Outdoor Eating Areas

Refer to the Parking Lot/Site Plan Approval checklist. Fill out the address and contact information at the top of the page. Note whether the proposed outdoor eating area will be seasonal (active between April 15 and November 15 annually) or year-round.

Print and Fill Out Checklist

Seasonal/temporary outdoor eating areas are required to submit two site plans:

1. For when the temporary outdoor eating area is in use
2. For when the temporary outdoor eating area is removed

All site plans must be drawn to scale and be an accurate representation of the site.

Site plans must include:

• Scale (for example, 1 inch = 20 feet)
• Location of bicycle racks and number of spaces. If bicycle parking is displaced, it must be replaced in a suitable location
• Location, dimensions, number, and striping of automobile parking spaces
• Location, dimensions, number, and striping of accessible automobile parking spaces and access aisles. If parking spaces are provided and accessible parking spaces are displaced, they must be replaced in a suitable location
• Location of tables and number of chairs or seats per table
• Location of dumpster enclosure and dumpster
• Location of fence and gate
• Landscaping (if applicable)
• Impervious surface to pervious surface ratio (if applicable)

Create a fence details document that shows:

• Fence is at least 36 inches (3 feet) in height
• Bottom is no more than 6 inches from ground
• Materials used
• How fence will be constructed of a stable, rigid, wind-resistant, self-supporting framework

To make a payment, schedule an appointment with the Zoning Counter.

Schedule a Counter Appointment

There are several different ways to submit your application.

Online

Email Plans and associated documents to sprapplications@cityofmadison.com.

Please do not exceed 20 MB per file.

Checks, flash drives, and paper forms, and other documents that cannot be submitted digitally and are no larger than 11" x 17" may be placed in the Dropbox outside the Doty Street entrance to our building.

Dropboxes

Outdoors

Madison Municipal Building
215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Madison, WI 53703

Located outside the Doty St. entrance. Please label the envelope for Building Inspection to avoid delays.

Indoors

Madison Municipal Building
Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development
215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 017 (downstairs)
Madison, WI 53703

Open 7:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday

In-Person Appointment at Zoning Counter

Madison Municipal Building
Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development
215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 017 (downstairs)
Madison, WI 53703
Open by appointment only

Make an appointment

Mail

Building Inspection – Zoning

P.O. Box 2984

Madison, WI 53701

After receiving your application materials and fees, a zoning staff person will review your application to see if it’s complete. If it’s not complete, the staff person will explain what other items you need to submit. If it is complete, a zoning staff person will accept the application for review.

The failure to include the required fee is the most commonly overlooked requirement and will result in your application being delayed until the fees are paid.

When determined complete and all fees are paid, the project will be set up for Site Plan Review. A link will be emailed to the project contact person, who is responsible for tracking the status of the agency reviews.

The Site Plan Review Status is a public-facing website where you can track the progress of the city agencies’ reviews and status of projects.

A direct link to your project has been sent to your project contact.  If an agency requests additional information, submit the materials directly to that agency. If a plan is rejected by an agency, revised plans will need to be resubmitted for a new review by all agencies, and a resubmittal fee is required.

Usually, the Site Plan Review process takes about 14 or more days, depending on project complexity and agency requirements. It can take longer if an agency requests additional information or if the plans require revision and resubmittal. You will receive an email notification when the plans have been approved. You may also track the status on the Site Plan Review Status website.

Your project is deemed 'Completed' when all reviews are listed as approved and all agencies are highlighted in the color green.

Final approved plan sets are available typically 2–4 weeks after completion of the Site Plan Review process. A digital copy may be requested from the Zoning office.

Once Site Plan Review is completed, you may obtain building permits to commence work or proceed with approved work if permits are not required.