What Madison Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Madison is a mid-sized city in Dane County, Wisconsin, with about 270000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 204 ordinances across 41 categories that affect daily life in Madison.

Animal Ordinances

Exotic Pets: Madison MGO 23.32 prohibits keeping wild, exotic, or dangerous animals as pets including big cats, wolves, venomous reptiles, nonhuman primates, and bears. State rules under WI Stat 169 also apply..

Also covered: Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Wildlife Feeding (strict), Pet Limits (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Madison for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Madison requires a minimum 48-inch barrier around all residential pools over 24 inches deep, with self-closing self-latching gates, per WI UDC and MGO Chapter 29. Barriers must be in place before the pool is filled..

Also covered: Hot Tub Rules (permissive), Pool Permits (moderate), Safety Rules (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Madison for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Removal of any public or terrace tree in Madison requires a permit from the City Forester under MGO 10.10. Private tree removal generally does not require a permit but is regulated in landmark tree and shoreland zones..

Also covered: Artificial Turf (moderate), Rainwater Harvesting (permissive), Native Plants (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Madison for details.

Building Safety

Lead Paint: Madison pre-1978 housing is subject to Wisconsin lead-safe renovation rules under WI Stat. Chapter 254 and WI DHS 163.

Also covered: Pest Control (moderate), Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed (moderate), Elevator Maintenance (strict). See the full building safety guide for Madison for details.

HOA Rules

CC&R Enforcement: Madison HOA CCRs are enforced under Wisconsin contract and real property law. WI Stat.

Also covered: Board Procedures (moderate), Assessment & Dues (moderate), Dispute Resolution (moderate). See the full hoa rules guide for Madison for details.

Fire Regulations

Smoke Detectors: Madison enforces WI Stat 101.145 requiring smoke alarms on every floor and in every sleeping room of residential dwellings. Rental properties must have interconnected alarms verified at each tenant turnover under MGO 27.05..

Also covered: Backyard Fires (moderate), Wildfire Zones (permissive), Brush Clearance (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Madison for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Night Caps: Madison caps non-owner-occupied short-term rentals at 30 nights per calendar year under WI Stat. 66.1014 and MGO Chapter 32.

Also covered: Occupancy Limits (moderate), Insurance Requirements (moderate), Registration Rules (strict). See the full short-term rentals guide for Madison for details.

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Events: Amplified music in Madison is tightly regulated under MGO Chapter 24, especially in the downtown and UW-Madison campus area. Sound audible beyond 50 feet or across property lines after 10 PM is presumptively a violation..

Also covered: Aircraft Noise (permissive), Vehicle Noise (moderate), Industrial Noise (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Madison for details.

Fence Regulations

Fence Requirements: Madison enforces a vision triangle at corner lots under MGO Chapter 28. Fences, walls, and landscaping in the triangle must be no taller than about 30 inches to preserve driver sight lines..

Also covered: Material Restrictions (permissive), Pool Barriers (strict), Height Limits (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Madison for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Permits: Madison is one of the Midwest's most ADU-friendly cities. Madison General Ordinances (MGO) Chapter 28 (Zoning Code) permits accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by-right in most residential districts (TR-C1, TR-C2, TR-C3, TR-C4, TR-V1, TR-V2, TR-U1, TR-U2, SR-C1, SR-C2, SR-V1, SR-V2) following the 2013 zoning code rewrite.

Also covered: Tiny Homes (moderate), Carport Rules (moderate), ADU Impact Fees (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Madison for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Madison prohibits exterior signage for home occupations in residential zones under MGO 31 and 28.151. One small nameplate is generally allowed.

Also covered: Home Occupation Permits (moderate), Cottage Food Operations (permissive), Home Daycare (moderate). See the full home business guide for Madison for details.

Parking Rules

Overnight Parking: Madison enforces citywide alternate-side parking November 15 through March 15 from 1 AM to 7 AM, the signature winter parking rule. Park on odd-numbered side on odd dates, even side on even dates.

Also covered: Driveway Rules (moderate), EV Charging (permissive), Abandoned Vehicles (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Madison for details.

