Middleton may allow residential beekeeping with hive limits and setbacks. Registration with WI DATCP required. WI Stat. §94.76.
Middleton requires dogs on leash in public. Off-leash in designated parks only. Dog licensing required statewide under WI Stat. §174.
Wisconsin does not preempt local breed-specific legislation. Some WI cities have breed bans. WI Stat. §174.042 covers dangerous dogs based on behavior.
Middleton enforces maximum grass and weed height, typically 8 to 12 inches. Overgrown properties subject to code compliance action and city abatement.
Middleton enforces weed abatement under WI Stat. §66.0407. WI DNR NR 40 governs invasive species. County enforcement also applies.
Wisconsin allows residential rainwater harvesting without state restriction. Madison, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, and other Dane County cities actively encourage rain barrels through rebate programs. MMSD (Madison Metro Sewer) offers subsidies. Large cisterns may need SPS 382 plumbing review.
Artificial turf is allowed throughout Dane County with no state-level permit, but Madison's Erosion Control Ordinance (MGO §37.05) and Dane County Ch. 14 require stormwater review when impervious coverage changes. HOAs generally cannot ban artificial turf where properly installed and maintained.
Native plantings are encouraged across Dane County. Madison (MGO §23.29) explicitly permits natural lawns with registered plans. Dane County Land and Water Resources offers cost-share for native buffers. Wis. Stat. §66.0407 restricts local weed ordinances targeting intentional native plantings.
Dane County does not impose county-wide outdoor water use restrictions. Municipal water utilities within the county may impose restrictions during drought. Rural well users are generally unrestricted.
Tree trimming on private property in unincorporated Dane County is generally unregulated at the county level. Trees within the right-of-way of county highways require county highway department coordination.
Tree removal in shoreland setback areas and floodplains in Dane County requires a permit under Chapters 11 and 17. Private trees outside these zones generally do not require a county permit.
Middleton restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight, size, and signage limits apply. Overnight heavy truck storage prohibited.
Middleton requires vehicles parked on improved surfaces. Front lawn parking prohibited. Driveway modifications require permits.
Middleton enforces alternate-side parking November 15 through March 15 and 48-hour maximum street parking year-round. Snow emergencies trigger full parking bans on designated routes near University Avenue.
Wisconsin Stat. §342.40 and §349.13 let Dane County and its municipalities tag and tow vehicles left over 48 hours on public ways or stored inoperable in view. Madison (MGO §12.82) gives 48-hour notice. Dane County Code §48.09 covers unincorporated junk vehicles on private property.
Madison enforces a citywide Alternate Side Parking rule (MGO §12.76) from March 15 to March 14 annually between 1:00 AM and 7:00 AM. Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Sun Prairie, and Stoughton each ban overnight street parking during snow/ice operations. Unincorporated Dane County generally defers to town road rules.
EV charger installations in Dane County are governed by the Wisconsin DSPS Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) and state electrical code SPS 316 based on NEC Article 625. Madison, Fitchburg, and Middleton all issue expedited electrical permits. Wisconsin 2023 Act 121 clarifies that private EV charging is not a regulated utility.
RV and boat storage in unincorporated Dane County is primarily regulated by Dane County Chapter 10 (Zoning). Many rural residential districts allow on-lot storage of RVs and boats.
The City of Middleton allows accessory dwelling units under Chapter 10 (Zoning Ordinance) of the Middleton Municipal Code, adopted under city zoning authority granted by Wis. Stat. Sec. 62.23. ADUs are permitted accessory to single-family dwellings on residential lots. The unit is capped at the smaller of 900 square feet or 50% of the primary home's floor area. Owner-occupancy of the property is required (the principal dwelling or the ADU itself), though the ADU may be rented. Two-story ADUs are not allowed and the maximum height is 22 feet. A conditional use permit is not required, but a zoning permit and building permit must be issued by the City of Middleton before construction.
The City of Middleton requires a Shed/Fence Zoning Permit under Sec. 10.10.41 of the 2024 Zoning Ordinance before any shed is erected or altered. Residential storage sheds must sit at least 3 feet from any property line, may be no taller than 15 feet (or 22 feet only if the shed meets the principal building's setbacks), require plan review for any shed over 70 square feet, and must use construction methods matching the principal dwelling. Sheds located 10 feet or less from the dwelling unit must have 3/4-hour fire protection. Permit fees for one- and two-family lots total $80 ($50 zoning + $30 building).
