Apartment buildings along rail ways
Development Services Center
  1. Building Inspection Counter Appointments

    Building Inspection plan review and zoning review counters will be open to the public by appointment only.

Urban Design Approvals

  1. Email Scam (Phishing Attempt)

    The City is aware of fraudulent emails requesting payments via wire transfer for various applications to the city (land use requests, subdivisions, landmarks, etc.). These emails appear to come from the Planning Division Director, or other staff in the Planning Division, at the City of Madison.

    The City of Madison will always send emails from "@cityofmadison.com". If you get an email from any other domain, it is fraudulent. If you have any questions about the legitimacy of a request for payment, or the status of an application's approval, please directly contact the staff person in the City Agency that you have been working with to verify.

We are currently working to update the information on this page as well as the corresponding application form, in the meantime, please make sure to review the overview of the revised submittal process and requirements for UDC Applications noted on the Planning Division’s Development webpage.

The City of Madison is a community of unique natural and architectural beauty. To ensure that buildings and landscaping enhance this beauty, the City creates special districts in which it can guide the design and appearance of the structures and land (City Ordinance Sec. 33.24).

To determine if your property is in an Urban Design District or to find out your property’s zoning designation, please call the Zoning staff at 608-266-4551 ext. 3. If you want to develop property within an Urban Design District, call Kevin Firchow, Principal Planner, at 608-267-1150 to discuss your development proposal and have a Project Manager assigned.

Process Overview

  1. Meet with Urban Design Commission

    Early in the planning of your project you must meet with the Urban Design Commission (UDC) staff to discuss the project and establish a timetable for the approval process. You will also want to contact the district alderperson to discuss your proposal and learn of any neighborhood concerns. Projects involving minor alterations may qualify to be administratively approved. Otherwise, prepare your plans and follow the steps to obtain your building permit.

    Where to Go

    215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd  Suite 017
    Madison, WI 53703

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

  2. Submit Application

    Submit your application to the Urban Design Commission.

  3. Notices and Public Hearing

    After you submit your application for a project in an Urban Design District, the Urban Design Commission schedules a public hearing. This hearing is held within thirty (30) days of the date you file your application. City staff sends a notice of the hearing to you, the alderperson and owners of properties within one hundred (100) feet of the boundaries of the proposed project. The notice is sent at least seven (7) days before the date of the public hearing.

  4. Urban Design Commission Initial and Final Approval

    The Urban Design Commission (UDC) process includes initial and final approval phases. The initial approval phase considers general building and site design aspects. Final approval considers the details of the project such as building materials, colors and landscape plans. An informational presentation is an option the applicant may request as a way of receiving informal feedback from the UDC. At the UDC meeting you present your plans and answer any questions they may have.

    You or the alderperson for the district may appeal an Urban Design Commission decision to the Plan Commission. Permits are not issued until the Plan Commission acts on their appeal.

    If your plan is approved you may proceed with applying for any other permits you need to complete your project.

Related Forms & Handouts

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Land Development