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Garage sale signs are permitted on private property with owner permission. Signs in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, and on traffic signs are prohibited.

Also covered: Political Signs (permissive), Holiday Displays (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Madison for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Madison permits rooftop and ground-mount solar by right under MGO 28.151. Building and electrical permits required; typical fee $100-$300.

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Madison for details.

Single-Use Items

Plastic Bag Rules: Wisconsin Act 302 (2016), codified at Wis. Stat.

Also covered: Utensils-On-Request (permissive), Plastic Straw Rules (permissive), Polystyrene Foam Rules (permissive). See the full single-use items guide for Madison for details.

Tobacco & Vaping

Tobacco Age Restrictions: Madison enforces Tobacco 21 under Wis. Stat.

Also covered: Flavored Tobacco Bans (moderate), Vape Retail Rules (moderate). See the full tobacco & vaping guide for Madison for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: Home cannabis cultivation remains illegal in Wisconsin under WI Stat. 961.

Also covered: Cannabis Delivery Rules (strict), Personal Cultivation Limits (strict), Buffer Zones (permissive). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Madison for details.

Employment Preemption

Minimum Wage Preemption: Wisconsin's minimum wage matches the federal $7.25 per hour. Wis.

Also covered: Paid Leave Preemption (permissive). See the full employment preemption guide for Madison for details.

Rental Property Rules

Source-of-Income Discrimination: Wisconsin Act 317 (2017) preempts Madison's earlier ban on source-of-income housing discrimination, except that landlords may still not refuse Section 8 vouchers when public-housing authorities require nondiscrimination. Madison enforces the remaining protections through Equal Opportunities Ord.

Also covered: Relocation Assistance (permissive), Security Deposit Rules (moderate), Section 8 Voucher Acceptance (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Madison for details.

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Encampment Sanitation: Madison administers sanctioned and unsanctioned encampments through joint city-county outreach. Public Health Madison and Dane County, plus Streets Division, provide trash, sharps disposal, and hand-washing while Porchlight conducts case management..

Also covered: Bridge Housing Siting (permissive), Sit-Lie Rules (moderate). See the full homelessness & encampment rules guide for Madison for details.

Public Health Rules

Bed-Bug Rules: Wisconsin Act 76 (2018) preempts most local landlord-tenant rules, but Madison still treats bed bug infestations as Ch. 27 housing-code violations requiring owner-paid extermination in rental units..

Also covered: Restaurant Grade Cards (moderate), Rodent Control (moderate), Syringe Disposal (permissive). See the full public health rules guide for Madison for details.

Environmental Rules

Erosion Control: Madison MGO 37 requires erosion control plans for any disturbance of 4,000+ sq ft. Silt fence, inlet protection, and stabilized construction entrances mandatory.

Also covered: Gas Leaf Blower Ban (moderate), Climate Emergency Mobilization (moderate), Sustainable Procurement (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Madison for details.

Mobility & Curb Rules

Shared E-Scooter Rules: Madison regulates shared electric scooters and dockless bikes through a city permit program operated by Madison Transportation, requiring rider speed limits, parking corrals near BRT stops, and compliance with Wisconsin's e-scooter statute..

Also covered: Bike Lane Rules (moderate). See the full mobility & curb rules guide for Madison for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Adult Entertainment: Madison regulates adult-oriented businesses under MGO Ch. 23.07 with location, licensing, and operations standards.

Also covered: Secondhand Dealers (moderate), Tobacco Retail License (moderate), Pawnbrokers (moderate). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Madison for details.

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses

Density Bonus Law: Madison Zoning Code Ch. 28 offers density bonuses, height bonuses, and parking reductions to projects committing affordable units, supporting the Imagine Madison plan and complying with state inclusionary-zoning limits set by Wisconsin Act 26..

Also covered: Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) (moderate), Specific Plans Overview (moderate). See the full zoning overlays & bonuses guide for Madison for details.

Water Use Rules

Lawn Watering Restrictions: Madison Water Utility, a public utility under city control, may impose odd-even or time-of-day lawn-watering restrictions during peak demand or drought to protect aquifer levels and maintain firefighting reserves across the isthmus service area..