Carports are regulated as accessory structures under Madison MGO Ch. 28 (Zoning) and the Wisconsin UDC (SPS 321). A building permit is required for any carport in Madison, Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Sun Prairie, and Stoughton. Dane County Ch. 10 Zoning governs unincorporated carports.
Foundation-built tiny homes in Dane County are treated as standard dwellings under Wis. Admin. Code SPS 320-325 (UDC). Tiny homes on wheels are classified as RVs/mobile homes under Wis. Stat. §101.91. 2017 Wisconsin Act 67 and Act 317 expanded ADU flexibility. Minimum habitable size is generally 150 sq ft under IRC Appendix Q.
Garage conversions to living space in unincorporated Dane County require building permits and must meet habitable space standards under Wisconsin building code. Converting to an ADU is permitted in appropriate zoning districts.
City of Middleton Zoning Ordinance Sec. 10.06.40 limits residential fences to 6 feet in height (including posts) in side and rear yards. In the front or street yard, fences are capped at 3 feet in height with a maximum of 50% opacity. For corner properties on lakeshore lots, fences between the lakeshore and the rear or side yard facing the lake are limited to 3 feet. All fences must meet the visibility (vision triangle) standards in Sec. 10.06.05. A Shed/Fence Zoning Permit under Sec. 10.10.41 is required before construction; the one- and two-family fee is $80 ($50 zoning + $30 building).
WI Stat. §90.02 to 90.14 provides line fence cost-sharing for rural/agricultural land. Urban residential fences: each owner responsible for their own.
Dane County municipalities allow wood (cedar, treated pine), vinyl, wrought iron, chain-link, and composite fencing. Madison General Ordinance §28 zoning specifies material rules. Barbed wire prohibited residentially; electric fencing limited to ag zones. Materials must withstand WI freeze-thaw.
Wisconsin UDC SPS 390 and the state-adopted ISPSC require all residential pools and spas to be surrounded by a minimum 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates. Madison (MGO §29.07), Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Sun Prairie, and Stoughton enforce these barriers at permit inspection.
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.
Fence permits in unincorporated Dane County are generally not required for standard agricultural or residential fences, but Zoning Compliance Review may be needed in some districts.
Short-term rentals in the City of Middleton must comply with Chapter 16 (Public Peace and Good Order) of the Middleton Code of Ordinances and the citywide nuisance rules administered by the Middleton Police Department. Wisconsin Statute Sec. 66.1014 (the 'right to rent' law) preempts an outright ban on rentals of seven consecutive days or longer but expressly preserves Middleton's authority to enforce neutral noise and nuisance regulations against STR hosts and their guests on the same terms as any other resident.
Middleton has not adopted a short-term rental-specific off-street parking minimum. STR guests must comply with the City's general parking ordinances, including Sec. 15.04(5) seasonal alternate side parking (in effect November 15 through March 15, no parking on the even-numbered side on odd calendar days and the odd-numbered side on even days between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.) and the citywide rule that no vehicle or trailer may be parked on a public street for longer than 24 hours.
Middleton collects 8% local room tax on short-term rentals in addition to the 5% state room tax. DATCP tourist rooming house license required. Popular STR market for Greenway Center and Capital Brewery visitors.
Middleton regulates but cannot ban STRs under WI Act 59 (2017). DATCP tourist rooming house license may be required. WI Stat. §66.1014.
Dane County and its municipalities (Madison, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Stoughton) do not mandate a specific STR liability minimum, but Wisconsin tourist rooming house licensing under Wis. Stat. §97.605 and Madison General Ordinances (MGO) Ch. 32 expect hosts to carry adequate coverage. Standard Wisconsin homeowner policies typically exclude commercial rental activity.
Madison MGO §28.151 caps tourist rooming house occupancy at 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. Wis. Stat. §66.1014 preempts outright STR bans but allows reasonable occupancy limits. Dane County unincorporated areas apply Ch. 10 standards.
Dane County does not impose a county-wide annual night cap on short-term rentals. Wis. Stat. §66.1014 (the right-to-rent law) bars local governments from prohibiting rentals of 7+ consecutive days and forbids capping 6-29 day rentals below 180 days per year. State licensing under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 72 kicks in once a property is rented more than 10 nights in a year.
Middleton regulates amplified music under its general noise ordinance. The Good Neighbor Festival and Hubbard Avenue Diner summer events have special noise permits. Pleasant View Golf Course area has event noise conditions.
