Urban Design Code Update Project

The City has various review processes for the development of private property. For some projects, design review may be required by the Urban Design Commission (UDC). Design review by the UDC is based on project type and/or location, including if a property is in an Urban Design District (UDD). There are currently eight (8) UDDs in the City of Madison that are generally located along major roads.

The primary ordinance guiding design review is Chapter 33.24. It is also referred to as the Urban Design Code. The Code has not been fully updated since it was adopted in the 1970s although it has been amended many times over the years. This has led to uncertainty around the City’s design goals and different regulations and requirements in each UDD depending on when the UDD was created. This means that some UDDs have more rules than others and that they are also written and organized differently. All of which makes it hard for staff and stakeholders to understand how to use the Code. In addition, the Code conflicts with some of the City's other adopted codes, plans and policies.

Project Goals

The project began in 2022. As part of the early project discussions, staff, the UDC, and participants in the development review processes worked to outline the project goals:

1. Creating clarity, consistency, transparency and flexibility in the design review process and the City’s urban design goals;
2. Aligning the Urban Design Code with other City adopted codes, plans, and policies and removing redundancies. This includes the Zoning Code and Sign Code, and Complete Green Streets, Transit Oriented Development Overlay, Housing Forward Agenda;
3. Re-evaluating the UDD boundaries to identify areas of interest; and
4. Examining the design guidelines and requirements in each UDD to better achieve the City’s design goals and industry best practices.

Project Phase 1 - The Diagnosis

As part of this project phase, staff will be working collaboratively with City agencies, the community, stakeholder groups, and property owners to explore and study:

1. What elements of design should be regulated? Identify design principles that will be used in future updates to guidelines and requirements.
2. Where should design be regulated in the city? Identify new areas of interest where design principles should apply.        
3. How should design be regulated? Identify where design requirements should be in the Code and how they should be regulated.

The Phase 1 scope of work includes:

1. Identifying key design principles that will guide updates to the existing design guidelines and principles.
2. Identifying key areas of interest where design review should occur; and
3. Identifying ways for the City to improve its urban design review processes.

The Phase 1 scope of work does not include drafting new ordinance language.

From mid-October to mid-December, Planning Division staff will be conducting public outreach. To participate in the discussion you can leave comments on the interactive map, complete a My Madison Story, take the survey or reach out to staff.

Phase 2 – Exploring Remedies (more information to come Winter/Spring 2026)