Madison Food Cart Review regulates State Street, Library Mall, Capitol Square vending with lottery-assigned spaces (MGO §9.13). Private property vending needs owner consent and zoning compliance. Distance-from-restaurant rules uncommon in Madison but exist in suburbs.
Madison has one of the Midwest's most structured mobile vending programs centered on State Street, Library Mall (UW-Madison), and the Capitol Square. The Madison Food Cart Review process (MGO §9.13) assigns permits via committee review and lottery with site-specific rules on cart size, cuisine diversity, and operating hours. Vendors pay site fees plus license fees. Outside these districts, Madison permits mobile vending on private property with owner permission and zoning compliance (MGO Ch. 28). Madison generally does not impose blanket distance-from-restaurant setbacks, differing from many Midwestern cities. Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Waunakee, DeForest, Monona, Stoughton, Oregon, and McFarland each have their own rules — some impose 100 to 200 feet from brick-and-mortar restaurants. Trucks may not block fire hydrants, crosswalks, bus stops, or accessibility ramps. Time limits per location may apply. Special event vending (Taste of Madison, Dane County Fair, farmers markets) requires event-specific permits through the host.
Vending in unapproved zone: $100 to $500 citation. Blocking accessibility, hydrants, or bus stops: immediate relocation. Repeat violations: permit suspension or revocation.
Fitchburg, WI
Fitchburg regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. WI Stat. §947.01 applies.
Fitchburg, WI
Fitchburg considers excessive barking a nuisance. Animal control handles complaints. WI Stat. §174 covers dog regulation statewide.
Fitchburg, WI
Fitchburg enforces quiet hours typically 10 PM to 7 AM. Noise disturbances enforceable under WI Stat. §947.01 (Disorderly Conduct).
Fitchburg, WI
Fitchburg enforces street parking restrictions locally. Winter alternate-side parking critical. No statewide consecutive parking limit. WI Stat. §346.503 app...
Fitchburg, WI
Fitchburg restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight, size, and signage limits apply. Overnight heavy truck storage prohibited.
Fitchburg, WI
Fitchburg requires vehicles parked on improved surfaces. Front lawn parking prohibited. Driveway modifications require permits.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Dane County.
See how Fitchburg's vending zones rules stack up against other locations.
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