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LOCATIONS
& BUILDINGS:
Your realtor will help you find a space and
location that will fit your needs and those of
your customers. What you do with it is important
to you and the City.
To
open your business as soon as possible, you
should familiarize yourself with the building
and zoning processes and time frames explained
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Site Considerations
Overview:
If
your business needs a: Change
of Building Use
Approvals that may be required: Conditional Use
Permit, Zoning change
Approximate time required: 3-5 weeks
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: Plan
Commission, Common Council
If
your business needs a: Interior
Building Remodeling
Approvals that may be required: Building Permit
Approximate time required: 7 working days
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: Permit
Counter Staff
If
your business needs a: Exterior
Building Remodeling
Approvals that may be required: Conditional Use
Permit, Building Permit
Approximate time required: 3 - 5 weeks
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: Plan
Commission, Urban Design Commission, Landmarks
Commission, Permit Counter Staff
If
your business needs a: Demolition
Approvals that may be required: Conditional Use
Permit, Wrecking Permit
Approximate time required: 3 - 5 weeks
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: Plan
Commission, Landmarks Commission
If
your business needs a: New
Building
Approvals that may be required: Conditional Use
Permit, Building Permit
Approximate time required: 3 - 5 weeks
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: Plan
Commission, Urban Design Commission
If
your business needs a: Parking
Lot/Site Improvement
Approvals that may be required: Conditional Use
Permit, Building Permit
Approximate time required: 3 - 5 weeks
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: Plan
Commission, Urban Design Commission
If
your business needs a: Street
or Sidewalk Encroaching
Approvals that may be required: Privilege In
Streets
Approximate time required: 2 - 4 weeks
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: Privilege
in Streets Committee
If
your business needs a: Signs
Approvals that may be required: Street Graphics
Permit
Approximate time required:
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: Zoning
Staff, Urban Design Commission
If
your business needs a: Awning
Approvals that may be required: Building Permit
Approximate time required: 7 working days - 3
weeks
Reviewing boards, commissions or staff: Urban
Design Commission, Permit Counter Staff
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- Contact
the downtown alderperson to discuss the
project prior to applying. They appreciate
the advance notice of what is happening in
their district. Call the Common Council
Office, 266-4071,
to find out your alderperson's name and to
leave a message.
Who
is your alder?
- Discussing
your proposal with Zoning staff, 266-4596,
before you invest a lot of time and money in
the project, will give you a better
understanding of the review process, time
frame and fees involved
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Downtown
Madison is a unique business environment. To ensure
that a different use of a property will complement its
neighbors a special review of projects that change the
use or appearance of a building is required. This
review is for a conditional use permit or a zoning
change. All conditional use permit applications are
discussed at the Urban Design Commission and at a
public hearing before the Plan Commission. The Plan
Commission may place conditions and restrictions upon
the establishment's location, construction,
maintenance and operation. Once the conditional use is
approved, you will receive a letter explaining the
conditions and what you need to do next. A zoning
change is discussed at a public hearing before the
Plan Commission. The Plan Commission may place
conditions and restrictions upon the establishment's
location, construction, maintenance and operation. The
Common Council adopts the the Plan Commission's
recommendations and a zoning map amendment is made.
Once the zoning map amendment is adopted you will
receive a letter explaining the conditions and what
you need to do next.
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To
make sure construction meets minimum building and safety
standards a building permit is necessary when remodeling
the interior of a building. Two (2) sets of construction
drawings including architectural, structural, plumbing and
mechanical plans are required when applying for a building
permit. Call the Permit Counter staff, 266-4559, to
discuss your project before submittal. They will advise
you if special approval is also be required.
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- If
you renovate historic, income-producing
property, you may qualify for a federal tax
credit of 20% and a state tax credit of 5% of
the project costs. Call the Wisconsin State
Historical Society-Historic Preservation
Division, 264-6500, for tax credit
information.
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Changing
the exterior of an existing building requires a building permit.
Review by the Landmarks Commission, Urban Design Commission and Plan
Commission may also be needed. Before applying for a building
permit, discuss your project with Urban Design Commission staff,
266-4635.