Middleton enforces quiet hours typically 10 PM to 7 AM. Noise disturbances enforceable under WI Stat. §947.01 (Disorderly Conduct).
Middleton considers excessive barking a nuisance. Animal control handles complaints. WI Stat. §174 covers dog regulation statewide.
Dane County municipalities regulate leaf blowers under local noise ordinances. Wisconsin has no statewide gas blower ban. Madison General Ordinance 24.04 imposes decibel limits; quiet hours typically 10 PM to 7 AM across Dane County cities.
Dane County does not have specific construction hour restrictions for unincorporated areas. Wisconsin's general noise laws apply. Individual towns may set stricter standards.
Aircraft noise in Wisconsin is overwhelmingly governed by federal aviation law. The FAA preempts state and local noise regulation of aircraft in flight, while Wisconsin Statute Chapter 114 governs aeronautics and limits municipal authority over airspace and airport operations.
Middleton permits home occupations by conditional use in residential zones. No external signage, no customer parking impacts. The Greenway Center and Parmenter Street commercial district draw home business owners seeking brick-and-mortar transitions.
Wisconsin's 'Pickle Bill' (Wis. Stat. §97.29(2)(b)) and the 2017 Court-ordered expansion allow home baking and canning sales without a license up to $5,000/year (baked goods) with no cap on pickled items. Madison, Fitchburg, and Dane County farmers markets all host cottage food vendors.
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.
Home occupations in unincorporated Dane County are regulated under Chapter 10 (Zoning Ordinance). Most rural-residential and farmland-preservation districts list home occupations as a conditional use, requiring a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the Zoning and Land Regulation Committee. Agricultural-use businesses on farms generally rely on the Farmland Preservation framework instead.
Signage for home businesses in unincorporated Dane County is regulated through Chapter 10 zoning. Residential districts typically allow small, non-illuminated signs only.
Home occupation customer traffic standards in unincorporated Dane County vary by zoning district. Rural and agricultural zones are more permissive; residential-transitional zones restrict visible business activity.
Middleton requires pool barriers to prevent unsupervised child access. Minimum 48-inch height. Self-closing, self-latching gates. WI Stat. §145.17.
Middleton requires building permits for pools, spas, and hot tubs. WI Uniform Dwelling Code governs. Inspections required.
Middleton enforces pool safety requirements including anti-entrapment drain covers (VGB Act), barriers, and depth markers. WI Stat. §145.17 governs.
Hot tubs and spas in Dane County are regulated under Wis. Admin. Code SPS 390 (ISPSC) and state electrical code SPS 316. A 240V dedicated GFCI circuit requires an electrical permit in Madison (MGO §29.07). Locking safety covers meeting ASTM F1346 can satisfy the UDC barrier requirement.
Above-ground pools over 24 inches deep in unincorporated Dane County require a building permit and must meet the same fencing requirements as in-ground pools.
Wisconsin bans all aerial and explosive consumer fireworks. Only non-explosive types legal (sparklers, snakes, smoke devices). WI Stat. §167.10.
Outdoor burning regulated by WI DNR and local ordinance. Middleton may prohibit most open burning. Garbage burning always illegal. DNR permits required in protection areas.
Dane County is not designated as a high wildfire hazard zone; Wisconsin regulates wildfire primarily through DNR burning permits under Wis. Stat. §26.12 and §26.14, with no defensible-space ordinance in Madison or unincorporated Dane County.
Dane County Code Ch. 35 (Weeds) and municipal property maintenance codes require vacant lot and residential brush/weed control. WI DNR manages wildfire risk primarily in central/northern Wisconsin; Dane County focus is urban weed abatement and shoreland buffer rules.
Smoke detector requirements in unincorporated Dane County are set by Wisconsin state law, not the county. Wis. Stat. §101.645 requires functional smoke detectors in the basement and on every floor level (except attic/storage) of one- and two-family dwellings. New construction under Wis. Admin. Code SPS 321.09 must use hardwired, interconnected detectors inside each sleeping room and within 21 feet of sleeping-room doors. Violations carry up to $50/day forfeiture.
Recreational fire pits in unincorporated Dane County are generally permitted subject to Wisconsin DNR burning guidelines and common-sense safety practices. No specific county fire pit ordinance exists.
Wisconsin uniformly regulates propane storage, installation, and handling under Wis. Admin. Code SPS 340, adopting NFPA 58 statewide and preempting inconsistent local rules through state building and fuel gas codes.
