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Building Inspection is open to the public by appointment only.

For more on appointments and other services, please see the Building Inspection Services page.

Occupancy Standards

City ordinances and state codes outline occupancy standards. Occupancy is complex, and this page is only a guide.

Zoning Occupancy Limits

Zoning limits maximum occupancy of a dwelling unit to:

  • An individual; or
  • Two or more people related by blood, marriage, domestic partnership, or legal adoption, living together as a single household in a dwelling unit, including foster children; up to four roomers, and their dependents; or
  • Up to five unrelated adults and the dependents of each, living together as a single household; or
  • Up to six unrelated people who have disabilities under the Fair Housing Amendment Act (FHAA) or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), who are living as a single household because of their disability and requiring assistance from a caregiver.

Contact Zoning at (608) 266-4551 or zoning@cityofmadison.com if you have any questions.

 

Minimum Housing Occupancy Limits
If the building has units needs to provide
one or more units
  • 150 sq. ft. for the first dweller
  • 100 sq. ft. for each additional dweller
three or more units
  • 150 sq. ft. for the first dweller
  • 100 sq. ft. for each additional dweller

AND

  • 400 cubic feet of sleeping space per adult
  • 200 cubic feet of sleeping space per child

A 10 ft. by 10 ft. bedroom, with a standard eight-foot ceiling, lodges two (2) adults. The same sized room could lodge four (4) children.

 

To find the livable area of a dwelling unit:
  1. Find the total square footage.
  2. Subtract the area of closets, hallways, bathrooms and utility rooms.

Bedrooms, dens, studies, dining rooms, and kitchens count towards the livable space.

Last Updated: 04/25/2023

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