Skip to main content
City of Madison
  • Accounts
    • All Accounts
    • My Account
    • ePayments
    • Water Customer Care
    • Employment
    • Licenses & Permits
  • Services
  • Jobs
  • Agencies
    • All Agencies
    • Assessor's Office
    • Attorney's Office
    • Building Inspection
    • Civil Rights
    • Clerk's Office
    • Common Council
    • Community Development
    • Development Services Center
    • Economic Development
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • Engineering
    • Finance
    • Fire
    • Fleet Service
    • Golf
    • Goodman Pool
    • Housing Authority
    • Human Resources
    • Information Technology
    • Madison City Channel
    • Madison Public Library
    • Madison Senior Center
    • Mayor's Office
    • Metro Transit
    • Monona Terrace
    • Municipal Court
    • Office of Business Resources
    • Office of Real Estate Services
    • Olbrich Botanical Gardens
    • Parking Utility
    • Parks
    • Planning
    • Planning, Community & Economic Development
    • Police
    • Public Health Madison & Dane County
    • Public Works
    • Streets & Recycling
    • Traffic Engineering
    • Transportation
    • Treasurer's Office
    • Warner Park Community Recreation Center
    • Water Utility
  • Data
  • Contact
    • Mayor
    • City Council
    • City Staff & Agencies

Search form

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  • City Services
  • Public Health
  • Get Alerts
  • Español
  • Hmoob
City of Madison logo, copyright City of Madison

Development Services Center

  • Home
  • 1 & 2 Family Residential
  • Other Residential
  • Non-Residential
  • Land Development
  • Permits
  • Contact
  1. City of Madison
  2. Development Services Center
  3. Land Development
  4. Private Property
  5. Conditional Use
Building Inspection Counter Appointments

Building Inspection plan review and zoning review counters will be open to the public by appointment only.

Conditional Use

×

Error message

  • Warning: include_once(D:\Inetpub\wwwro): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in include_once() (line 27 of D:\Inetpub\wwwroot\includes\file.phar.inc).
  • Warning: include_once(): Failed opening 'D:\Inetpub\wwwroot/misc/typo3/phar-stream-wrapper/src/Phar/Reader.php' for inclusion (include_path='.;C:\php\pear') in include_once() (line 27 of D:\Inetpub\wwwroot\includes\file.phar.inc).

Each zoning district, as defined in Madison’s Zoning Code, has two types of uses. The first type of use is a permitted use. These do not require additional review other than the zoning review for issuance of a building permit. The second type of use is a conditional use. These are uses not permitted outright but may be allowed if certain standards and conditions are met and the Plan Commission grants approval.

Conditional uses assure you and your neighbors that uses of adjacent properties will be as compatible as possible with property uses established in your neighborhood (Madison General Ordinance 28.182).

Process Overview

  1. Discuss with City Zoning & Planning

    Applicants for any project must first meet with Zoning and Planning staff before submitting their application. (Note: Given that the Planning and Zoning offices are currently closed to the public and many staff are working remotely due to COVID-19, these meetings are being done virtually, via videoconference.) Please call Planning at (608) 266-4635 and Zoning (608) 266-4551 to schedule an appointment to discuss your project.

    Find out the zoning for your property.

  2. Notify Alder, Neighborhood Association, and Business Association

    The applicant is strongly encouraged to discuss their proposal with the district alder, neighborhood association, and nearby property owners prior to submitting their application.

    Regardless, the applicant or their agent is required to notify - via e-mail or US Mail - any of the following parties (who serve the subject site(s)), at least 30 days prior to filing their application. 

    1. The alderperson (click here for a map of the aldermanic districts),
    2. Any City-registered neighborhood association(s), and
    3. Any City-listed business association(s). 

