The function of this Comprehensive Plan is to establish a framework to influence future policy decisions with the goal of making Marathon County the healthiest, safest, and most prosperous county in the state. You can also find more information on Comprehensive Planning Legislation.

Municipal plans can be found on this page, on the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission website, or on the municipality's website. Note that these files are typically quite large.

2026 Comprehensive Plan Update

• If you have a comment you would like the County to consider in the 2026 Update, scroll down this page to fill out the feedback form.

2026 Comprehensive Plan Draft (Updated 02/09/2026)

Marathon County 2026 Comprehensive Plan Draft

Summary of Draft Plan Goals and Objectives by Chapter

Upcoming Input Opportunities

• Thursday, February 12, 2026, 3PM: Executive Committee: Discussion of Marathon County Comprehensive Plan 2026 Draft. For information about the meeting, please go HERE.

Public Hearing

The Marathon County Executive Committee will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 3 PM in the Marathon County Courthouse - Assembly Room, to consider adoption of an updated Comprehensive Plan. Updates to the plan include updated data, maps, studies, background, goals, objectives, and action strategies. This plan will serve as a guide for future decision making in the areas of: housing, transportation, infrastructure and community character, land use, agricultural, natural resources; recreation, tourism, and cultural resources; education, workforce development and economic development; public safety, health and human services, and intergovernmental cooperation. The update is being done in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 66.1001.

How to Review the Comprehensive Plan Update

• At Marathon County Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Department (CPZ) 1100 Lake View Drive, Suite 400, Wausau, WI 54403
• Online at all Marathon County Public Library branches. For locations and hours, visit: https://mcpl.us/about/locations/  or call 715-261-7200. A paper copy is available for review at the Wausau Branch.

How to Submit Comments & Get Further Information

• In writing to: Marathon County CPZ, Attention: Jeff Pritchard, 1100 Lake View Drive, Wausau, WI 54403
• By email to: jeff.pritchard@marathoncounty.gov & laurie.miskimins@marathoncounty.gov or use the form at the bottom of this page.
• During the Public Hearing: Thursday, March 12th, 2026: 3 PM @ 500 Forest Street, Wausau, WI 54403 in the Courthouse Assembly Room. Additional details about the meeting will be posted on the Marathon County website at www.marathoncounty.gov/about-us/county-calendar.

Written comments will be forwarded to the Executive Committee for their consideration. To ensure adequate review by the Executive Committee,  written comments should be submitted by 12 noon on Wednesday, March 11th, using the methods listed above. All interested persons wishing to provide testimony during the March 12th Public Hearing will be given an opportunity to do so.

2024 Comprehensive Plan Documents

On October 22, 2024, the County Board amended the 2016 Comprehensive Plan to add components necessary to fully adopt and incorporate the Marathon County Farmland Preservation Plan 2024-2033, and keep Marathon County eligible for farmland preservation tax credits. The adopted plan below highlights the areas changed in this amendment.

• 2024 Comprehensive Plan
• Appendix A: Farmland Preservation Plan (Adopted)
• Map 9-4: Farmland Preservation Areas (Updated in 2024. All Other Maps from 2016 remain unchanged)