ADU Permits: Madison vs Middleton
How do adu permits rules compare between Madison, WI and Middleton, WI?
Madison, WI
Dane County
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. Permits are filed with the City of Madison Building Inspection Division through the Accela permit portal. Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (SPS 320-325) applies.
View full Madison rules →Middleton, WI
Dane County
No data available yet for Middleton.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Madison | Middleton |
|---|---|---|
| Code Authority | MGO 28.151 | - |
| By-Right Districts | All TR and SR zones | - |
| Max Size | 800 sq ft or 75% of primary | - |
| Max Height | 25 feet detached | - |
| Filing Portal | Accela Citizen Access | - |
| State Code | Wisconsin SPS 320-325 | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Madison FAQ
Are ADUs allowed in Madison single-family neighborhoods?
Yes. Madison's 2013 zoning code rewrite permits ADUs by-right in all Traditional Residential (TR) and Suburban Residential (SR) districts under MGO 28.151. This includes most single-family neighborhoods such as Atwood, Schenk-Atwood, Tenney-Lapham, Sherman, and the near-east and near-west sides.
How big can my Madison ADU be?
MGO 28.151 limits ADUs to 800 square feet or 75 percent of the principal dwelling floor area, whichever is less. Detached ADUs are capped at 25 feet height. One off-street parking space is required. Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code SPS 320-325 sets minimum residential construction standards.
Middleton FAQ
No FAQs available.
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