Madison home occupations are limited to low customer visit volumes. MGO 28.151 generally restricts client visits to no more than one at a time by appointment only, with no retail walk-in activity.
MGO 28.151 seeks to ensure home occupations do not generate more traffic, parking, or activity than a typical residential use. Client visits must be by appointment only, generally limited to one at a time, and typically not to exceed roughly 10 to 15 client trips per week depending on conditional use conditions. No walk-in retail traffic is permitted. On-street parking must not be disrupted for neighbors; if a business regularly occupies more than one on-street space, operations may be curtailed. Deliveries must use standard parcel services - no regular commercial trucking (over one-ton delivery vehicles) may serve the home. Instructional businesses (music lessons, tutoring, personal training) are typically limited to one student at a time. Higher-volume activities such as group classes, yoga studios, or salons with multiple chairs may require conditional use approval.
Neighbors' complaints trigger investigation; MGO 28.151 forfeitures 150 to 500 dollars plus operating restrictions or revocation.
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See how Madison's customer traffic restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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