Also covered: Recycled Water Rules (moderate), Turf Replacement Rebates (permissive), Leak Reporting Duty (moderate). See the full water use rules guide for Madison for details.

Tree Protection

Parkway Planting: Madison Tree Code Chapter 27 places street trees in the terrace between sidewalk and curb under City Forester jurisdiction, requiring permits for any planting, pruning, or removal and specifying approved species suited to Madison's climate and soils..

Also covered: Tree Removal Permits (moderate), Heritage & Protected Trees (moderate), Tree Replacement Requirements (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Madison for details.

Public Conduct

Public Marijuana Use: Madison MGO 23.20 decriminalizes possession of up to 28 grams of cannabis on private property to a $1 civil forfeiture. Public consumption remains a citation, and state law still classifies cannabis as illegal..

Also covered: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (moderate), Public Alcohol Use (moderate), Loud Party Ordinance (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for Madison for details.

Immigration Policy

Sanctuary Policy Preemption: Madison operates an informal Welcoming City policy: police do not ask about immigration status during ordinary contacts and limit cooperation with ICE detainers. Wisconsin law constrains formal sanctuary designations..

Holiday Decorations

Inflatable Display Rules: Madison has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. MGO Chapter 24 (Noise) sets residential noise standards that could theoretically apply to overnight blower motors.

Also covered: Holiday Light Rules (permissive), Lawn Ornament Rules (moderate). See the full holiday decorations guide for Madison for details.

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane Rules: Madison Fire Code under MGO Chapter 34 adopts the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (SPS 361-366) and Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 314 (Fire Prevention) which incorporate the International Fire Code (IFC). IFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas tanks over 1 pound on combustible balconies of buildings with three or more dwelling units.

Also covered: Outdoor Kitchen Permits (moderate), Smoker Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor cooking guide for Madison for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: Madison imposes a 9% room tax on hotel and short-term lodging stays under MGO Ch. 4.21, on top of Wisconsin's 5.5% sales tax, for an effective tax rate of about 14.5% on hotel rooms..

Property Maintenance

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing: Madison requires property owners to clear sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours after snowfall ends under MGO 10.28. Failure to clear results in City contractor abatement with charges billed to the property..

Also covered: Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Property Blight (strict), Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Madison for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Structure Height Limits: Madison height limits vary by district: 35 ft in most residential (TR-C), up to 12 stories in DC (Downtown Core) with view-corridor protections for the Wisconsin State Capitol under WI Stat 13.48(2)..

Also covered: Setback Rules (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Madison for details.

Drone Rules

Commercial Drones: Commercial drone operations in Madison require FAA Part 107 certification and LAANC authorization for Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) Class C airspace. Additional permits required for takeoff from City parks or public property..

Also covered: Recreational Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Madison for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Madison enforces a juvenile curfew under MGO 25.07. Minors under 17 are prohibited from being in public places between 11 PM and 5 AM Sunday through Thursday, and midnight to 5 AM Friday and Saturday, with exceptions for work and parental accompaniment..

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Madison for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: Madison does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales. Sales are limited in frequency and duration.

Also covered: Time Restrictions (permissive), Frequency Limits (permissive). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Madison for details.

Trash & Recycling

Pickup Rules & Schedules: Madison Streets Division provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection to single-family and small multi-family properties. Set out carts by 7 AM on collection day.

Also covered: Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (moderate), Recycling Requirements (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Madison for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Madison MGO 10.085 outdoor lighting ordinance requires full cutoff fixtures for new commercial installations and limits light trespass. Enacted to reduce glare, energy use, and skyglow affecting UW-Madison Washburn Observatory..

Also covered: Light Trespass (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Madison for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Madison issues mobile vending licenses through the Clerk's Office under MGO 9.13. Annual fee ~$500-$1,000.

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Madison for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Door-to-door commercial solicitors in Madison must obtain a Direct Seller license under MGO Chapter 9. Applications require ID, background information, and a fee.

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Madison for details.

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for Madison includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.