Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
Beginning June 8, 2020 the Building Inspection plan review and zoning review counters will be open to the public by appointment only.
For information about scheduling an appointment and other Building Inspection services please see the Building Inspection Coronavirus (COVID-19) page.
View all impacts to City service on the City's COVID-19 website.
Property Standards & Conditions
On June 4, 2013, the Common Council passed a Madison General Ordinance 27.10. This section creates an abandoned residential property registration program. It also regulates the upkeep of these properties. This section aims to reduce blight and to maintain property values.
The Minimum Housing and Property Maintenance Code outlines the basic standard for housing.
Some of the items the Property Maintenance Inspectors handle include:
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Erosion problems and graffiti
Housing inspectors also handle building upkeep issues, such as:
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Peeling paint
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Unkept porches
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Siding, chimneys and roofs
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Broken windows and damaged doors
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Plumbing and electrical violations
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Inadequate heat
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Broken locks on doors and windows
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Holes in walls
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Unkept floor coverings
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Missing and broken smoke alarms.
Want to learn more? Download the Exterior Property Enforcement Guide (PDF)
Search BI services

Tenants may be able to reduce their rent if a landlord hasn't corrected certain housing code violations.
Rent Abatement procedure »

By when should sidewalks be cleared? Stay informed via email updates, Facebook or Twitter.
Sidewalk clearing rules »

Learn about the Concealed Carry Law & what public / private spaces the law affects.
FAQs, signage & more »
A-Z Services
- A
- Additions to a Home - One & Two Family Residential
- Attic - alterations or conversions
- B
- Basement - alterations or conversions
- Bathroom - alterations
- Beekeeping
- C
- Central Air Conditioner - install
- Chickens (Raising)
- D
- Deck - build
- Demolition of Structures
- Development Services Center
- Door Replacement
- Dwelling Units, Change Number of - 1 & 2 Family Residential
- Dwelling Units, Change Number of - Other Residential
- E
- Electrical Work, All
- Exterior Building & Property Complaints
- F
- Fence - install or replace
- Furnace - install
- G
- Garage - build or replace
- Garage - demolish
- Graffiti Enforcement
- H
- Home Heating and Cold Weather Safety
- Hot Tub, Whirlpool, Spa - install
- Hourly Living Wage
- House (1 & 2 Family) - New Construction
- Housing Complaint
- I
- Interior Property Complaints
- J There are no listings.
- K
- Kitchen - alterations
- L There are no listings.
- M
- Multi-Family Residential - New Construction
- N
- Non-Residential - New Construction
- O
- Occupancy Standards
- P
- Parking Lot
- Plumbing
- Q There are no listings.
- R
- Rent Abatement
- Rental Property Emergency Contact
- Roofing - Reroof your house or garage
- S
- Screened Porch
- Security Deposits and Rent Credits
- Shed - build or replace
- Shed - demolish
- Siding - replace on house or garage
- Signs & Street Graphics
- Snow Enforcement
- Snow Sidewalk Clearing
- Solar Energy System - install
- Street Occupancy
- Swimming Pool
- T
- Tavern Capacities
- U There are no listings.
- V There are no listings.
- W
- Water Heater - install
- Water Softener - install
- Weights & Measures, New Business
- Windows & Frames - replace
- Wisconsin DFI Interest Rates
- X There are no listings.
- Y There are no listings.
- Z There are no listings.
Translation Services
For interpreter, translator, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations, please call the Building Inspection Division at (608) 266-4551.
Español: Si necesita interprete, traductor, materiales en diferentes formatos, u otro tipo de ayuda para acceder a estos formularios, por favor llame al (608) 266-4551.
Hmoob: Yog tias koj xav tau ib tug neeg txhais lus, txhais ntawv, los sis xav tau cov ntaub ntawv pab kom paub txog cov lus qhia no, thov hu rau Chaw Haujlwm Koog Soj Ntsuam Tsev (Building Inspection Division) (608) 266-4551.
Report: Abandoned Bicycle
Report: Abandoned Vehicle on Private Property
Report: Consumer Complaint
Report: Exterior Housing
Report: Graffiti
Report: Interior Housing
Report: Recycle Collection
Report: Refuse Collection
Report: Refuse & Recycling Carts
Report: Sidewalk Concern
Report: Sign Violation
Report: Snow Removal
Report: Tree Concerns
Report: Weeds & Overgrown Vegetation
Report: General requests