The City of Middleton regulates floodplain development through Chapter 24 (Floodplain Zoning) of the Middleton Municipal Code, in conformance with Wis. Stat. Sec. 87.30 and Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter NR 116, plus 44 CFR Parts 59-72. The Yahara River and Pheasant Branch Creek are the primary regulated waterways. Middleton's floodplain ordinance was recodified with assistance from the Wisconsin DNR following FEMA's Dane County Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) updates. The ordinance establishes Floodway, Floodfringe, and Flood Storage Districts, and requires the lowest floor of habitable structures in the floodfringe to be elevated to the flood protection elevation - regional flood elevation plus 2 feet of freeboard.
Dane County Ch. 14 and Madison MGO Ch. 37 require erosion control permits for land disturbance of 4,000 sq ft (Madison) or 1 acre (county). Implements WI NR 151. Silt fence, tracking pads, and weekly inspections mandatory.
Dane County Chapter 14 and Madison General Ordinance Ch. 37 require stormwater control plans for new development with 4,000+ sq ft of disturbance. Post-construction practices must reduce TSS by 80% and meet Yahara TMDL phosphorus limits.
Dane County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance Ch. 11 enforces WI NR 115 buffers: 75-foot setback from Yahara lakes (Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa) and navigable streams. Impervious surface capped at 15% within 300 feet of OHWM.
Dane County and Madison require grading permits for earthwork exceeding 400 cubic yards or disturbance of 4,000+ sq ft. Fill cannot redirect surface water onto adjoining lots. Retaining walls over 4 feet need engineered plans per WI DSPS UDC.
Madison MGO §9.06 (Direct Sellers) requires peddlers and transient merchants to obtain a Direct Seller permit from City Clerk with background check, photo ID badge. WI Stat. §100.65 also regulates direct sellers. Religious, political canvassing exempt under First Amendment.
Madison and Dane County residents can post 'No Soliciting' signs enforceable under MGO §9.06. No formal city-maintained no-knock registry in Madison, but posted signs trigger citations when ignored. Political/religious canvassing remains constitutionally protected regardless of signage.
Madison MGO §28.140 caps light spillover at 0.5 foot-candle at any residential property line. Dane County enforces similar limits via zoning. Common-law nuisance claims also available. Security and flood lights must be aimed and shielded.
Madison MGO §28.140 and Dane County zoning require full-cutoff fixtures for commercial and multifamily outdoor lighting. Max 0.5 foot-candle spillover at residential property lines. No county-wide dark-sky ordinance, but UW-Madison Washburn Observatory influences local practice.
Madison's Streets Division provides free weekly trash and biweekly recycling pickup (MGO §10.18). Carts must be placed curbside by 7 AM on collection day and retrieved within 24 hours. Between pickups, carts must be stored out of public view. Fitchburg, Middleton, and Sun Prairie contract with private haulers under similar screening rules.
Vacant lot owners in Dane County must control noxious weeds under Wis. Stat. §66.0407 and keep grass under 8 inches per Madison Gen. Ord. §27.05(2)(j); failure to comply triggers municipal abatement with costs billed to the owner as a special charge.
Madison MGO 10.28 requires sidewalk snow/ice clearance by noon the day after snowfall ends. Sun Prairie Ch. 7 requires 24 hours. Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Stoughton, Monona impose 24 to 48 hour deadlines. Dane County snowbelt averages 50 inches annually. City will clear and bill for non-compliance.
Dane County municipalities enforce blight and property maintenance codes against messy garage sales. Madison MGO 27 (Property Maintenance) requires tidy display and same-day cleanup. Items left curbside after sale hours trigger nuisance abatement. Unsold goods cannot remain visible in front yard between sale days.
Dane County enforces property blight standards under Wis. Stat. Ch. 66 police powers; Madison Gen. Ord. Ch. 27 (Building & Property Maintenance Code) addresses deteriorated exteriors, broken windows, junk accumulation, and nuisances across Madison and unincorporated Dane County.
Dane County municipalities typically allow garage sales from 7 or 8 AM to 7 or 8 PM. Sun Prairie limits sales to 7 AM to 8 PM (Ch. 8). Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Stoughton, and Monona follow similar daylight windows. Madison has no explicit hour restriction but applies general noise ordinance (MGO 24.08).
