Madison, WI Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- MGO Ch. 41, Historic Preservation
- Designation authority
- Common Council, on Landmarks Commission recommendation
- Designation section
- MGO § 41.07
- Pre-work approval
- Certificate of Approval required (§ 41.09)
- Maintenance penalty (1st)
- $250-$500 forfeiture per violation
- Maintenance penalty (3rd, 36 mo.)
- $1,000-$2,000, tripled if demolition by neglect
Summary
Madison's Common Council may designate a building, structure, site, or improvement as a protected landmark when it carries significant cultural, historical, archaeological, or architectural value, triggering Landmarks Commission review and a Certificate of Approval requirement before any alteration or demolition under MGO Ch. 41.
41.07 - DESIGNATING LANDMARKS. (1)Designation. The Common Council, after considering the recommendation of the Landmarks Commission under sub. (5) below, may designate a landmark according to this section.(2)Standards. A site, improvement, or site with improvements may be designated as a landmark if the proposed landmark meets any of the following:(a)It is associated with broad patterns of cultural, political, economic or social history of the nation, state or community.(b)It is associated with the lives of important persons or with important event(s) in national, state or local history.(c)It has important archaeological or anthropological significance.(d)It embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type inherently valuable as representative of a period, style, or method of construction, or of local materials or craftsmanship.
Full Breakdown
07(2)). 07(3)). 07(4)-(6)). 07(8)). 09, no person may add a new structure to a landmark or landmark site, materially alter a landmark or its exterior, demolish or relocate it, install an exterior sign, or subdivide a landmark-site lot without a Certificate of Approval, with a narrow exception for routine cemetery operations at Forest Hill Cemetery. 14 to protect landmarks against exterior decay and structural defects, enforced by the Building Inspector. 08).
Violations & Fines
Undertaking alteration, construction, demolition, or removal without a required Certificate of Approval violates MGO § 41.16-§ 41.21; the Landmarks Commission may order removal or modification of unauthorized work, or order renovation to bring it into compliance (§ 41.21(3)). Separately, failing to meet the maintenance obligation of § 41.14 carries a minimum $250/maximum $500 forfeiture per violation, rising to $500-$1,000 for a second violation within 36 months and $1,000-$2,000 for a third, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense, and all fines tripled on a finding of demolition by neglect (§ 41.14(4)).
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies a site as a landmark in Madison?
Who can nominate a property as a Madison landmark?
Can I demolish or alter a designated Madison landmark?
What happens if a landmark owner fails to maintain the property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison
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Historic-Cultural Monuments in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dane County handle historic-cultural monuments.