Madison, WI Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)
Tiny home rules in Madison, WI, covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds, determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Key Facts
- Foundation Tiny
- Allowed as ADU or primary
- THOWs
- Not for permanent residence
- Code
- WI UDC applies
- ADU Option
- MGO 28.151
- Min Size
- Per UDC standards
Summary
Tiny homes on foundations are allowed in Madison if they meet WI Uniform Dwelling Code and zoning minimum dwelling size. Tiny houses on wheels are treated as RVs and not allowed for permanent residence outside RV parks.
Conditional use permits. (a) In this subsection: 1. “Conditional use” means a use allowed under a conditional use permit, special exception, or other special zoning permission issued by a county, but does not include a variance. 2. “Substantial evidence” means facts and information, other than merely personal preferences or speculation, directly pertaining to the requirements and conditions an applicant must meet to obtain a conditional use permit and that reasonable persons would accept in support of a conclusion. (b) 1. If an applicant for a conditional use permit meets or agrees to meet all of the requirements and conditions specified in the county ordinance or those imposed by the county zoning board, the county shall grant the conditional use permit.
Full Breakdown
Madison does not have a tiny-home-specific ordinance, so tiny dwellings are regulated by default under MGO 28 zoning and WI Uniform Dwelling Code. A permanent tiny home on a foundation can serve as a primary dwelling or as an ADU under MGO 28.151. Primary dwellings must meet the UDC minimum habitable area (roughly 150 square feet per occupant with kitchen and bath) and zoning district dimensional standards. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are classified as recreational vehicles; living in them permanently on a residential lot is prohibited by MGO 28 and MGO 9.49. They may only be used as permitted recreational vehicles, stored under RV parking rules, or occupied in licensed RV parks. Madison participated in planning for the Occupy Madison tiny house village for formerly homeless residents, a special land-use case. Building Inspection handles UDC compliance; Planning handles zoning questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I live in a tiny house on wheels in Madison?
Can a tiny home be my ADU?
Sources & Official References
- [1]MGO 28.151
Other rules in Madison
Compare Madison to another location·View the Wisconsin accessory structures overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.