Pop. 269,840 · Dane County
Madison MGO 23.32 prohibits keeping wild, exotic, or dangerous animals as pets including big cats, wolves, venomous reptiles, nonhuman primates, and bears. State rules under WI Stat 169 also apply.
Madison MGO 9.52 allows up to 4 hens per residential property with a chicken license. Roosters are prohibited. Coops must meet setback and sanitation standards, and neighbor notification is required.
Madison prohibits feeding deer, waterfowl, and most wildlife under MGO 23.32 and related park rules. Bird feeding in moderation is generally allowed. WI DNR baiting/feeding rules (WI Stat 29.336) also apply to deer.
Madison allows residential hot tubs and spas without a fence if they have an ASTM F1346 locking safety cover. Electrical permits are required for 240V installations. Setback rules follow accessory structure standards.
Madison requires a minimum 48-inch barrier around all residential pools over 24 inches deep, with self-closing self-latching gates, per WI UDC and MGO Chapter 29. Barriers must be in place before the pool is filled.
Madison requires a building permit for any residential pool deeper than 24 inches under MGO Chapter 29 and the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code. Electrical and plumbing permits are separate. Apply through the Madison Building Inspection Division.
Madison residential pools must comply with anti-entrapment drain covers (federal VGB Act), GFCI-protected circuits, proper bonding, and barrier requirements. Public and semi-public pools follow WI DHS Chapter 172 standards.
Madison treats above-ground pools over 24 inches deep the same as in-ground pools for permitting and barrier requirements under MGO Chapter 29 and WI UDC. A removable/lockable ladder with a 48-inch pool wall can serve as the barrier.
Madison permits artificial turf on residential lots but treats it as an impervious surface for stormwater and lot coverage calculations under MGO 28 zoning code. Permits may be required in shoreland zones.
Madison actively encourages rainwater harvesting and offers Rain Barrel rebates through the Water Utility and Engineering Stormwater programs. Residential collection is not regulated at the state level in Wisconsin.
Madison strongly promotes native plantings through the Natural Lawn program and MGO 28.142 natural landscape exemption. Owners who file a management plan are exempt from the 8 inch grass height rule.
Madison enforces MGO 27.05 against noxious weeds and rank vegetation exceeding 8 inches. The City Weed Commissioner inspects complaints and can order abatement with costs billed to the property tax roll.
Removal of any public or terrace tree in Madison requires a permit from the City Forester under MGO 10.10. Private tree removal generally does not require a permit but is regulated in landmark tree and shoreland zones.
Madison limits grass and weeds to 8 inches under MGO 27.05. Owners of natural landscape areas with filed management plans are exempt. Building Inspection issues orders with 5 day compliance windows and abates at owner expense.
Madison Urban Forestry Division regulates all work on public trees under MGO 10.10. No trimming or removal of terrace or park trees is allowed without a permit. Private trees overhanging public ways must be clear to 8 feet sidewalk and 14 feet street.
Madison Water Utility enforces year-round odd-even sprinkling rules under MGO 13.18. Watering is prohibited between noon and 6 PM. Drought advisories can trigger stricter limits or bans.
Backyard recreational fires are allowed in Madison under MGO Chapter 10 with strict limits: clean wood only, 3 foot maximum fuel pile, 25 foot setback from structures, and constant adult supervision. No permit required for compliant fires.
Madison is not mapped in a formal wildland-urban interface zone. Wildfire risk is low due to the urban setting, but natural areas along the Ice Age Trail, Cherokee Marsh, and the UW Arboretum carry seasonal grass and marsh fire risk managed by WI DNR and city parks.
Madison requires property owners to clear brush, tall grass, and dead vegetation that create fire or nuisance hazards under MGO 27.05. The Urban Forestry Division and Building Inspection coordinate enforcement in wooded lots and near lakeshores.
Madison enforces WI Stat 101.145 requiring smoke alarms on every floor and in every sleeping room of residential dwellings. Rental properties must have interconnected alarms verified at each tenant turnover under MGO 27.05.
Madison Fire Department enforces NFPA 58 propane storage standards adopted via Wis. UBC under Wis. Stat. §101.65. Residential tanks above 125 gallons need permits; setbacks from buildings and ignition sources are required.
Madison bans nearly all consumer fireworks under MGO 23.05, following WI Stat 167.10 which allows cities to further restrict. Only sparklers, snakes, smoke bombs, and stationary cone fountains are permitted without a permit.
Madison prohibits general open burning under MGO Chapter 10. Only small recreational fires and approved cooking fires are allowed. WI DNR open burning permits do not apply inside city limits because Madison sets its own stricter rules.
Madison allows recreational fire pits under MGO Chapter 10, limited to clean seasoned firewood in approved containers no larger than 3 feet in diameter. Fires must be attended, at least 25 feet from structures, and extinguished at night.
Madison STR occupancy is limited by bedroom count and building code egress standards, typically 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional, per MGO Chapter 32 licensing standards.
