Building Inspection

The Building Inspection Division (BI) enforces City and State Building Codes through: inspection of all new buildings and all remodeling of and additions to existing private and public buildings; inspection of existing buildings; inspection of equipment and products sold within the City to ensure that packaging, weighing, and measuring are in compliance with Federal, State, and local laws; review and approval of building certificates of occupancy and zoning certificates. Code enforcement officers ensure that living units conform to the City's housing codes. In addition, BI reviews and approves all construction plans, issues all building permits and responds to code complaints.

Directory

Matt Tucker, Director

608-266-4849

Administration and management of Division policies and procedures, programs and operations.

Plan Review & Inspection Service and Weights & Measures

Kyle Bunnow, Plan Review & Inspection Supervisor 

608-266-6503

Plan Review & Inspection

binspection@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4551 ext. 1 for inspections or 608-266-4551 ext. 2 for plan review and permitting

• Steve Rewey, Code Enforcement Officer 
• Asaph Lehman, Code Enforcement Officer 
• Will Henry, Code Enforcement Officer 
• Stephen Sundstrom, Code Enforcement Officer 
• James Schwab, Electrical/Heating Inspector
• Gerry Noel, Electrical/Heating Inspector
• Thane Sutter, Electrical/Heating Inspector
• Leigh Weaver, Electrical/Heating Inspector
• Terry Smith, Plumbing/Heating Inspector
• Sean Sutter, Plumbing/Heating Inspector
• Paul Kleinsteiber, Plumbing/Heating Inspector
• Alan Harper, Plan Review Specialist 
• Shannon Davis, Plan Review Specialist 
• Katie Mooney, Plan Review Specialist 
• Jordan Poole, Plan Review and Inspector 

All new buildings, (e.g., residential, commercial buildings and building sites) are inspected for compliance with numerous building codes in each of the three construction phases: site approval, plan approval, construction. The section reviews all building plans for new work. At inspection and plan review, staff ensure that all construction complies with the building codes. Staff meet with the building owner or contractor, when necessary, to explain requirements. Inspection resolves code violations and building complaints by issuing correction notices to the owner or contractor. In addition, provides commercial plan review, and building and heating inspections to City of Madison customers.

All matters relating to new construction mechanical inspection and the assignment of mechanical inspectors and code interpretation. Staff support for the Building Board of Appeals.

This section enforces the heating, ventilating, electrical and plumbing permit applications and plans for new work. Staff conduct reviews to ensure that all construction complies with code by meeting with the building owner or contractor when necessary. Inspections are also made on those underground utilities, which lie within private property lines to ensure that they are properly installed. All mechanical system installations are inspected before being covered. Inspectors determine whether pipe, cable and duct size, and type of materials meet code. Staff conduct inspections for replacement work in electric, heating and plumbing as well.

The inspectors also interpret the code and aid in problem solving and construction inquiries by assisting homeowners and contractors; they solve existing construction and maintenance problems by verifying that construction is performed according to mechanical codes. The inspectors provide contractor training sessions.

Weights & Measures

weightsandmeasures@cityofmadison.com, 608-246-4515

• VACANT, Weights and Measures Inspector 
• Chris Tourdot, Weights and Measures Inspector, City Sealer

The Weights and Measures Inspector works to ensure accurate metering of all scales and measures and scanners used by Madison's merchants by conducting periodic inspections of these devices. Inspectors also ensure accurate metering of taxi and fuel oil delivery vehicles operating in the City by annually testing meters. When errors are found, written correction orders are issued. Also periodic inspection of scales, measuring devices, and package weights in retail stores are conducted routinely and in the City of Madison in order to ensure that the packaging, weighing and measuring of solid and liquid products comply with the requirements of the National Bureau of Standards, the State of Wisconsin Standards of Weights and Measurements and Chapter 22 of the Madison General Ordinances.

Housing Inspection & Property Maintenance

Jose Maria Donoso, Housing Inspection Supervisor

608-266-4216

Supervision of code enforcement in existing buildings and grounds.

Housing Inspection Staff

birap@cityofmadisoncom, 608-266-4551 ext. 4

• Bob Ales, Code Enforcement Officer 
• David Wise, Code Enforcement Officer 
• Scott Shearer, Code Enforcement Officer 
• Karime Grajales-Patton, Code Enforcement Officer 
• Jake Medearis, Code Enforcement Officer 
• Joe Sponem, Code Enforcement Officer 
• Heidi Blanc-Blum, Code Enforcement Officer 
• Abbie Kurtz, Property Code Inspector 
• VACANT, Property Code Inspector
• Joel Green, Property Code Inspector, Erosion Control

This section issues written notices of housing code violations to building owners of existing structures. The notices establish a deadline for repairs or corrections. The premises are reinspected after the deadline has expired to verify that the condition has been corrected. 

Specific functions include administering codes consistent with laws and court interpretations so as to gain compliance; enforcing codes on a fair and equal basis; findings ways to assist owners, managers, maintenance people, and contractors in completing work in accordance with codes. Property Maintenance Inspectors respond to all environmental (i.e., grass, snow, trash, graffiti removal) complaints in the City of Madison.

Zoning and Signs 

Katie Bannon, Zoning Administrator

608-266-4569

All matters relating to zoning and sign enforcement. Staff support for Zoning Board of Appeals. Counsel applicants on Plan Commission applications and zoning appeals and problems. Zoning code interpretation.

Zoning Staff

zoning@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4551 ext. 3

• Jenny Kirchgatter, Assistant Zoning Administrator
• Jacob Moskowitz, Assistant Zoning Administrator
• Chrissy Thiele, Zoning Code Enforcement Officer 
• Donna Magdalina, Zoning and Sign Code Specialist 
• Esmeralda Tovar, Zoning and Sign Code Specialist 
• William Hutt, Zoning and Sign Code Specialist 
• Tongchi Yang, Zoning and Sign Code Specialist 

This section reviews changes to buildings and sites for compliance with the zoning code (Chapters 28 and 21 of Madison General Ordinance) through building permit review and site plan review (zoning certificates). The City of Madison is divided into different districts, or zones. Each district has its own development requirements. Examples of these requirements are: 

• How a property or tenant space can be used
• Minimum or maximum building setbacks from the property lines
• Amount of bike parking required on site
• Floodplain and floodway regulations
• Short-term rental (tourist rooming house) regulations

The zoning code is one of the main tools the City uses to regulate development. All existing and new development must be consistent with the code requirements. 

The sign code (Chapter 31) regulates new and existing signs throughout the City. Most signs require sign permits, which are reviewed by this section.

Zoning staff answers questions about the zoning and sign codes and related processes. Staff also enforces zoning and sign code requirements and responds to complaints. 

Lastly, the section makes recommendations on any proposed changes to the zoning and sign codes.

Administrative Support

Amanda Hoadley, Administrative Supervisor

608-266-9017

Supervises administrative staff, updates the Building Inspection website, provides support for the Housing Policy Committee; also manages the Rental Property Emergency Contact program, special assessment fees, and reinspection invoices.

Administrative Staff

binspection@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4551 ext. 1

• Lisa Antony, Information Clerk
• Robin Kurzer, Information Clerk
• Gabriela Arteaga, Administrative Clerk 
• Cary Olson, Administrative Clerk 
• Ethan Burrus, Administrative Clerk 
• Genevieve Parmentier, Administrative Clerk 

Administrative staff are responsible for setting Building Inspection up for success. They answer the phones and manage multiple email inboxes. Administrative staff support all other services. Staff are also in charge of document management, issuing online permits, inputting complaints, scheduling inspections, issuing certificates of occupancy, etc.