    Please note: 

    • This notice must clearly state that the applicant is “intending to file an application for a conditional use" (and demolition permit, zoning map amendment, etc., if applicable), it must state the date the applicant intends to submit (for a list of submital dates, please refer to the Development Review Schedule), and specify the project address. If this notice requirement is not met, an application will not be accepted. Notices may also include other information such as contact information, timelines, or descriptions of the proposal.
    • The alderperson and the Director of Planning & Community & Economic Development may waive or reduce the 30-day notification requirement. A copy of the pre-application notification letters or any correspondence granting a waiver or reduction of the 30 days is required to be submitted as part of the application materials.
  3. Submit Application

    When

    Review the current Development Review Schedule for the Urban Design Commission (UDC) and Plan Commission. The two columns on the left contain the submittal dates, which vary depending on the request(s). The middle three columns are the corresponding Urban Design Commission, Plan Commission, and Common Council meetings. (Read across the row from the submittal date). Deadlines occur on designated Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted. 

    Where to Go

    Online (Given that the Planning and Zoning offices are currently closed to the public and many staff are working remotely due to COVID-19, Staff are currently only accepting digital (PDF) submittals - not paper)

    What to Include
    • PDF Copies of the following, emailed to PCapplications@cityofmadison.com:
      • NOTE: The submittal requirements noted below take prescedent over those noted in the existing application forms
      • The notification to the district alderperson, and the neighborhood association(s), business association(s), if applicable. If a waiver from or reduction of the 30 days has been granted by the alder, please also include a copy of the correspondence.
      • The completed Land Use Application Form (check the box for “Conditional Use”)
      • The letter of intent (this is a brief overview of the proposal. It should also address potential public concerns)
      • Legible and scaled plans (typically reduced to 11″ x 17")
      • Any required supplemental submittal materials as noted on pages 3 & 4 of the Land Use Application Checklist
      • If also requiring Urban Design Commission (UDC) Review, digital copies of the following, sent also to UDCapplications@cityofmadison.com:       
        • The Completed UDC Application Form,
        • Letter of Intent (if different than that submitted above),
        • Legible and scaled plans (if different that those submitted above) (typically reduced to 11" x 17") 
     
    • Please note that an individual email cannot exceed 20 MB. It is the responsibility of the applicant to present files in a manner that can be accepted. If dividing the submittal materials into multiple, smaller components (in order to meet the email size limit), please clearly indicate the total number of email components in the subject line (e.g.: “Land Use Application for 123 Elm Street - email 1 of 4”, “…2 of 4”, etc.) and label the email attachments accordingly (e.g.: “Site Plan 1 of 3”, “…2 of 3”, etc.). Please email zoning@cityofmadison.com regarding questions on this submittal or alternative filing options.
     
    • The Review Fee (see Page 6 of the Land Use Application) 
      • Fees may be submitted as a check, made out to "City Treasurer", and mailed to City Building Inspection (see address below). Arrangements can also be made with Zoning staff to process credit card payments. If mailing a check for the application fee, please do the following:
      1. Include a cover page with the check which includes the project address, brief description of the project, and contact information.
      2. Mail it to the following address: City of Madison Building Inspection P.O. Box 2984. Madison, WI 53701-2984
  4. Post-Submission Design Changes

    Please note that subsequent revisions to submittal materials will likely result in rescheduling of public hearings (i.e. being deferred to a later review cycle).
  5. Public Hearing & Plan Commission

    Once your completed application has been accepted, the Planning Division will transmit the application to other City agencies, the district alder, and neighborhood association (if any) for review and comment and provide notice of the conditional use request in the City’s official paper and to properties within 200 feet of the site prior to your scheduled Plan Commission date. A staff report reviewing the request and recommending conditions will be prepared prior to the Plan Commission meeting.

    At the Plan Commission meeting, the commission will consider the staff report and any testimony provided to determine if the request can meet the standards for approval. The Plan Commission may stipulate conditions of approval and restrictions upon the establishment, location, construction, maintenance, and operation of the conditional use.