Madison caps non-owner-occupied short-term rentals at 30 nights per calendar year under WI Stat. 66.1014 and MGO Chapter 32. Owner-occupied primary residences have no night cap but the 30-day minimum stay rule applies when the owner is absent for longer periods.
Madison does not require a specific insurance minimum for STRs, but Tourist Rooming House licensing expects adequate commercial liability coverage. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity.
Madison STR hosts must complete an annual registration with Public Health Madison Dane County, pass a life-safety inspection, post the license number in listings, and renew each year under MGO Chapter 32.
Madison Sec. 28.131 requires that tourist rooming houses be located within an owner-occupied dwelling unless the operator obtains a separate conditional use permit. Hosts generally must reside on the property as their primary residence to qualify for routine STR registration.
Madison treats short-term rentals as accessory uses to a primary residence. Operators must demonstrate that the dwelling is their principal place of habitation, typically through tax records, voter registration, or a Wisconsin driver license bearing the property address.
Stays of more than 30 consecutive days at a Madison dwelling generally fall outside the tourist rooming house definition and instead trigger landlord-tenant law. Hosts switch from short-term licensing duties to standard residential rental obligations and Wis. Stat. Ch. 704.
Madison's chronic nuisance ordinance (MGO Sec. 25.09) lets the City designate a property a chronic nuisance after three documented incidents within 12 months. STR operators face license non-renewal, abatement orders, and cost recovery for excessive police service.
Wisconsin Act 55 (2019) requires lodging marketplaces like Airbnb and Vrbo to collect state and local room taxes for Wisconsin listings. Madison enforces room tax under MGO Sec. 4.21 and expects valid license numbers in every listing.
Madison requires all short-term rentals to obtain a Tourist Rooming House license under MGO Chapter 32 and state DATCP. Non-owner-occupied STRs are capped at 30 nights per year unless the property qualifies as owner-occupied primary residence.
Madison STR operators must enforce city noise ordinance MGO 24.04 with quiet hours 10 PM to 7 AM. Hosts are responsible for guest conduct, and repeated noise complaints can jeopardize the Tourist Rooming House license.
Madison STR hosts must collect Wisconsin 5% state sales tax, 0.5% Dane County tax, and Madison 10% room tax on all stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo collect state tax, but hosts often must remit city room tax directly.
Madison STRs must provide off-street parking per MGO Chapter 28 zoning standards, typically one space per bedroom. Street parking restrictions, including alternate-side winter rules, apply to guests.
Aircraft noise in Madison, primarily from Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) and Truax Field Air National Guard Base (F-35s), is regulated federally by the FAA, not by city ordinance. Local land-use planning and a noise compatibility program manage impacts.
Madison MGO 12.76 prohibits unnecessary vehicle noise including loud exhaust, revving, squealing tires, and audible car stereos beyond 50 feet. State vehicle equipment law WI Stat 347.39 also requires functional mufflers.
Commercial and industrial noise in Madison is regulated by MGO Chapter 24 and WI DNR NR 204 standards. Establishments must keep noise at property lines within reasonable limits, especially adjacent to residential zones.
Leaf blowers in Madison are permitted during standard daytime hours (7 AM to 7 PM typical) under MGO Chapter 24 noise standards. The city has discussed but not enacted gas-blower bans, and electric alternatives are encouraged under Madison climate goals.
Amplified music in Madison is tightly regulated under MGO Chapter 24, especially in the downtown and UW-Madison campus area. Sound audible beyond 50 feet or across property lines after 10 PM is presumptively a violation.
Madison establishes quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM under MGO Chapter 24 (Noise). Disturbing the peace during these hours is cited as a noise violation, and state law WI Stat 947.01 (disorderly conduct) may also apply for egregious cases.
Construction noise in Madison is generally restricted to 7 AM to 7 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, with tighter limits on Sundays and holidays under MGO Chapter 24. Public works and emergency repairs are exempt.
Madison MGO 23.32 and Chapter 24 prohibit dogs from habitual or prolonged barking that disturbs neighbors. Owners face citations after documented complaints, and chronic offenders may be declared a public nuisance.
Madison allows most typical fence materials (wood, vinyl, chain link, ornamental metal, composite) under MGO Chapter 28. Barbed wire and electric fences are restricted in residential zones. Historic districts have material review.
Madison enforces a vision triangle at corner lots under MGO Chapter 28. Fences, walls, and landscaping in the triangle must be no taller than about 30 inches to preserve driver sight lines.
Madison requires residential pools deeper than 24 inches to be enclosed by a 48-inch or taller barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates, per MGO building code and WI Stat 145.17.
Madison fence heights are set by MGO Chapter 28 (zoning). Typical limits: 4 feet in front yards, 6 feet in side and rear yards. Taller fences require a conditional use permit.
Madison requires a zoning permit for most new fences to verify height, setbacks, and location. Permits are issued by the Zoning Administrator under MGO Chapter 28. Fees are modest and turnaround is typically quick.
Wisconsin's partition fence statute (WI Stat 90.03) requires adjoining rural/agricultural landowners to share cost of boundary fences. In urban Madison, the line fence statute rarely applies; disputes are civil matters.
Retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall require a building permit and engineered plans throughout Dane County under the Wisconsin UDC and DSPS SPS 321. Madison (MGO §29.07), Fitchburg, and Middleton require permits at lower thresholds if surcharged.
Tiny homes on foundations are allowed in Madison if they meet WI Uniform Dwelling Code and zoning minimum dwelling size. Tiny houses on wheels are treated as RVs and not allowed for permanent residence outside RV parks.
Madison treats carports as accessory structures under MGO 28 zoning. Permits are required and setbacks and coverage limits match detached garage rules. Cloth or canopy carports are generally prohibited as permanent structures.
Madison does not charge development impact fees on residential ADUs. Wisconsin Statute 66.0617 authorizes municipal impact fees broadly but requires a fee study demonstrating new capacity need. Madison currently imposes only standard building permit fees through the Building Inspection Division. Madison Water Utility charges connection fees only if a new service line is installed.
Madison is one of the Midwest's most ADU-friendly cities. Madison General Ordinances (MGO) Chapter 28 (Zoning Code) permits accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by-right in most residential districts (TR-C1, TR-C2, TR-C3, TR-C4, TR-V1, TR-V2, TR-U1, TR-U2, SR-C1, SR-C2, SR-V1, SR-V2) following the 2013 zoning code rewrite. Permits are filed with the City of Madison Building Inspection Division through the Accela permit portal. Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (SPS 320-325) applies.
Madison does not require owner-occupancy for ADU properties under MGO Chapter 28. Property owners may build an ADU and rent both units to separate tenants. The Common Council removed the owner-occupancy requirement in 2020 amendments to Section 28.151. Wisconsin has no state preemption on owner-occupancy. Condominium and HOA covenants under Wisconsin Statute Chapter 703 may impose private restrictions.
Madison allows long-term rental of legal ADUs without special licensing. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) require a Tourist Rooming House license under MGO Chapter 9 and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) ATCP 72 license. Wisconsin Act 59 (2017) preempts outright STR bans but allows reasonable regulation. Madison's STR ordinance limits non-owner-occupied STRs.
Madison legalized accessory dwelling units citywide in 2013 under MGO 28.151. ADUs are allowed in all residential districts subject to size, owner-occupancy, and parking standards. One of the first Midwestern cities to embrace ADUs.
Madison requires a zoning permit for sheds over 150 square feet and a building permit for structures over 200 square feet. Setbacks are typically 3 feet from side and rear lot lines per MGO 28.
Garage conversions to habitable space require a building permit in Madison and must meet WI Uniform Dwelling Code for egress, insulation, and ventilation. Converting to an ADU follows MGO 28.151 with parking replacement if required.
Madison family daycare homes (up to 8 children) are allowed as a home occupation in residential zones with state licensing through WI DCF. Group daycare homes (9-12 children) require conditional use approval under MGO Chapter 28.
Madison regulates home occupations under MGO Chapter 28. Most home businesses are allowed by right with no external evidence of the business, no non-resident employees, and limited customer visits. No separate home occupation permit is required for compliant operations.
Wisconsin Act 62 (2017) and WI Stat 97.29 allow home-based sale of non-hazardous baked goods and canned high-acid foods without DATCP licensing up to annual gross sales thresholds. Madison follows state law.
Madison permits home occupations in all residential districts under MGO 28.151 with limits on employees, customer traffic, and space used. No more than 25 percent of the dwelling floor area may be devoted to the business.
Madison prohibits exterior signage for home occupations in residential zones under MGO 31 and 28.151. One small nameplate is generally allowed. Illuminated or commercial-style signs are not permitted.
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.
Madison requires permits for new driveway approaches and limits curb-cut widths. MGO 10.08 governs driveway construction in right-of-way. Parking on unpaved surfaces in front yards is prohibited.
Madison enforces citywide alternate-side parking November 15 through March 15 from 1 AM to 7 AM, the signature winter parking rule. Park on odd-numbered side on odd dates, even side on even dates. $60 ticket + possible tow.
Madison operates public EV chargers through MGE and the Parking Utility in city garages. New construction requires EV-ready wiring under Madison Sustainable Building Policy. No specific curbside EV regulation yet.
Madison defines abandoned vehicles per WI Stat 342.40 and MGO 12.137: vehicles parked over 48 hours on streets or inoperable/unregistered vehicles on private property. Tagged then towed after 7 days; sold at auction if unclaimed.
Madison prohibits RV and boat storage on public streets beyond 48 hours. Private property storage allowed in side/rear yards with setbacks. No front-yard storage in residential zones under MGO 28 zoning code.
Madison enforces 48-hour continuous parking limit, alternate-side parking in winter, and extensive metered/permit districts. MGO Chapter 12 governs parking. Fines $20-$60 typical; booting/towing after 5+ unpaid tickets.
Madison restricts commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs from residential street parking. Overnight on-street storage of trucks, tractors, and trailers prohibited in residential zones under MGO 12.76(7).
