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.
Zoning & Signs
What We Do
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The Zoning Code is one of the primary tools the City of Madison uses to regulate development. All existing and new development in the City must be consistent with the code's requirements. The code groups the city into different districts (or "zones"), each with their own development requirements. These requirements range from the types of development allowed on a property, to building setbacks from the street and adjacent properties, to the amount of parking required on a site.
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Development Review Bodies »
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Fencing »
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Land Use Design Review »
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Parking Lot /Site Plan »
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Raising Chickens & Beekeeping »
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Schedule a Counter Appointment »
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Short-Term Rentals »
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Signs »
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Temporary Outdoor Seating 2020 »
Search BI services
Contact
Zoning
- Land Divisions: (608) 266-4635
- Planning: (608) 266-4635
- Zoning: (608) 266-4551
Resources
Applications & Instructions (PDF)
- Address Guidelines
- Application for Urban Design Commission Review and Approval
- Bed and Breakfast Requirements
- Beekeeping & Chicken Instructions & Licenses
- Condominium Creation/Conversion/Amendment
- Fence Brochure
- Fire Apparatus Access and Fire Hydrant Worksheet
- Plat or Land Division - Certified Survey Map
- Variance Letter and Application
- Temporary Use Permit Application
- Tourist Rooming Houses
- Zoning Fees
Resources
Land Use Applications & Instructions
Resources
Parking Lot Approval Applications & Instructions
Resources
Signs Applications and Instructions
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.
Resources
Madison General Ordinances

Learn what your property is zoned for; view tax descriptions, sales, special assessments & more.
Go to Property Look-up »