Property Maintenance in Madison, WI (2026)
2 verified property maintenance rules for Madison, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Madison Vacant and Damaged Building Nuisance Rules
Significant RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 27.05(2)-(3)
(2)Vacant Buildings.(a)Requirement to Secure Vacant Buildings. Any building which is vacant and unsecured for any reason constitutes a public nuisance. No person may maintain or permit a public nuisance within the City. The owner or operator shall abate the nuisance by securing the building, including any shed or outbuilding, against entry by persons or animals... (3)Damaged Buildings. When any...
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.
Madison Sidewalk Snow/Ice Removal Deadline
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 10.28
The owner of each lot or part of lot shall remove all snow and ice upon the sidewalk abutting the premises which they own not later than 12:00 noon of the day after the snow or ice has accumulated on the sidewalk, regardless of the source of accumulation. ... Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than twenty dollars ($20) nor mor...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Madison city rules.
Property Maintenance in Dane County →