Madison Public Health enforces property maintenance code requiring owners to prevent rodent and insect infestations. MGO 27 housing code treats infestations as habitability violations. Bed bug disclosure required for rentals.
Madison pre-1978 housing is subject to Wisconsin lead-safe renovation rules under WI Stat. Chapter 254 and WI DHS 163. Contractors must be lead-safe certified, and landlords must disclose lead hazards under federal Title X and state law.
Madison requires permits for scaffolding over 14 feet or encroaching on public right-of-way. Sidewalk/street occupancy permits issued by Traffic Engineering. OSHA 1926 Subpart L governs worker safety on construction scaffolds.
Madison elevators are regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) under WI Admin Code SPS 318. Annual inspections by state or licensed third-party inspectors and licensed elevator contractors are required.
Madison enforces Wis. Commercial Building Code door-locking rules through Ch. 27, requiring single-action egress hardware in assembly and educational occupancies. Panic hardware is mandatory for high-occupancy spaces; barricade devices are barred.
Madison's Sustainability Plan and Climate Action Plan encourage LEED, ENERGY STAR, and Wisconsin Green Built Home for new construction. State Wis. SPS 363 sets uniform energy code; Madison cannot exceed it but offers expedited review and incentives.
Madison childcare centers must meet Wis. DCF licensing and Ch. 27 building standards, including means-of-egress, fire alarms, and bathroom ratios. Public Health Madison & Dane County inspects food service; MFD reviews fire-safety annually.
Madison adopts Wisconsin Uniform Building Code requirements for sprinklers: NFPA 13 in commercial buildings, NFPA 13R in multi-family three units or more, and NFPA 13D for one- and two-family homes meeting size or access thresholds.
Madison HOA CCRs are enforced under Wisconsin contract and real property law. WI Stat. Chapter 703 governs condominiums. Enforcement requires consistency, reasonable notice, and adherence to declaration procedures.
Madison HOAs and condominium associations operate under WI Stat. Chapter 703 (condominiums) and Chapter 181 (non-stock corporations). Boards must hold annual meetings, provide notice, keep minutes, and allow member inspection of records.
Madison HOA and condominium assessments are authorized under WI Stat. Chapter 703 for condos and the governing declaration for non-condo HOAs. Unpaid assessments become liens on the unit and can result in foreclosure.
Madison HOA disputes are resolved through internal association procedures, mediation, or Wisconsin circuit court. Many declarations require mediation before litigation. No municipal HOA ombudsman exists in Madison.
Madison HOAs may enforce architectural review standards through their recorded declaration. Wisconsin law requires reasonable, non-arbitrary application of standards. City permits are still separately required regardless of HOA approval.
Madison permits rooftop and ground-mount solar by right under MGO 28.151. Building and electrical permits required; typical fee $100-$300. Focus on Energy and MGE offer rebates. WI Stat 66.0401 limits municipal solar restrictions.
Wisconsin Statute 236.292 and 66.0401 restrict HOAs and municipalities from prohibiting solar installations. Deed restrictions banning solar are void. HOAs can only impose reasonable aesthetic conditions that do not significantly increase cost.
Garage sale signs are permitted on private property with owner permission. Signs in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, and on traffic signs are prohibited. Remove signs within 24 hours of the sale ending.
Political signs are permitted on private property in Madison under MGO Chapter 31. Signs may be displayed on residential property without a permit, subject to size limits and right-of-way restrictions. First Amendment protections apply.
Holiday decorations and lights on private property are not regulated as signs in Madison. Displays should avoid creating traffic hazards or light trespass onto neighbors and must comply with electrical code for wiring.
Home cannabis cultivation remains illegal in Wisconsin under WI Stat. 961. Madison decriminalized small-amount possession in 2020 (MGO 23.20) but this does not authorize cultivation. Growing plants remains a state criminal offense.
Wisconsin has not legalized recreational or full medical cannabis, so personal cultivation remains a felony under Wis. Stat. §961.41(1)(h), regardless of Madison's $1 possession decriminalization under Ord. 23.20.
Because Wisconsin has not legalized recreational or full medical cannabis, no licensed delivery system exists, and any commercial cannabis transport in Madison violates Wis. Stat. §961.41 distribution provisions regardless of local decriminalization.
Madison has no cannabis dispensary buffer zones because Wisconsin has not legalized recreational or full medical cannabis; any future buffer rules would require state legalization legislation first.
Wisconsin does not permit recreational or full medical cannabis dispensaries. Only limited CBD oil under WI Stat. 961.32(2m) is available through physicians. No cannabis dispensaries operate in Madison.
Wisconsin Act 317 (2017) preempts Madison's earlier ban on source-of-income housing discrimination, except that landlords may still not refuse Section 8 vouchers when public-housing authorities require nondiscrimination. Madison enforces the remaining protections through Equal Opportunities Ord. Ch. 39.
Wisconsin Act 76 (2018) preempts Madison from imposing tougher local security deposit caps. Landlords must follow the statewide ATCP 134 framework, including a 21-day return clock and itemized deductions tied to actual damages.
