Development
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.
The City helps implement our plans through the review of development proposals. There are different development processes based on the type of request.
The City’s Zoning Ordinance establishes permitted uses and conditional uses. It also establishes design and development standards such as height and density. Wisconsin state law says that zoning has to be consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Learn more about this on the City’s Comprehensive Plan page.
A permitted use does not need public review by the City’s boards or Common Council. The property owner, developer or builder submits plans to the City. City agencies review the plans to make sure they follow City codes and ordinances. Then the City can issue the permits that are needed to open a new business or construct a new building. Visit the City’s Development Services Center to see what permits a project may need.
Other development proposals need approvals by the Common Council and/or City boards, including:
The Planning Division coordinates the review of the following types of development proposals. The City's codes and ordinances include approval standards for each type of proposal. City staff review the proposals to help the City's boards decide if it meets those standards. City staff also review the proposals to make sure they follow City codes and ordinances. Click the link for more information.
- Annexing / Attaching Land
- Conditional Uses
- Minor Alterations
- Condominium Creation / Conversion / Amendment
- Demolition Permits
- Existing Specific Implementation Plan Alterations
- Landmarks & Construction in Historic Districts
- Rezonings (i.e. Zoning Map Amendments)
- Subdividing Land
- Urban Design Approvals
- Zoning Variances
- Extraterritorial Review
Visit the Current Development Proposals page to see a list of the current projects. This means Plan Commission and/or Common Council will review the project soon, or it was reviewed but permits have not been issued.
To see a list of projects dating back to 2013, please visit the appropriate link below:
- Past Development Proposals (Aug 2015 to Present)
- Past Development Proposals (May 2013 to Early August 2015)
Zoning Changes Notification
You can request to be notified of any proposed zoning map or text amendment(s) that may affect the allowable use of your property. Email the Planning Division at planning@cityofmadison.com. Or mail the request to: City of Madison Planning Division, Attn: Zoning Code Changes Notification, P.O. Box 2985, Madison, WI 53701-2985.
Requests should include: full name, whether you want to be notified via email or mail (US Postal Service), and your email address or mailing address.
Development Resources
Development Services Center - Site with information related to the City's Development Review process including: Conditional Uses, Demolition Permits, Rezonings, Subdivisions, Annexation of Land, Zoning Variances, Landmarks & Construction in Historic Districts, and Urban Design Approvals.
Applications
- Land Use Application - For Conditional Use, Demolition Permit, and Rezoning requests
- Land Use Application Checklist & Supplemental Submittal Requirements
- Subdivision Application - For Preliminary & Final Subdivision Plats and Land Divisions/Certified Survey Maps (CSMs)
- Urban Design Commission Application
- Landmarks Commission Application
- Condominium Creation / Conversion / Amendment
Submittal and Meeting Schedules
- Plan Commission & Urban Design Commission - For Land Use, Subdivision, and Urban Design Commission Applications
- Landmarks Commission
Contact Us
Kevin Firchow - Principal Planner, Development Review, (608) 267-1150
Tim Parks - Planner, Development Review, (608) 261-9632
Chris Wells - Planner, Development Review, (608) 261-9135
Colin Punt - Planner, Development Review, (608) 243-0455
Lisa McNabola - Planner, Development Review, (608) 243-0554
Heather Bailey - Landmarks Commission Secretary, (608) 266-6552
Jessica Vaughn - Urban Design Commission Secretary, (608) 267-8740