Most Dane County municipalities limit residential garage sales to 3 to 4 per calendar year, each 2 to 4 days long. Madison has no explicit frequency cap in MGO 9.13 but enforces through zoning when sales become commercial. Wisconsin DOR requires sales tax registration after 3 sales annually.
Madison does not require a permit for residential garage sales (MGO 9.13). Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Stoughton, and Monona also do not require permits. All jurisdictions enforce sign placement rules under their sign codes and prohibit commercial resale operations.
Madison requires 1:1 to 2:1 replacement for removed terrace trees (MGO 10.10). Development projects under MGO 28.142 must meet minimum canopy requirements. Dane County has no private replacement ordinance. Replacement species must follow Madison's approved list emphasizing climate-adapted varieties.
Madison MGO 10.055 allows Landmark Tree designation based on size, species, or historical significance. Listed trees cannot be removed without Landmarks Commission approval. Dane County has no formal heritage tree program. State champion trees are tracked by DNR but lack regulatory protection.
Madison MGO 10.10 regulates trees in the terrace (public right-of-way) and requires City Forestry permits for removal. Private tree removal is generally unregulated. Dane County has no countywide private tree ordinance. Oak wilt restrictions under Wis. Stat. §26.30 ban April 1 to July 31 pruning.
Madison requires Mobile Food Vending License under MGO §9.13 plus Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) food service license. Annual vehicle inspection, commissary, liability insurance, and certified food protection manager required per WI Ch. ATCP 75.
Madison Food Cart Review regulates State Street, Library Mall, Capitol Square vending with lottery-assigned spaces (MGO §9.13). Private property vending needs owner consent and zoning compliance. Distance-from-restaurant rules uncommon in Madison but exist in suburbs.
Rent control is illegal in Wisconsin. Wis. Stat. §66.1015 preempts any local rent regulation; Act 67 (2011) and Act 317 (2017) further barred Madison and Dane County from capping rent increases. Market rate applies. Wis. Stat. Ch. 704 governs notice.
Wisconsin has no just-cause eviction law. Wis. Stat. Ch. 704 governs: 5-day cure or quit for nonpayment, 14-day unconditional quit option, 28-day no-cause for month-to-month. 2017 Act 317 preempts local just-cause ordinances. Self-help evictions banned.
Madison requires Certificate of Compliance every 4 years for rentals under MGO §27.05 and operates a Chronic Nuisance program. 2017 Act 317 preempts cities from mandating broader rental registration or inspection fees. Fitchburg and Stoughton run similar limited programs.
Madison MGO §31.043 treats garage sale signs as temporary noncommercial signs, limited to 6 sq ft, with up to 2 off-premises signs allowed for 3 days. No signs on utility poles, street signs, or in the right-of-way per Wis. Stat. §86.19. Must remove within 24 hours of sale.
Holiday decorations on private residential property are permitted in Dane County with minimal restrictions. No permit needed. Must not obstruct public sidewalks or block driver sight lines. Electrical work must meet WI DSPS UDC SPS 316. Noise rules apply after 10pm.
Madison MGO §31.043 and Dane County sign codes allow political signs on private property. First Amendment and Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015) bar content-based rules. WI §12.04 prohibits signs on public property. Typical limit 32 sq ft residential. Removal within 7 days post-election customary.
Recreational drones in Dane County follow FAA rules (49 USC §44809): TRUST test, registration if over 0.55 lbs, 400-ft ceiling, VLOS. Madison/Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) Class C airspace restricts flights. Madison Parks prohibit launches without permit.
Commercial drone operators in Dane County need FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. MSN Airport Class C requires LAANC. Madison film permits (MGO §9.24) may apply for commercial photography. Part 107 waivers needed for night ops and flights over people.
Madison Streets Division provides weekly curbside trash and biweekly recycling (MGO §10.18). Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona contract Pellitteri, Waste Management, or operate municipal service. Carts out by 7 AM; snow delays common with 45+ inch snow belt.
Wisconsin §287.07 mandates residential recycling statewide — Dane County has one of the strongest compliance cultures. Madison MGO §10.18 requires paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastics #1-#7. No plastic bags in single-stream. Contaminated carts skipped.
Madison MGO §10.185 requires carts placed at curb lid-closed by 7 AM, returned to storage within 24 hours. Carts must be 3 feet apart and clear of mailboxes, hydrants, parked cars. Winter snow piles complicate placement; carts on plowed path not in street.