Madison cannot mandate private landlord-funded relocation payments because of Wisconsin Act 76 (2018). Displacement assistance is instead handled through CDA emergency programs and federal Uniform Relocation Act funds for projects using federal aid.
After Wisconsin Act 317 (2017), Madison landlords are not required to accept Section 8 housing choice vouchers. The Community Development Authority (CDA) administers vouchers, while the Tenant Resource Center maintains lists of voucher-friendly buildings.
Wisconsin permits no-fault non-renewal of month-to-month and term tenancies with 28 days written notice. Wisconsin Act 76 (2018) bars Madison from requiring just cause, so most non-renewals end the tenancy without stated reason.
During COVID-19, Madison and Dane County operated under federal CDC and Wisconsin Supreme Court rulings rather than a local moratorium. Today no local moratorium exists, and Wisconsin Act 76 prevents Madison from imposing one independently.
Madison enforces tenant protections through the Department of Civil Rights and ATCP 134. Landlords may not retaliate against tenants who report code violations, contact the Tenant Resource Center, or organize for habitability improvements.
Madison requires rental property registration and periodic inspections under MGO Chapter 27 Building Inspection. Owners must register rental units and allow code inspections to verify habitability and safety standards.
Wisconsin Statute 66.1015 preempts all local rent control. Madison cannot enact rent stabilization, rent caps, or just-cause eviction protections. Landlord-tenant law governed by WI Stat 704 and ATCP 134.
Madison follows Wisconsin Statute 704 landlord-tenant law. Wisconsin does not require just-cause eviction; landlords may terminate month-to-month tenancies with 28 days written notice. Madison adds tenant protections via MGO Chapter 32 Landlord-Tenant.
Madison administers sanctioned and unsanctioned encampments through joint city-county outreach. Public Health Madison and Dane County, plus Streets Division, provide trash, sharps disposal, and hand-washing while Porchlight conducts case management.
Madison funds bridge housing through Dairy Drive tiny homes, scattered-site rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing partnerships. The Dane County Continuum of Care, led by the Homeless Services Consortium, allocates HUD funding under the McKinney-Vento Act.
Madison does not enforce a blanket sit-lie ban, but MGO Sec. 10.056 prohibits obstructing sidewalks and public rights-of-way. Officers issue warnings before citations, consistent with Common Council direction to limit criminalization of homelessness.
Wisconsin Act 76 (2018) preempts most local landlord-tenant rules, but Madison still treats bed bug infestations as Ch. 27 housing-code violations requiring owner-paid extermination in rental units.
Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC), the joint city-county agency, inspects Madison restaurants under Wis. Stat. ch. 97 and Wis. Admin. Code DHS 196, posting inspection reports online without letter grades.
Madison General Ordinances Ch. 27 (Building Code) and Ch. 7 require property owners to keep premises free of rodent harborage, and PHMDC may issue abatement orders for active infestations under Wis. Stat. ch. 254.
Wisconsin allows pharmacy syringe sales without prescription under Wis. Stat. §450.11(1g), and PHMDC partners with AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin to operate syringe-services programs serving Madison and Dane County.
Under Wis. Admin. Code DHS 196 and PHMDC permitting, every Madison restaurant must designate at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) holding an ANSI-CFP accredited certification such as ServSafe.
Madison enforces Tobacco 21 under Wis. Stat. §134.66 as amended to match the federal minimum age, prohibiting the sale of cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine products to anyone under 21 inside city limits.
Madison can restrict flavored tobacco and vape sales through its Ch. 41 retail-licensing authority, but a full flavor ban faces preemption questions under Wis. Stat. §134.66 and ongoing legal debate.
Madison requires every vape and e-cigarette retailer to hold a Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer license under Madison Ch. 41 and Wis. Stat. §139.34, with annual renewal and PHMDC compliance inspections.
Madison limits the hours and days when gas-powered leaf blowers may operate and supports a transition to electric equipment for city crews, citing noise, fine-particulate emissions, and Climate Action Plan goals as the basis.
Madison adopted a Climate Action Plan committing to 100% renewable energy and net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions, and the Common Council declared a climate emergency directing accelerated action across city operations and community programs.
Madison's sustainable-procurement policy requires city departments and contractors to prefer products and services meeting recycled-content, energy-efficiency, and low-toxicity standards consistent with the Climate Action Plan and the Sustainable Madison Committee's guidance.
Madison restricts unnecessary motor-vehicle idling, particularly for diesel trucks and buses near schools, hospitals, and residential buildings, to reduce particulate exposure and align with the Climate Action Plan's air-quality goals.
Madison encourages cool-roof and reflective-surface installations on commercial and large multifamily buildings to reduce urban heat-island effects, lower cooling demand, and support Climate Action Plan goals tied to electrification of buildings.
Madison MGO 37 requires erosion control plans for any disturbance of 4,000+ sq ft. Silt fence, inlet protection, and stabilized construction entrances mandatory. Aligns with WI NR 151 statewide standards.
