How Madison Handles Property Maintenance: A Practical Guide

Madison maintains 144 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with property maintenance. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Madison falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

MGO § 10.28 requires property owners to clear snow and ice from abutting sidewalks by noon the day after it accumulates, regardless of source, and to sand icy walks that can't be cleared. Corner-lot owners must clear both intersecting sidewalks.

Key details: Clearing deadline: Noon, day after snowfall. First offense forfeiture: $20-$50. Repeat offense forfeiture: $30-$100. Corner lots: Must clear both sidewalks. Governing section: MGO § 10.28.

Any person violating § 10.28 is subject to a forfeiture of not less than $20 nor more than $50 for a first offense, and not less than $30 nor more than $100 for any subsequent offense. Each day the violation continues is a separate offense, so an uncleared walk left for several days can generate multiple citations.

Property Blight

A vacant, unsecured building in Madison is a declared public nuisance the owner must abate by securing it, boarding openings, clearing trespassers and animal debris, and fire- or damage-hazard buildings that can't be conventionally locked must instead be fenced off entirely.

Key details: Governing section: MGO § 27.05(2)-(3). Vacant + unsecured: Declared a public nuisance. Boarding approval: Prior written OK from Building Inspection. Fire/damage buildings: Must be fenced off entirely. Notice before sale/unboarding: 10 days written notice required.

The Director of Building Inspection administers and enforces this section; failure to comply with a lawful abatement order under Chapter 27 can trigger a $75 compliance-inspection fee for each follow-up inspection that doesn't achieve compliance, per MGO § 27.03. If the owner or occupant refuses or neglects to secure or fence off the building, the City may enter and abate the nuisance itself and recover its costs as a special charge added to the property's tax bill under Wis. Stat. § 66.0627, rather than through a separate civil collection action.

This is one of the stricter rules in Madison's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Madison's property maintenance rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Madison is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Madison's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.