Subdividing Land

Please talk with Planning staff before getting a plat or certified survey map. Note: the Planning office is currently open to the public by appointment only. Since many staff are working remotely, we are holding these meeting virtually. Please call Planning at 608-266-4635 to schedule an appointment.

Where to Go

Department of Planning and Community & Economic Development

215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Suite 017

Madison, WI 53703

Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm

Submit your application to the Planning Division to begin the formal review process.

When

Review the current Development Review Schedule (here is an alternative version of the same schedule), for the Plan Commission and Common Council. The two columns on the left contain the submittal dates, which vary depending on the request(s). The middle three columns are the corresponding Urban Design Commission, Plan Commission, and Common Council meetings. (Read across the row from the submittal date). Deadlines occur on designated Mondays at 12:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted. 

Where to Go

Online (Staff are currently only accepting digital (PDF) submittals - not paper)

What to Include

• Applicants are to submit each of the following documents as individual PDF files in an email sent to PCapplications@cityofmadison.com:
  • A completed Subdivision Application form
  • Map Copies (prepared by a Registered Land Surveyor):
    • For Preliminary Plats, the drawings must be drawn to scale and are required to provide all information as set forth in M.G.O. Sec. 16.23 (7)(a).
    • For Final Plats, the drawings must be drawn to scale and drawn to the specifications of §236.20, Wis. Stats..
    • For Certified Survey Maps (CSMs), the drawings shall include all of the information set forth in M.G.O. Secs. 16.23 (7)(a) and (d), including existing site conditions, the nature of the proposed division and any other necessary data. Utility data (field located or from utility maps) may be provided on a separate map submitted with application.
    • For Plats & CSMs, in addition to the PDF copy, a digital CADD file shall be submitted in a format compatible with AutoCAD. The digital CADD file(s) shall be referenced to the Dane County Coordinate System and shall contain, at minimum, the list of items stated below, each on a separate layer/level name. The line work shall be void of gaps and overlaps and match the plat, preliminary plat or CSM as submitted: a) Right-of-Way lines (public and private); b) Lot lines; c) Lot numbers; d) Lot/Plat dimensions; e) Street names; f) Easement lines (i.e. all in title and shown on the plat or CSM including wetland & floodplain boundaries.
  • Letter of Intent: One copy of a letter describing the proposed subdivision or land division in detail including, but not limited to:
    • The number and type/use of the lots and outlots proposed with this subdivision or land division, including any outlots to be dedicated to the public.
    • Existing conditions and uses of the property.
    • Phasing schedule for the project, and.
    • The names of persons involved (property owner(s), subdivider, surveyor, civil engineer, etc.).

• Report of Title and Supporting Documents: All applications submitted for approval shall include an electronic submittal, in PDF format, of a City of Madison standard 60-year Report of Title obtained from a title insurance company as required in M.G.O. Sec. 16.23 and as satisfactory to the Office of Real Estate Services. The Report of Title must have been completed within three (3) months of the submittal date of this application. Title insurance or a title commitment policy are NOT acceptable (i.e. a Preliminary Title Report or a Record Information Certificate). The electronic PDF submittal shall include images of the vesting deeds and all documents listed in the Report of Title.
• For Surveys Outside the Madison City Limits: A copy of the approval letters from the town where the property is located and Dane County shall be submitted with your request. The Plan Commission may not consider an application within its extraterritorial jurisdiction without prior approval from the town and Dane County.

Please note that an individual email cannot exceed 20 MB. It is the responsibility of the applicant to present files in a manner that can be accepted. If dividing the submittal materials into multiple, smaller components (in order to meet the email size limit), please clearly indicate the total number of email components in the subject line (e.g.: “Land Use Application for 123 Elm Street - email 1 of 4”, “…2 of 4”, etc.) and label the email attachments accordingly (e.g.: “Site Plan 1 of 3”, “…2 of 3”, etc.). Applicants who are unable to provide the materials electronically should contact the Planning Division at Planning@cityofmadison.com or 608-266-4635 for assistance.

Make checks payable to “City Treasurer” and mail it to the following address: City of Madison Building Inspection; P.O. Box 2984; Madison, WI 53701-2984. Please include a cover page with the check which includes the project address, brief description of the project, and contact information.

• For Preliminary and/or Final Plats, an application fee of $250, plus $50 per lot or outlot contained on the plat.
• For Certified Survey Maps, an application fee of $250 plus $200 per lot and outlot contained on the CSM

The fee can be mailed in, dropped in the drop box at the Madison Municipal Building, or you can make an appointment at the Zoning counter to pay the fee. Checks should be made out to “City Treasurer.” If you mail in the check or use the drop box, please include a cover page which includes the project address, brief description of the project, and contact information. Zoning staff typically suggest using the drop box or making an appointment with the Zoning counter to pay the fee as they are the quickest.

• Drop Box Location: Madison Municipal Building, Doty Street Entrance. 215 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Madison, WI 53701-2984
• Mailing Address: City of Madison Building Inspection. P.O. Box 2984. Madison, WI 53701-2984
• Zoning Counter Appointment: Schedule an appointment at the Madison Municipal Building 215 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Madison, WI 53701-2984

If the subdivision or land division request is approved, the Planning Division will send the applicant or their agent a letter outlining the conditions of approval. In order for the City to be able to sign the survey instrument prior to recordation, the conditions in the letter will have to be met as verified by City staff.

Once the conditions of approval of the final plat or CSM have been verified by City agencies, the Secretary of the Plan Commission or their designee signs the instrument as necessary before recording proceeds. Afterwards, a certificate signed by the City Treasurer indicating that all due taxes and special assessments are paid is required prior to recording of any final plat or CSM. Finally, a certificate signed by the City Clerk stating the Common Council's approval of all final plats and any CSMs where a resolution was required is required.

Once all of the necessary City signatures have been affixed to the final plat or Certified Survey Map, the instrument may be recorded at the Register of Deeds Office.

Register of Deeds Office
City-County Building
210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Room 110
Madison, WI 53703