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:

Annexing / Attaching Land
Conditional Uses
Minor Alterations
Condominium Creation / Conversion / Amendment
Demolition Permits
Existing Specific Implimentation Plan Alterations
Landmarks & Construction in Historic Districts
Rezonings (i.e. Zoning Map Amendments)
Subdividing Land
Urban Design Approvals
Zoning Variances
Extraterritorial Review

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)

Last Updated: 11/21/2019

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

Land Use Application - For all Conditional Use, Demolition Permit, and Rezoning request submittals
Land Use Application Checklist & Supplemental Submital Requirements
Subdivision Application - For all 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 all Land Use, Subdivision, and Urban Design Commission Applications
Landmarks Commission

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

The Legislative Information Center (Legistar) - The City's public record where you can find info about legislation, agendas or meeting minutes for Committees & Commissions, submitted files related to development projects, etc.
Development Review Standards - Guide containing excerpts from the Zoning Code (MGO, Section 28) related to Zoning Map Amendments (i.e. Rezonings), Zoning Text Amendments, Conditional Uses, Demolitions, Zoning Variances, Planned Development Districts (PDs), and Lakefront Development.
Guide to Participating in the Development Process (Note: Guide written in 2005)
Overview of Commission and Common Council Involvement in Development Decisions - A quick guide to who makes the Final Action versus gives an Advisory Recommendation for the various development decisions.
Development Assistance Team (DAT) - A weekly meeting of representatives from the various city agencies involved in the Development Review process to give site plan-related feedback about development projects.

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