Madison, WI Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- MGO § 28.141(8)(c)
- Front-yard/street-side parking
- Prohibited except on a conforming driveway
- Max paved front setback
- 40%
- Companion offense
- § 12.128(11), off-driveway parking prohibited
- First-offense forfeiture
- $100 (yard parking)
- Second-offense forfeiture
- $200
Summary
Madison zoning bars parking within front and street-side yard setbacks except on a conforming driveway, and caps paved front-setback area at 40% for lot coverage. MGO § 28.141(8)(c) sets the standard for single- and two-family lots; unlawful yard parking draws a $100 first-offense forfeiture.
(c)Parking Locations for Single and Two-Family Dwellings. ... 1.Parking is not permitted within front yard setbacks, or any street side yard setback, including the side yard setback extension into the rear yard, except on a driveway meeting the standards of Subsection (9) below.2.Parking shall not be located on street terraces, driveways, or any other areas located within a public right-of-way not explicitly designated by the Director of Public Works.3.Parking spaces may be located within:a.an interior side yard setback.b.a rear yard setback, except as in sub. 1 above.c.the building envelope... 5.A maximum of forty percent (40%) of the front setbacks may be paved and used for driveway and parking purposes provided lot coverage requirements are not exceeded.
Full Breakdown
141(8) governs where vehicles may park on residential lots. Subsection (8)(a) requires that all parking lots and driveways shall have paved or approved surfaces, as required in Sec. 08, MGO, though a single- or two-family residential drive may keep a grass center strip as long as the paved tracks under the tires are at least 12 inches wide. 141(9) driveway standards. Parking is also off-limits on street terraces or other public right-of-way areas the Director of Public Works has not designated, though owners may park within an interior side-yard setback, most of a rear-yard setback, or the building envelope itself.
A through lot, defined as having two front yards and no rear yard, may use its building envelope or an interior side setback but never either front setback. Subsection (8)(c)5 caps how much of the front setback can be paved for driveway and parking use at 40%, provided the lot's overall coverage limit is not exceeded. 128(11), which separately bars leaving a vehicle standing in any yard area wherein parking of motor vehicles is prohibited pursuant to Sec. 128(8), which bars parking on an unpaved driveway or yard in a residential district without the property owner's permission.
Violations & Fines
Unlawful parking in a yard under § 28.141(8)(c) carries a $100 forfeiture for a first offense and $200 for a second, per the City's uniform citation schedule; the companion offense of parking on an unpaved private driveway or yard without the owner's permission under § 12.128(8) is separately enforceable, and both can result in the vehicle being tagged or towed by Madison police or parking enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park my car on the grass in my front yard in Madison?
How much of my front yard can I pave for a driveway?
Is there a fine for parking in a prohibited yard area?
Can I park on an unpaved side yard instead of the driveway?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison
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How other cities in Dane County handle driveway rules.