Madison MGO 37 requires grading permits for movement of 50+ cubic yards or slope changes exceeding 3:1. Drainage must not adversely affect neighbors. Positive drainage from structures required per building code.
While Madison is not on an ocean coast, development along its extensive lakeshores is heavily regulated. Wisconsin shoreland zoning laws apply within 1,000 feet of lakes and 300 feet of rivers. Madison's zoning code Chapter 28 includes waterfront overlay districts for Lakes Mendota, Monona, Wingra, and Waubesa. Vegetative buffers are required near shorelines, and impervious surface limits are stricter for lakefront properties to protect water quality.
Madison enforces MGO Chapter 37 stormwater ordinance. New development disturbing 10,000+ sq ft requires permits, BMPs, and 80% TSS removal. Protects Yahara Lakes watershed. WPDES MS4 permit applies citywide.
Madison sits on the Yahara River chain (Lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa). FEMA flood insurance required in SFHA Zones A/AE. MGO 28.149 floodplain zoning mirrors WI NR 116 state floodplain rules.
Madison cannot impose a straws-on-request mandate because Wis. Stat. §66.0419 preempts local container and accessory regulation; Madison restaurants may voluntarily adopt the practice but face no city requirement.
Wisconsin Act 21 (2018), codified at Wis. Stat. §66.0419(2)(a), expanded auxiliary-container preemption to expressly cover polystyrene foam, blocking Madison from banning foam takeout containers, cups, or coolers.
Wisconsin Act 302 (2016), codified at Wis. Stat. §66.0419, preempts any Madison ordinance regulating, banning, or charging fees on single-use plastic carryout bags, blocking the kind of policies seen in Milwaukee proposals or Minneapolis.
Madison cannot mandate that restaurants provide single-use utensils only upon request, because Wis. Stat. §66.0419 preempts local rules on auxiliary food-service items, leaving the practice voluntary.
Madison regulates shared electric scooters and dockless bikes through a city permit program operated by Madison Transportation, requiring rider speed limits, parking corrals near BRT stops, and compliance with Wisconsin's e-scooter statute.
Madison maintains an extensive network of bike lanes, paths, and protected facilities under the Madison in Motion plan, with rules governing motorist passing distance, parking in bike lanes, and shared-use of multi-use paths around the isthmus and university.
Madison secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers must license under MGO Ch. 9.49 and report transactions to police via Wisconsin's Leads Online system to deter trafficking in stolen goods.
Madison licenses massage establishments and therapists under MGO Ch. 9.06, requiring background checks, state-licensed therapists, and inspections to deter illicit operations while allowing legitimate practices.
Madison requires a city retail tobacco license under MGO Ch. 9.51 for any business selling cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or vaping products. Tobacco 21 applies citywide per Wis. Stat. 134.66.
Madison pawnbrokers are licensed under MGO Ch. 9.49 and Wis. Stat. Ch. 138, with capped interest rates, mandatory holding periods, and daily transaction reporting to Madison Police.
Madison regulates adult-oriented businesses under MGO Ch. 23.07 with location, licensing, and operations standards. State law allows local zoning but bars complete bans of constitutionally protected expression.
Madison tattoo and body-piercing studios must license through Public Health Madison & Dane County under Wis. Stat. Ch. 252.245 and pass routine inspections covering sterilization, blood-borne pathogen training, and consent records.
Madison Zoning Code Ch. 28 offers density bonuses, height bonuses, and parking reductions to projects committing affordable units, supporting the Imagine Madison plan and complying with state inclusionary-zoning limits set by Wisconsin Act 26.
Madison's Bus Rapid Transit lines, launched in 2024, anchor station-area planning that allows higher density, reduced parking, and mixed-use development within walkable distances of stops along East Washington, University, and other corridors.
Madison's Zoning Code, Chapter 28 of the General Ordinances, establishes base districts and overlays, while adopted neighborhood and corridor plans guide rezonings, conditional uses, and development along the Lake Mendota and Lake Monona isthmus.
Madison Water Utility, a public utility under city control, may impose odd-even or time-of-day lawn-watering restrictions during peak demand or drought to protect aquifer levels and maintain firefighting reserves across the isthmus service area.
Madison's potable water supply comes from deep sandstone aquifer wells, and recycled-water reuse is limited; the city follows Wisconsin DNR cross-connection rules and Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District policies for any reclaimed-water applications.
Madison Water Utility and the Sustainability office offer rebates and technical assistance for replacing irrigated turf with native plantings, rain gardens, and low-water landscapes to protect Lake Mendota and Lake Monona water quality.
Property owners served by Madison Water Utility must promptly repair leaks on their side of the curb stop and report main-line leaks to the utility, which provides emergency response and may issue bill adjustments for documented hidden leaks.
Madison Tree Code Chapter 27 places street trees in the terrace between sidewalk and curb under City Forester jurisdiction, requiring permits for any planting, pruning, or removal and specifying approved species suited to Madison's climate and soils.
