Urban Design Approvals

Early in the planning of your project you must meet with Urban Design staff to discuss the project and establish a timetable for the approval process. Please email UDCapplications@cityofmadison.com to schedule a pre-application meeting with staff. 

You will also want to contact the district alder to discuss your proposal and learn of any neighborhood concerns. Projects involving minor alterations may qualify to be administratively approved. Otherwise, prepare your plans and follow the steps to obtain your building permit.

UDC submittals must be submitted in a digital PDF file format. See Page 2 of the UDC Application for more information. All materials must be emailed to UDCapplications@cityofmadison.com. An individual email attachment cannot exceed 20 MB. Attachments larger than 20 MB must be submitted by separate email or using a file-share link. If you need alternative application filing options, please email UDCapplications@cityofmadison.com. Submittal deadlines are listed in the current Development Review Schedule. Deadlines are on designated Mondays at 12:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

The application fee can be submitted via any of the following methods:

1. Mail to: City of Madison Building Inspection, P.O. Box 2984, Madison, WI 53701-2984
2. Drop in the drop box at: Madison Municipal Building, 215 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. (Doty Street Entrance)
3. Make an appointment at the Zoning counter in the Madison Municipal Building, 215 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., to pay the fee.

Make checks out to “City Treasurer.” Attach a completed application form if you submitting payment by mail or using the drop box. Using the drop box or making an appointment with the Zoning counter are the quickest ways to pay the fee.

After you submit your application for Urban Design Commission review and staff have determined that the application is complete, it will be scheduled for a public hearing. Generally, this hearing is held within thirty (30) days of the date you file your application. City staff sends notice of the hearing to you, the alder and owners of properties within two hundred (200) feet of the boundaries of the proposed project.

At the UDC meeting you will present your project and answer questions. Following your project presentation, the UDC will take action on the project and determine whether the project needs to return to the UDC for final approval or it can proceed to Site Plan Review. 

You or the alder for the district may appeal an Urban Design Commission decision to the Plan Commission. Permits are not issued until the Plan Commission acts on the appeal.