Wisconsin DCF licenses family childcare under Wis. Stat. Ch. 48 and DCF 250/251. Madison (MGO §28.151) treats licensed family daycare up to 8 children as a permitted home occupation. Group daycare (9-15) requires a conditional use permit. Dane County follows the same tiers in unincorporated zoning.
Wisconsin divides home childcare into three tiers under Wis. Admin. Code DCF 250 (Certification), DCF 251 (Family Child Care for 4-8 children), and DCF 251/252 (Group up to 15). The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families issues licenses; Dane County is covered by the Madison DCF Regional Office. Madison General Ordinance §28.151 treats a state-licensed family daycare (up to 8 children) as a permitted home occupation in all residential districts. Group daycare homes (9-15 children) require a conditional use permit from the Plan Commission under MGO §28.183. Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Sun Prairie, and Stoughton mirror this pattern. Dane County Ch. 10 Zoning permits licensed family daycare in residential and agricultural districts by right. Requirements include: state background checks under Wis. Stat. §48.685 for providers and household members, CPR and pediatric first-aid, 35 sq ft indoor and 75 sq ft outdoor per child, fire-department inspection, annual DCF inspection, liability insurance typically $300,000 minimum, and a drop-off plan that does not create traffic nuisance. Madison also requires a Home Occupation Permit with an annual fee (~$95).
Operating without a DCF license Wis. Stat. §48.66: criminal misdemeanor and forfeitures up to $10,000. Exceeding capacity: immediate correction and license suspension. Madison zoning violations MGO §28.151: citation $100 to $500 with daily continuing violations.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Middleton, WI
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Middleton, WI
Middleton considers excessive barking a nuisance. Animal control handles complaints. WI Stat. §174 covers dog regulation statewide.
Middleton, WI
Middleton enforces quiet hours typically 10 PM to 7 AM. Noise disturbances enforceable under WI Stat. §947.01 (Disorderly Conduct).
Middleton, WI
Middleton enforces alternate-side parking November 15 through March 15 and 48-hour maximum street parking year-round. Snow emergencies trigger full parking b...
Middleton, WI
Middleton restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight, size, and signage limits apply. Overnight heavy truck storage prohibited.
Middleton, WI
Middleton 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 Middleton's home daycare rules stack up against other locations.
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