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- Meet
or call Zoning staff, 266-4569, to find if
your property needs Landmarks Commission
review. Do this several weeks before
submitting your demolition application to
allow review by the Landmarks Commission if
necessary.
- If
you obtain a demolition permit it is your
responsibility to call the utility companies
(water, gas and electric) to disconnect
service before demolition.
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To prevent the
loss of buildings that are structurally sound,
economically productive or that can be repaired or
rehabilitated, several city commissions must review and
approve demolition permit applications. Demolition permits
are not issued when it is clear that the primary purpose
is to avoid compliance with the building code or if no
immediate use is planned. The first review is by the
Landmarks Commission or staff whose charge is to protect
and enhance Madison's rich historical and cultural
heritage. Occasionally property owners and renters do not
know their building is a landmark or located in an
historic district. All demolition permit applications are
then reviewed at a public hearing held in conjunction with
the Plan Commission meeting. If approved, the demolition
permit can be issued the next day after the Plan
Commission hearing and meeting.
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- Additional
design advice is available in the Urban
Design Guidelines for Downtown Madison
booklet. The booklet is free from the
Department of Planning and Development.
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Plans and
designs for new structures in the center of the City are
reviewed to ensure that their design and appearance will
enhance the area.
Meet
with the staff of the Urban Design Commission, 266-4635,
in the early planning stage of your project. At this
meeting a timeline for obtaining Urban Design Commission
approval and your appearance at a public hearing during
the Plan Commission meeting will be established.
Intense land
use in the downtown area limits the availability of empty
lots for parking use only. Most private parking lots are
accessory lots for building tenants. Off-street parking
and loading facilities are reviewed to minimize adverse
effects on adjacent properties and public right-of-ways.
Call
Zoning, 266-4569, before submitting any applications. City
Zoning staff can tell you the design and landscape
requirements for parking lots. Zoning staff can also tell
you what Commission approval will be needed.
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For
reasons of public safety, any part of your building, sign
or fence that extends over or under a public street or
sidewalk is reviewed by the Privilege in Streets
Committee. If approved, an annual fee and maintenance of
commercial general liability insurance is required for
these permanent uses of City property. Call the Privilege
in Streets Committee staff person at 266-4222 for more
information and a time frame for your project.
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- Signs
must be installed by a city-licensed graphics
erector. Ask the Permit Counter staff for a
list of licensed sign erectors.
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As a visual
element, signs can enhance or detract from the appearance
of a commercial area. Signs and street graphics are
reviewed and approved for compatibility with surroundings,
legibility and safety. Have a sketch of the sign and its
location ready to show City staff before submitting your
application. Sign approval and permit should be obtained
from the City before having the sign fabricated.
If
in the C-4 district, start the application process with
the Urban Design Commission staff at 266-4635. If
elsewhere Downtown, start your application with the Zoning
Staff at 266-4569.
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Awnings:
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- As
a practical consideration, rollup awnings and
awnings with little or no fringe will have a
longer life. Snow and ice buildup on
stationary awnings can cause avalanches,
dripping and ice accumulation on the
sidewalks. These are hazardous for
pedestrians. Low hanging fringe can get caught
in maintenance equipment and be damaged by
vandals.
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Awnings
are a functional and decorative element on many buildings.
A minimum clearance of 7'6" between the lowest awning
frame and the sidewalk ensures the awning will not
interfere with public safety and use of the sidewalk and
street. Text or logos must be less than 6 inches in height
and be on the lowest 12 inches of the face or side panels
of the awning. Non-permanently attached awnings do not
require a review by the Privilege in Streets Committee.
Review by this committee can add weeks to the approval
process.
If
your awning will have a logo or name on it, start the
application process by talking with the Zoning staff,
266-4569. Text or logos must not exceed 6 inches in height
and be located on the lowest 12 inches of the principal
face or side panels of the awning. If you awning is on the
State Street Mall/Capitol Concourse, start your
application with Urban Design staff, 266-4635.
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