When you and your
neighbors want to
permanently close a
street no longer needed
as a public thoroughfare,
you, the property owners
can request a street
vacation. This process is
necessary to ensure the
public interest in the
street right-of-way and
the public utility of the
right-of-way is no longer
necessary [State Statutes 66.1003 & 66.1005].
Note: If the right-of-way was
purchased by the City
for street purposes it is
generally sold to
adjacent owners at fair
market value.
PROCESS OVERVIEW:
Send in Request(s)
All property owners
adjacent to the street to
be vacated should send
the following items to
the City Clerk and the
City Engineering
Division:
- A letter of request
- A sketch of the area to be vacated
City Clerk
City-County Building
210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 103
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-4601
City Engineering
City-County Building
210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 115
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-4751
Request Review
The request is
introduced to the
Common Council and
referred to the Board of
Public Works, the Plan
Commission and the
Transportation
Commission for
consideration.
All these reviewers report
back to the City
Engineering Division.
City Engineering also coordinates the vacation
request with other City
agencies and the Utility
companies.
Public Hearing
If the Commissions
approve the street
vacation, City
Engineering prepares a
description of the area to
be vacated, including
easements and other
restrictions. You may be
required to obtain a
survey of the area to be
vacated.
The Common Council
then holds a public
hearing and approves or
rejects the vacation
request.
Completion
If approved, the vacated
right-of-way is divided
in compliance with the
laws regarding reversion.
Related Forms & Handouts
Have Questions?
Contact
City Engineering - (608) 266-4751 and
City Clerk - (608) 266-4601
(608) 266-4751