and many figures apply only in some cases, so check the cited section with the county before relying on one.
Common questions
What are the wind turbine setbacks in Marathon County, WI?
The county's ordinance sets wind turbines back 1.1 × height from property lines and 1.1 × height from roads. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.