You need a permit to build any garage, whether attached to or detached from the house. At any time during the planning or construction of your garage, you can call Building Inspection if you have questions.
Process Overview
Determine Zoning
Your first step is to talk to Zoning. Your property may have restrictions on garage placement. Zoning staff will tell you if any conditions affect your project. If so, our staff will give you information about next steps.
Zoning at Building Permits: (608) 266-4551, ext. 3.
Review Requirements
Size
The maximum height that your garage can be is fifteen (15) feet. Measure height from the ground to a point midway between the eave and top of the roof.
The total area of accessory buildings, including sheds and detached garages, may not exceed 1,000 square feet. Measure area at the ground floor. Conditional use approval may allow a larger total building area.
Driveways
Driveways must be at least eight (8) feet wide at the sidewalk.
If you want a new driveway opening or to expand an existing driveway opening, check with Zoning staff at (608) 266-4551 and the Engineering Division at (608) 266-4751 to find out the specific requirements in your area.
Placement
A detached garage must be at least three (3) feet away from your house or other structures.
A garage should be at least three (3) feet from the rear or side lot lines of your yard.
A garage located in the rear forty (40) feet of your lot most likely meets zoning requirements in your neighborhood.
A garage located along the side of your house requires a setback greater than three (3) feet from the side lot line. Check with Zoning staff for this setback distance.
If your lot is on a corner or is irregularly shaped, the setbacks may be different than described. Show your site plan to city Zoning staff to find out quickly and accurately where you can build your garage and the size it can be.
The dimensions of the lot, the shed, the house, and any other structures.
The distances from the shed to the lot lines and the distances to all other structures.
Draw your site plan to scale. Make sure you use an accepted scale.
Schedule an appointment with Zoning to review your site plan. If you skip this step and your site plan is not acceptable, it may add weeks to your permit processing time.
Apply for a Building Permit
Where to Go
Building Inspection Permit Counter by appointment only Madison Municipal Building 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Suite 017 Madison, WI 53703
What to Include
Bring two (2) copies of the 8 1/2 x 11 inch drawing (site plan) from Step 3.
You also need two (2) sets of the construction plans drawn to scale.
The initial plan review will take 10 – 15 business days.
Pay the Fee and Receive Your Permit
The City charges fee for building permits to cover the cost of plan review and inspections.
We base the fee for each project on the type, square footage, or value of the project. Staff will calculate your fee once we approve your plans.
Start the Work
During construction, be sure to display the permit where it can be seen from the street.
