Madison Zoning Code (MGO 28) caps single-family residential at 35 ft or 2.5 stories. Dane County Ord. Ch. 10 allows 35 ft in SFR-08. Downtown Madison heights vary 6 to 20 stories by district. State Capitol view preservation caps heights within 1 mile of Capitol at 187.5 ft per Wis. Stat. §13.48(2)(f).
Madison General Ordinances Ch. 28 establishes height limits by district: TR-C1 and TR-C2 residential caps at 35 ft or 2.5 stories; Downtown Core (DC) districts allow up to 20 stories subject to Capitol view protection. Wisconsin Statute §13.48(2)(f) prohibits structures within a 1-mile radius of the Capitol from exceeding 187.5 feet above the Capitol grade, with more restrictive tiered caps within the Capitol View Preservation area (MGO 28.071 adopts these). Dane County Zoning Ord. Ch. 10 caps residential at 35 ft and agricultural accessory structures at 45 ft. Sun Prairie Title 17 caps R-1 at 35 ft. Fitchburg Ch. 22 caps SFR at 35 ft. Middleton Title 10 caps SR-1 at 32 ft. Verona Ch. 13.22 caps residential at 35 ft. Stoughton caps SR at 35 ft. Height is measured to midpoint of pitched roof from average grade. Chimneys, antennas, solar arrays, and HVAC may exceed limit under MGO 28.141 exemptions (max 10 ft above roof).
Exceeding height limit: stop-work order, forfeitures $200 to $1,000 per day until corrected (Madison MGO 28.211). Structure may need reduction or variance. Capitol view violation: additional state penalties under Wis. Stat. §13.48.
Dane County, WI
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Dane County, WI
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Dane County, WI
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See how Dane County's structure height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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