City of Madison, WI Permits

Building, zoning, and trade permit types administered by Madison

How permitting works in Madison

Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (SPS 320–325) applies statewide to 1- & 2-family dwellings; municipalities (or their contracted UDC inspectors) administer it locally. Commercial buildings follow SPS 361–366 with DSPS or delegated plan review. Zoning, fences, signs, and right-of-way work are regulated by local ordinance; shoreland/floodplain standards flow from NR 115/116 via county and municipal ordinances.

Wisconsin statewide code authority

Building Inspection

Building Permit / Plan Review Application

Verified official form

Field set mirrors the City of Madison Building Inspection application/data sheet. Madison issues most 1- & 2-family permits from department data sheets and commercial permits from the Plan Approval Application; verify against the current municipal form and confirm the fee with Building Inspection (608-266-4551) before submitting. Plan sets and supporting documents are attached separately.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Electrical Data Sheet / Permit Application

Verified official form

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

HVAC / Mechanical Data Sheet / Permit Application

Verified official form

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Plumbing Data Sheet / Plan Approval Application

Verified official form

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Deck Permit Application

Verified official form

A building permit is required for most decks; a zoning check for setbacks is part of the review. Field set mirrors the City of Madison Building Inspection application/data sheet. Madison issues most 1- & 2-family permits from department data sheets and commercial permits from the Plan Approval Application; verify against the current municipal form and confirm the fee with Building Inspection (608-266-4551) before submitting. Plan sets and supporting documents are attached separately.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Fence Zoning Review / Permit Application

Verified official form

Madison does not require a building permit for many fences, but fences are subject to zoning height/location rules and a zoning review; verify with Zoning (608-266-4551 ext. 3) whether a permit is required for your fence. Field set mirrors the City of Madison Building Inspection application/data sheet. Madison issues most 1- & 2-family permits from department data sheets and commercial permits from the Plan Approval Application; verify against the current municipal form and confirm the fee with Building Inspection (608-266-4551) before submitting. Plan sets and supporting documents are attached separately.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Swimming Pool Permit Application

Verified official form

Pools must meet zoning setbacks (min. 3 ft from structures and rear/side lot lines) and enclosure/access-control rules; a zoning review of the site plan is recommended before applying. Field set mirrors the City of Madison Building Inspection application/data sheet. Madison issues most 1- & 2-family permits from department data sheets and commercial permits from the Plan Approval Application; verify against the current municipal form and confirm the fee with Building Inspection (608-266-4551) before submitting. Plan sets and supporting documents are attached separately.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Sign Permit Application

Verified official form

You may apply only if you are a licensed sign contractor, the property owner, or a tenant with owner permission. A scaled drawing showing sign dimensions, copy, and placement is attached separately. Field set mirrors the City of Madison application; verify against the current municipal form and confirm the current fee with the Engineering Division (608-266-4751) before submitting.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Planning

Conditional Use Application

Verified official form

Discretionary land-use request reviewed at a public meeting/hearing (with mailed notice to properties within 200 ft and newspaper publication). Most Madison land-use requests are filed on the consolidated Land Use Application; the fee is listed on page 6 of that application. Field set mirrors the City of Madison application; verify against the current municipal form and confirm the current fee with the Planning Division (zoning@cityofmadison.com) before submitting. Required exhibits (site plan, elevations, survey, narrative) are attached separately.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Rezoning (Zoning Map Amendment) Application

Verified official form

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Zoning Variance Application

Verified official form

Heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), which makes the final decision. Applicants should meet with Zoning staff before submitting; two copies of present/proposed elevations, floor plan, and site plan are required (lakefront lots require a surveyed site plan). Discretionary land-use request reviewed at a public meeting/hearing (with mailed notice to properties within 200 ft and newspaper publication). Most Madison land-use requests are filed on the consolidated Land Use Application; the fee is listed on page 6 of that application. Field set mirrors the City of Madison application; verify against the current municipal form and confirm the current fee with the Planning Division (zoning@cityofmadison.com) before submitting. Required exhibits (site plan, elevations, survey, narrative) are attached separately.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Building Code Variance Application

