Madison has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. MGO Chapter 27 (Property Maintenance) requires general yard upkeep but does not address ornament content. Madison Landmarks Commission review under MGO Chapter 41 applies for permanent installations in designated historic districts. HOA and condo covenants commonly regulate ornaments under Wisconsin Statute Chapter 703.
Madison City Code does not regulate the content or placement of lawn ornaments, statuary, religious displays, or similar decorative items. MGO Chapter 27 (Property Maintenance) requires yard upkeep but does not address ornamental content. MGO Chapter 28 (Zoning) setback and lot coverage rules apply to large permanent installations. Real restrictions come from three sources: (1) Madison Landmarks Commission review under MGO Chapter 41 in designated historic districts (Mansion Hill, Third Lake Ridge, University Heights, Marquette Bungalows, First Settlement, and others) where permanent visible alterations require Certificate of Appropriateness review; (2) HOA and condominium covenants under Wisconsin Statute Chapter 703; (3) deed restrictions in older planned subdivisions on Madison's far west and east sides. Typical HOA rules: prior architectural review committee approval; size limits 3 to 4 feet; rear-yard placement; restrictions on political-themed ornaments. Religious displays may have federal Fair Housing Act protection. Some Madison neighborhoods (Atwood, Williamson-Marquette, Tenney-Lapham) are known for eclectic front-yard art and political signage and have no covenant restrictions.
No municipal enforcement against ornaments under MGO Chapter 27 unless creating a documented maintenance nuisance. Landmarks Commission violations in historic districts may require removal at owner expense plus civil penalties of $100 to $1,000 under MGO Chapter 41. HOA or condo violations result in declaration-specified fines ($50 to $500), escalating to liens under Wisconsin Statute 703.16.
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