Madison, WI Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- MGO § 33.24(15)(e)12
- Bonus stories, most blocks
- 2 to 4 stories above base height
- Block 2b maximum
- Up to 171 ft / 14 stories
- Affordable housing option
- 15% of units at 60-80% AMI
- Reviewing body
- Urban Design Commission
- Penalty for unauthorized height
- $1-$200 forfeiture per day
Summary
In Urban Design District 8 along East Washington Avenue, Madison lets buildings rise two to four stories above the base zoning height if the developer delivers a public benefit the Urban Design Commission accepts. MGO § 33.24(15)(e)12 ties every extra story to a specific, block-mapped menu of affordable-housing, sustainability or open-space commitments.
b.Bonus stories may be allowed as follows:i.Two (2) bonus stories on Blocks 2c, 3b, 4b, 12b, 13b, 14a, 14b, 15, 16, 17c, and 18c. ... ii.Three (3) bonus stories on Blocks 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, and 13a, and a third bonus story on up to ten percent (10%) of the area of Block 4b. ... c.Bonus stories may be granted if it is determined that the provision of at least one (1) element from i. or a combination of elements from ii. provides sufficient public benefit to warrant the additional height.i.—LEED Gold certification, or equivalent. —Inclusion of at least fifteen percent (15%) of dwelling units for families with incomes not greater than sixty percent (60%) Area Median Income (AMI) for rental units and/or an income not greater than eighty percent (80%) AMI for owner-occupied units.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 24(15) establishes Urban Design District 8, the Capitol Gateway Corridor along East Washington Avenue, and subsection (e)12 sets the bonus-story rules. The number of bonus stories is mapped by block: two bonus stories on Blocks 2c, 3b, 4b, 12b, 13b, 14a, 14b, 15, 16, 17c and 18c; three bonus stories on Blocks 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a and 13a (plus a third bonus story on up to 10% of Block 4b); four bonus stories on up to 15% of Block 3b; and up to six total stories (171 feet) on Block 2b under a separate, more detailed test.
To earn the bonus, an applicant must provide at least one element from a first tier, LEED Gold certification or equivalent, at least 15% of dwelling units affordable to households at or below 60% Area Median Income (rental) or 80% AMI (owner-occupied), shared structured parking, or publicly accessible plazas/pocket parks (one square foot of bonus area for every square foot of plaza provided), or a combination of elements from a second, lower-value tier that includes mid-block pedestrian connections, family-sized units, historic-structure preservation, community meeting rooms, 50% vegetative roof cover, LEED Silver, or a voluntary Land Use Restriction Agreement (LURA) reserving at least 5% of units for households at 60-80% AMI.
The Urban Design Commission reviews and approves the specific package before bonus stories are granted; this ordinance was created by ORD-09-00155 (11-20-09) and the bonus-story mechanics have been amended repeatedly through 2025 (most recently ORD-25-00009, 3-8-25).
Violations & Fines
Sec. 33.24(16) puts enforcement of the Urban Design District 8 ordinance with the Director of the Building Inspection Division. A person who violates the district's design-review requirements is subject upon conviction to a forfeiture of not less than $1 nor more than $200, and each day a violation continues is treated as a separate offense, so building above the base height without an approved bonus-story package or ignoring the required 45-degree stepback above five stories exposes an owner to daily, stacking forfeitures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 'bonus story' in Madison's UDD 8?
How many extra stories can a building on East Washington Avenue get?
What must a developer give the city to earn bonus stories?
Who enforces the height limits if a developer builds without approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison
Compare Madison to another location·View the Wisconsin zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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