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.
Within designated districts and overlays, developers can earn additional dwelling units, height, or floor-area ratio in exchange for income-restricted apartments, family-sized units, or proximity to Bus Rapid Transit stations. Wisconsin Act 26 of 2017 prohibits mandatory inclusionary zoning, so Madison structures these as voluntary bonuses recorded in conditional-use approvals. The Department of Planning, Community and Economic Development administers reviews with the Community Development Division for affordability monitoring. Layered with low-income housing tax credits and the Affordable Housing Fund, the bonus program targets transit corridors. Compliance covenants run for thirty years or longer and are recorded against the property.
Failure to maintain restricted units triggers covenant enforcement, repayment of city subsidies, and possible revocation of the conditional-use approval through the Plan Commission.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Madison, WI
Madison has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. MGO Chapter 27 (Property Maintenance) requires general yard upkeep but does...
Madison, WI
Madison has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. MGO Chapter 24 (Noise) sets residential noise standards that could theoreti...
Madison, WI
Madison has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Timing, brightness, and animation are governed by HOA and condo covenants under Wis...
Madison, WI
Madison requires building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas lines, electrical wiring, plumbing, or structural roofs. Permits route through Madison Buildi...
Madison, WI
Madison has no specific smoker ordinance. MGO Chapter 24 (Noise) and Chapter 7 (Public Health) provide nuisance authority for excessive smoke. Wisconsin DNR ...
Madison, WI
Madison Fire Code under MGO Chapter 34 adopts the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (SPS 361-366) and Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 314 (Fire Prevention...
See how Madison's density bonus law rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.