Verified official form

A variance from a building (not zoning) code provision, distinct from a zoning variance. Discretionary land-use request reviewed at a public meeting/hearing (with mailed notice to properties within 200 ft and newspaper publication). Most Madison land-use requests are filed on the consolidated Land Use Application; the fee is listed on page 6 of that application. Field set mirrors the City of Madison application; verify against the current municipal form and confirm the current fee with the Planning Division (zoning@cityofmadison.com) before submitting. Required exhibits (site plan, elevations, survey, narrative) are attached separately.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Land Division (Subdivision / Certified Survey Map) Application

Verified official form

Covers Certified Survey Maps (CSMs), preliminary and final subdivision plats, reviewed by the Plan Commission. Discretionary land-use request reviewed at a public meeting/hearing (with mailed notice to properties within 200 ft and newspaper publication). Most Madison land-use requests are filed on the consolidated Land Use Application; the fee is listed on page 6 of that application. Field set mirrors the City of Madison application; verify against the current municipal form and confirm the current fee with the Planning Division (zoning@cityofmadison.com) before submitting. Required exhibits (site plan, elevations, survey, narrative) are attached separately.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Certificate of Appropriateness (Landmarks / Historic District)

Verified official form

Required for exterior work on a designated Madison landmark or property in a historic district, reviewed by the Landmarks Commission. Discretionary land-use request reviewed at a public meeting/hearing (with mailed notice to properties within 200 ft and newspaper publication). Most Madison land-use requests are filed on the consolidated Land Use Application; the fee is listed on page 6 of that application. Field set mirrors the City of Madison application; verify against the current municipal form and confirm the current fee with the Planning Division (zoning@cityofmadison.com) before submitting. Required exhibits (site plan, elevations, survey, narrative) are attached separately.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Urban Design Approval Application

Verified official form

Projects in an Urban Design District, Planned Development, or otherwise requiring Urban Design Commission (UDC) review. Discretionary land-use request reviewed at a public meeting/hearing (with mailed notice to properties within 200 ft and newspaper publication). Most Madison land-use requests are filed on the consolidated Land Use Application; the fee is listed on page 6 of that application. Field set mirrors the City of Madison application; verify against the current municipal form and confirm the current fee with the Planning Division (zoning@cityofmadison.com) before submitting. Required exhibits (site plan, elevations, survey, narrative) are attached separately.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Demolition Permit Application

Verified official form

Madison demolition requires notice and Plan Commission review may apply; utility disconnection and salvage/recycling requirements apply. Discretionary land-use request reviewed at a public meeting/hearing (with mailed notice to properties within 200 ft and newspaper publication). Most Madison land-use requests are filed on the consolidated Land Use Application; the fee is listed on page 6 of that application. Field set mirrors the City of Madison application; verify against the current municipal form and confirm the current fee with the Planning Division (zoning@cityofmadison.com) before submitting. Required exhibits (site plan, elevations, survey, narrative) are attached separately.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Engineering

Erosion Control Permit Application

Verified official form

Required for land-disturbing activity; issued by the Engineering Division. Field set mirrors the City of Madison application; verify against the current municipal form and confirm the current fee with the Engineering Division (608-266-4751) before submitting.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Excavate in Right-of-Way Permit Application

Verified official form

Excavation/opening in a city street, terrace, or right-of-way (utility hook-up or repair), issued by the Engineering Division. Field set mirrors the City of Madison application; verify against the current municipal form and confirm the current fee with the Engineering Division (608-266-4751) before submitting.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Street Terrace Alteration (Sidewalk / Terrace / Drive Apron) Permit

Verified official form

For work in the terrace / right-of-way: a new or modified drive apron/curb cut, sidewalk, or terrace alteration, issued by the Engineering Division. Field set mirrors the City of Madison application; verify against the current municipal form and confirm the current fee with the Engineering Division (608-266-4751) before submitting.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

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