    After final action has been taken on an application, the Planning Division will e-mail a disposition letter to the contact person identified on the application that provides a detailed list of the conditions of approval (if applicable) and instructions for finalizing the requested land use approvals prior to receiving permits for demolition or new construction.

  6. Plan Revision and Resubmission

    After approval is granted, the applicant is responsible for satisfying the various conditions of approval, as contained in the Disposition Letter. If the applicant should have specific questions about a condition, they should contact the particular agency that submitted the condition.

    The applicant shall then resubmit a PDF copy of the plan set and any other supporting materials that are necessary, as specified in the Disposition Letter to Zoning@cityofmadison.com. (Note: The 20MB email limit still applies)

    A check for the site plan review fee should be mailed to the Building Inspection address noted above. (Please refer to Page 6 of the Land Use Application Form for information on fees).

    City Agencies who submitted conditions of approval during the initial plan will review the revised plans to verify that their conditions, along with any applicable requirements, have been satisfied. When the revised plans are submitted, the applicant will be emailed a hyperlink to a website to follow, in real time, which agencies have reviewed the revised documents, and signed off or need additional information.
  7. Final Approval

    Once all City Agencies have signed off, Zoning Staff will issue final approval and the applicant may then pull any other necessary permits. Note: separate building, sign, or demolition permits issued by the Building Inspection Division will be required before work on the project can commence. Questions on this matter should be directed to the Building Inspection Division, (608) 266-4551.


Related Forms & Handouts

  • Land Use Application Form (check the box for “Conditional Use”)
  • Land Use Application Checklist and Supplemental Submittal Requirements
  • Plan Commission Meeting Schedule and Submission Deadlines
  • Alteration of Existing Conditional Use Instructions
  • Alteration of Existing Conditional Use Application

Land Development

  • Private Property
    • Annex / Attach Land
    • Conditional Use
    • Condominium Creation / Conversion / Amendment Application
    • Demolish a Building
      • Demolition Notification
    • Erosion Control
    • Existing Specific Implementation Plan Alterations
    • Landmarks & Construction in Historic Districts
    • Rezoning Property
    • State Environmental Permits
    • Storm Water Management
    • Subdividing Land
    • Urban Design Approvals
    • Variances
  • Public Right of Way
    • Excavate in Right of Way
    • Storm Water Connection Permit
    • Street Encroachment / Privilege in Streets
    • Street Occupancy
    • Street Terrace Alterations (Sidewalk, Terrace, Drive Apron)
    • Street Vacation

Contact Building Inspection

Building Inspection
215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Suite 017
Madison, WI 53703

  • Hours:
    Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • Conditional Use Questions
  • Variances / Area Exceptions Questions
  • Zoning & Rezoning Questions
  • Other Questions
  • Phone: (608) 266-4551
  • Building Plan Review: (608) 266-4559
  • Fax: (608) 266-6377
  • WI Relay Service

Development Services Center

  • Contact Us
  • Hours:
    Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • Phone: (608) 266-4551
  • Building Plan Review:
    (608) 266-4559
  • Fax: (608) 266-6377
  • WI Relay Service

Contributing Agencies

  • Building Inspection
  • Engineering
  • Madison Fire Department
  • Planning

Resources

  • Data Sheets
  • Development Assistance Team (DAT)
  • Development Center Terminology
  • Development Review Bodies
  • Neighborhood Resources
  • Project Status Information
  • Additional Resources

Fees

  • Business Licenses
  • Clerk's Office License Fees
  • Fire Code License Fees
  • Food & Drink Licenses
  • Inspection Fees
  • Site Plan Review Fees
  • Traffic Engineering Fees
  • Zoning Fees
City of Madison, Wisconsin logo, copyright City of Madison

Our Madison – Inclusive, Innovative, & Thriving

Copyright © 1995 - 2021 City of Madison, WI
  • Contact Webmaster
  • Accessibility
  • Web Policies
2019 Winner of the Digital Cities Survey by the Center for Digital Government