Madison Streets offers large item collection by appointment (MGO §10.188) for furniture, mattresses, appliances. Appliances with refrigerant need CFC removal. Dane County Rodefeld Landfill (Verona) handles household hazardous waste drop-off.
Wisconsin prohibits cannabis dispensaries. No medical or recreational retail is authorized under Wis. Stat. Ch. 961. Dane County and all municipalities follow state law. CBD hemp retail under Wis. Stat. §94.55 is legal for products under 0.3% THC. Dispensary signage or operation triggers felony charges.
Wisconsin prohibits ALL cannabis cultivation under Wis. Stat. Ch. 961 (Uniform Controlled Substances Act). No medical or recreational program exists. Growing any cannabis plant is a felony if 4+ plants, misdemeanor if fewer. Madison MGO 23.20 decriminalizes small-quantity possession but NOT cultivation.
Madison MGO §25.09 sets juvenile curfew for under-17: 11 PM to 5 AM weeknights, midnight to 5 AM weekends. Exceptions: parent accompaniment, work travel, school events, emergency. WI Stat. Ch. 938 Juvenile Justice Code provides state framework. Parental liability applies.
Dane County Parks close 10 PM to 6 AM per Ord. Ch. 16. City of Madison parks close 10 PM to 4 AM (MGO 8.20). Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Stoughton, Monona parks close 10 or 11 PM. After-hours presence is a municipal citation.
Dane County Zoning Ord. Ch. 10 requires minimum setbacks: 30 ft front, 10 ft side, 25 ft rear in SFR-08 district. Madison Zoning Code (MGO 28) sets TR-C1 setbacks at 20 ft front, 6 ft side, 30 ft rear. Shoreland-zoned parcels along Yahara lakes require 75 ft ordinary high-water setback under NR 115.
Madison Zoning Code (MGO 28) caps single-family residential at 35 ft or 2.5 stories. Dane County Ord. Ch. 10 allows 35 ft in SFR-08. Downtown Madison heights vary 6 to 20 stories by district. State Capitol view preservation caps heights within 1 mile of Capitol at 187.5 ft per Wis. Stat. §13.48(2)(f).
Madison TR-C1 zoning (MGO 28) caps lot coverage at 50%, TR-C2 at 55%. Dane County SFR-08 caps at 30%. Yahara-basin stormwater ordinance (Dane County Ch. 14) requires infiltration BMPs for impervious additions over 1,000 sq ft. NR 151 applies in shoreland districts.
Wis. Stat. §66.0401 extends beyond municipalities to restrictive covenants: HOAs cannot effectively prohibit solar panels. Reasonable placement rules allowed only if they don't significantly increase cost (10%+) or decrease efficiency (10%+).
Solar panel installations require electrical and building permits under WI DSPS UDC (SPS 321, 316). Wis. Stat. §66.0401 limits municipal restrictions on solar collectors. Madison offers expedited MadiSUN permit review. Net metering through Madison Gas & Electric or Alliant Energy.
Wisconsin Statute 104.001 expressly preempts cities, villages, towns, and counties from establishing a minimum wage higher than the state minimum, ensuring uniform wage rules across Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Statute 103.10 and 104.001 preempt local paid sick leave ordinances, blocking cities and counties from requiring private employers to provide paid time off beyond state and federal mandates.
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.
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.
Wisconsin Statute 66.0419, enacted by 2015 Act 17, preempts cities, villages, towns, and counties from regulating, banning, or imposing fees on auxiliary containers including plastic bags, cups, and bottles.
Wisconsin's auxiliary container preemption law in Statute 66.0419 prevents municipalities from banning or restricting expanded polystyrene foam takeout containers, leaving any restriction to state legislation.
Wisconsin Statute 66.0419 preempts cities and counties from regulating plastic straws, stirrers, and similar single-use items, and the state has not adopted a statewide straw-on-request rule.
Wisconsin Statute 134.66 prohibits selling, giving, or furnishing cigarettes, tobacco, or vapor products to any person under 21 years of age and requires retailers to verify age via valid ID before sale.
Wisconsin has not enacted a statewide ban on flavored tobacco or vapor products; sales of menthol cigarettes and flavored e-cigarettes remain lawful under Wis. Stat. 134.66 subject to age and licensing rules.
Wisconsin regulates electronic vaping devices under its tobacco statutes, requiring retailer licenses, age-verification, and excise taxes on vapor products, with state law preempting most local retail rules under 134.66.