Madison is not mapped in a formal wildland-urban interface zone. Wildfire risk is low due to the urban setting, but natural areas along the Ice Age Trail, Cherokee Marsh, and the UW Arboretum carry seasonal grass and marsh fire risk managed by WI DNR and city parks.
Wisconsin does not maintain CAL FIRE style hazard severity zones. Dane County wildfire risk is generally low, but spring (March to May) and late fall bring elevated grass and marsh fire risk, particularly in the Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, UW Arboretum prairies, and Yahara River wetlands. The WI DNR conducts prescribed burns in these areas to reduce fuel loads and restore native ecosystems. Homeowners adjacent to conservancy land should maintain clear defensible space, keep gutters free of debris, and avoid open burning during DNR-declared high fire danger days. Madison Fire Department Station 5 and Station 9 serve areas with highest natural-area exposure. No special building code fire hardening requirements apply in Madison outside of standard WI Uniform Dwelling Code.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Madison, WI
Madison has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. MGO Chapter 27 (Property Maintenance) requires general yard upkeep but does...
Madison, WI
Madison has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. MGO Chapter 24 (Noise) sets residential noise standards that could theoreti...
Madison, WI
Madison has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Timing, brightness, and animation are governed by HOA and condo covenants under Wis...
Madison, WI
Madison requires building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas lines, electrical wiring, plumbing, or structural roofs. Permits route through Madison Buildi...
Madison, WI
Madison has no specific smoker ordinance. MGO Chapter 24 (Noise) and Chapter 7 (Public Health) provide nuisance authority for excessive smoke. Wisconsin DNR ...
Madison, WI
Madison Fire Code under MGO Chapter 34 adopts the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (SPS 361-366) and Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 314 (Fire Prevention...
See how Madison's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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