Madison regulates tree removal on public property through the Forestry Section and on private property through the zoning code. Removal of street trees or trees in the terrace (boulevard) requires a city permit. On private property, tree removal may be regulated through development review, particularly for trees larger than 12 inches DBH. Madison maintains a significant urban canopy and the city's Urban Forestry Plan guides tree management and replacement priorities.
Madison recognizes significant trees through its urban forestry program, though it does not have a formal heritage or landmark tree registry with legal protections. The city's Urban Forestry Plan identifies priority species and notable specimens. Large, mature street trees receive extra consideration during development review and utility work. The city's Forestry Section can designate trees for preservation during construction projects near public right-of-way.
When street trees are removed in Madison, the Forestry Section replaces them as part of its ongoing planting program. The city plants approximately 3,000 trees per year. For private development, the zoning code may require replacement trees when significant trees are removed during construction. Replacement ratios and species requirements are determined during development review. Madison's Emerald Ash Borer program has driven significant replanting with diverse species.
Madison MGO 23.20 decriminalizes possession of up to 28 grams of cannabis on private property to a $1 civil forfeiture. Public consumption remains a citation, and state law still classifies cannabis as illegal.
Wisconsin's statewide Smoke-Free Air Act (Wis. Stat. 101.123) bans smoking inside bars, restaurants, and workplaces. Madison adds restrictions in city parks, near playgrounds, and at bus stops.
Madison MGO 38.07 prohibits possession of open alcohol containers on streets, sidewalks, and most public property. Exceptions exist for licensed sidewalk cafes, special-event permit areas, and designated parks.
Madison MGO 25.09 lets police issue loud-party citations and bill repeat-offender properties for response costs. The ordinance is heavily applied in UW-Madison student rental neighborhoods around campus.
Madison MGO 24.12 prohibits aggressive solicitation: physical contact, blocking pedestrians, threatening language, or repeated requests after refusal. Passive panhandling and sign-holding remain protected First Amendment activity.
Wisconsin's minimum wage matches the federal $7.25 per hour. Wis. Stat. 104.001 (2017 Act 21) preempts Madison and other cities from setting any higher local minimum wage.
Wisconsin Act 67 (2017) blocks cities from requiring private employers to provide paid sick leave, paid family leave, or other paid time-off benefits. Madison's earlier paid-sick-leave ordinance is unenforceable.
Wisconsin preempts local predictive scheduling and fair workweek ordinances under Wis. Stat. 103.007, ensuring statewide uniformity for employer scheduling practices and forbidding municipal advance-notice mandates.
Madison has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. MGO Chapter 24 (Noise) sets residential noise standards that could theoretically apply to overnight blower motors. HOA and condo covenants commonly restrict size and placement under Wisconsin Statute Chapter 703. Madison winters are harsh on inflatables - high winds and ice often damage them.
Madison has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Timing, brightness, and animation are governed by HOA and condo covenants under Wisconsin Statute Chapter 703 and by Madison Landmarks Commission guidelines for designated historic districts. Wisconsin has no state-level holiday display preemption. Madison's cold winters and early sunset create extended holiday lighting seasons.
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 requires building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas lines, electrical wiring, plumbing, or structural roofs. Permits route through Madison Building Inspection via the Accela Citizen Access portal. Wisconsin DSPS oversight applies for licensed trades. Cold-climate construction requires frost-protected footings to 48-inch frost depth. Madison Landmarks Commission review applies in designated historic districts.
Madison Fire Code under MGO Chapter 34 adopts the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (SPS 361-366) and Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 314 (Fire Prevention) which incorporate the International Fire Code (IFC). IFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas tanks over 1 pound on combustible balconies of buildings with three or more dwelling units. Charcoal grills must be 10 feet from combustible buildings.
Madison has no specific smoker ordinance. MGO Chapter 24 (Noise) and Chapter 7 (Public Health) provide nuisance authority for excessive smoke. Wisconsin DNR NR 429 governs open burning but cooking is specifically exempt. Madison's MGO 27.05 open-burning provisions also exempt cooking devices. Dense bungalow neighborhoods generate occasional smoke complaints during summer competition BBQ season.
Madison requires property owners to clear sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours after snowfall ends under MGO 10.28. Failure to clear results in City contractor abatement with charges billed to the property.
Madison requires trash and recycling carts be stored out of public view between collection days, typically in a side yard, rear yard, garage, or enclosure. Carts may not be stored in front yards.
Madison enforces property blight standards under MGO Chapter 27. Prohibited conditions include accumulated junk, abandoned vehicles, broken windows, peeling paint, structural decay, and overgrown vegetation. Building Inspection issues correction orders with deadlines.
Vacant lots in Madison must be maintained free of weeds over 8 inches, trash, debris, and nuisances under MGO Chapter 27. Owners are responsible for boulevard and sidewalk maintenance abutting the lot.
Madison permits residential garage and rummage sales without a permit. Sales are limited in frequency and duration. Signs must follow MGO Chapter 31 sign rules and be removed promptly after the sale ends.
