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City of Madison DPCED Planning Development

Development

Madison 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 the permitted land uses, as well as design and development standards such as height and density. Wisconsin state law requires that zoning must be consistent with adopted plans. Many development proposals are permitted under the Zoning Ordinance. These permitted uses do not require any type of public review. In such instances, the property owner, developer or builder submits plans to the City. If the proposal complies with all applicable codes and ordinances, it may be approved administratively and construction may begin following the issuance of building permits.

Other new developments in the City of Madison require approvals by City boards (i.e. Plan Commission, Urban Design Commission, Landmarks Commission) and/or the Common Council. Such proposals may include subdivisions, rezonings, conditional uses, and/or demolitions. Development proposals of this nature are reviewed for their consistency with adopted plans and are reviewed by City agencies for conformance with applicable requirements and guidelines. To determine what level of permitting and reviews a project needs, visit the City of Madison's Development Services Center. Of note, the following is the list of project types (with links to follow for more information) that the Planning Division coordinates the review of:

 

To view projects currently under review and in control of the Plan Commission, visit the Current Development Proposals page.

(Note: A redesigned Current Development Proposals page is currently under development)

 

To view the previously reviewed projects dating back to 2013, please visit the appropriate link below:

(Note: A redesigned Past Development Proposals page is currently under development)

Development
Student housing building under construction near the UW Campus

 

Last Updated: 10/07/2019

Development

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

 

SUBMITTAL AND MEETING SCHEDULES

 

MADISON GENERAL ORDINANCE SECTIONS

  • Chapter 16 - General Planning - Ordinance outlining the Plan Commission's composition, powers and duties; Land Subdivision Regulations (including Extraterritorial reviews); Plats & Certified Surveys (CSMs); and Condominium Instrument reviews.
  • Chapter 28 - The Zoning Code - Specifies how and for what purpose each parcel of private real estate may be used. Includes the definitions of and associated regulations of the City's various land use districts; proceedures and approval standards associated with several types of land use development requests (Conditional Uses, Demolitions, Rezonings, etc.), etc.
  • Chapter 31 - The Sign Ordinance - Ordinance outlining the City's regulation of the various signs displayed within the city limits.
  • Section 33.19 - The Landmarks Commission - Ordinance outlining the Commission's composition, powers and duties.
  • Section 33.24 - The Urban Design Commission - Ordinance outlining the Commission's composition, powers and duties.

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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

Sydney Prusak - Planner, Development Review, 608-243-0554

Heather Bailey - Landmarks Commission Secretary, 608-266-6552

Janine Glaeser - Urban Design Commission Secretary, 608-267-8740

 

Planning

Heather Stouder, Director
Madison Municipal Building, Suite 017 (Lower Level)
215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Madison, WI 53703
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm

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