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City of Madison

Latest Housing Forward proposals adjust TOD requirements, allow new housing type

posted 

For Immediate Release
October 28, 2025

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Throughout 2025, Mayor Satya-Rhodes Conway and the Common Council have worked extensively with City staff on ways to make it easier to create more homes of all types as part of the Housing Forward initiative.  

The latest measures being introduced to the Common Council on October 28 focus on creating a new option for the city’s neighborhoods and making more efficient use of Madison’s most-traveled corridors. 

The first proposal will make it easier to create Cottage Courts, a collection of up to eight detached homes gathered around a shared central courtyard. These homes would have a footprint no bigger than 1,000 square feet and could be condominiums, contained on their own small lots, or on a single lot with a single owner. Cottage Courts would be allowed in nearly all of Madison’s residential zoning districts, except for some high-density residential zones. 

The second proposal makes adjustments to the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) zoning overlay district regarding some solely car-centric uses, like car washes or auto sales and rentals. Drive-throughs within the TOD would be allowed if they are incorporated into a building that is at least three stories tall and covers 60% of the lot. Additionally, this proposal would allow up to four units of housing on all residential lots within the TOD. 

This package also includes rezoning a handful of properties within the TOD so they are more consistent with already-adopted future land use recommendations for mixed use, including the potential for housing, at those sites. 

Madison needs more homes so every resident has the opportunity to live in the type of home that works best for their family.  We also know that people value access to transportation options when deciding where to live. This proposal addresses both needs. It allows more flexibility for ‘missing middle’ housing and encourages more new homes in places that are well-connected to transit.

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Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway

I’ve been interested in and enthused by the TOD zoning overlay concept since its approval in January 2023 and its importance to the West Area Plan that was approved last year. Important segments of the Overlay are in District 19. The proposed proactive rezoning is consistent with our objectives in the West Area Plan, and the requirement changes make common sense.

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District 19 Alder John Guequierre

A sense of community is important to us all. Cottage courts help people be more intentional about creating community with their home choices. I am excited to see this proposal introduced and look forward to seeing some more affordable, cottage communities in Madison.

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District 15 Ald. Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford

These proposals, along with others adopted this year, will help create more housing choices in Madison—welcoming new neighbors and building more diverse, vibrant communities. By adding more cottages, townhomes, and housing options near public transit, Madison can offer homes for people of all backgrounds and stages of life, making our city more inclusive and affordable for everyone.

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District 10 Ald. Yannette Figueroa Cole

Timeline and Public Meeting 

These proposals will be introduced during the October 28 Common Council meeting and will be referred to the November 18 Housing Policy Committee meeting and the December 1 Plan Commission meeting before being sent back to the Common Council for a final vote on December 9. 

A virtual community meeting on the proposals will be held on November 5. The meeting will include a presentation explaining the proposals and provide the opportunity for community members to ask questions and provide feedback to City staff. 

Register for Nov. 5 Meeting

As with previous Housing Forward packages introduced this year, a web page is available that further explains each of the proposals in detail. 

Latest Housing Forward Proposals 

Departments:
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