Madison height limits vary by district: 35 ft in most residential (TR-C), up to 12 stories in DC (Downtown Core) with view-corridor protections for the Wisconsin State Capitol under WI Stat 13.48(2).
Madison zoning code MGO 28 sets setbacks by district. Typical single-family (TR-C) requires 20 ft front, 6 ft side, 20 ft rear. Urban districts (DC, UMX) have reduced or zero setbacks with build-to lines.
Madison limits lot coverage by zoning district. TR-C (single-family) typically allows 50% max building coverage plus 75% total impervious surface. Urban districts permit higher coverage with stormwater mitigation.
Commercial drone operations in Madison require FAA Part 107 certification and LAANC authorization for Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) Class C airspace. Additional permits required for takeoff from City parks or public property.
Recreational drone use in Madison is governed primarily by FAA rules. Madison sits in Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) Class C airspace requiring LAANC authorization. FAA registration required for drones over 0.55 lbs.
Madison enforces a juvenile curfew under MGO 25.07. Minors under 17 are prohibited from being in public places between 11 PM and 5 AM Sunday through Thursday, and midnight to 5 AM Friday and Saturday, with exceptions for work and parental accompaniment.
Madison public parks are generally closed from 10 PM to 4 AM under MGO 8.16 Parks Rules. Entering or remaining in a park after hours without a permit is prohibited. Lake access and bike paths have separate rules.
Madison does not require a permit for occasional residential garage sales. Sales are limited in frequency and duration. Signs must comply with MGO Chapter 31. Ongoing sales may trigger home business zoning review.
Madison does not set specific operating hours for residential garage sales. Sales are expected to be held during reasonable daytime hours consistent with residential neighborhood norms. Starting before 8:00 AM or continuing after dark could generate noise complaints. The city's noise ordinance would apply if a garage sale creates unreasonable disturbance during early morning or late evening hours.
Madison does not impose a specific limit on the number of garage sales a resident may hold per year. However, holding sales too frequently could be considered a commercial activity, which would require a business license. The city's general approach is that occasional residential sales are a normal activity, but regular or ongoing sales may cross the threshold into requiring business licensing.
Madison Streets Division provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection to single-family and small multi-family properties. Set out carts by 7 AM on collection day. Large apartment buildings use private haulers.
Carts must be placed at the curb or alley with wheels toward the house and 3 feet of clearance from obstructions, vehicles, and other carts. Set out no earlier than 4 PM the day before and remove within 24 hours.
Madison offers large item pickup by appointment for furniture, mattresses, and appliances. Some items require stickers or drop-off at Streets Division sites. Electronics and hazardous waste go to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Madison mandates recycling under Wisconsin Statute 287 and MGO Chapter 10. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, glass, metal cans, and rigid plastics numbered 1, 2, and 5. No plastic bags in carts.
Madison MGO 10.085 outdoor lighting ordinance requires full cutoff fixtures for new commercial installations and limits light trespass. Enacted to reduce glare, energy use, and skyglow affecting UW-Madison Washburn Observatory.
Madison MGO 10.085(7) prohibits light trespass onto neighboring residential properties exceeding 0.3 footcandles at property line. Complaints investigated by Building Inspection; abatement orders issued.
Madison issues mobile vending licenses through the Clerk's Office under MGO 9.13. Annual fee ~$500-$1,000. Also requires WI DATCP Mobile Restaurant license. Sidewalk and street vending zones regulated.
Madison designates specific vending zones: State Street Mall, Library Mall, Capitol Square, Brittingham Park, and approved private lots. Mobile Vending Oversight Committee allocates sites annually via lottery/scoring.
Door-to-door commercial solicitors in Madison must obtain a Direct Seller license under MGO Chapter 9. Applications require ID, background information, and a fee. Religious and political canvassers are exempt under First Amendment protections.
Madison residents who post a clear No Soliciting sign must not be approached by commercial sellers. Violations of a posted sign are grounds for citation and license revocation under MGO Chapter 9.
Wisconsin issues shall-issue concealed weapon licenses to qualified residents age 21+ who complete training, pass a background check, and pay required fees, with statewide preemption preventing local rules.
Wisconsin Statute 66.0409 broadly preempts local firearm regulation, barring cities, villages, towns, and counties from enacting ordinances stricter than state law on possession, transportation, sale, or registration of firearms and ammunition.
Wisconsin permits adults at least 18 who are not prohibited persons to openly carry firearms in public without a permit, with statewide preemption blocking local restrictions on lawful open carry.
Wisconsin Statute 941.23 makes carrying a concealed handgun in a vehicle without a CCW license a misdemeanor, while open carry and licensed concealed carry inside vehicles are lawful statewide subject to limited prohibited zones.
Wisconsin's Working Lands Initiative under Statute 91 establishes farmland preservation zoning districts, certifies county and local plans, and offers income tax credits to farmers in certified agricultural enterprise areas.
Wisconsin Statute 823.08 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits by neighbors, requiring courts to dismiss claims unless the farm substantially threatens public health or safety.