Hot Tub, Whirlpool or Spa

The first step in installing an outdoor hot tub is to determine how the property is zoned and if there are any special development considerations for your project. Zoning staff will be able to tell you the zoning of the property and if there are any special conditions which may affect your project. If your project requires special handling, our staff will inform you of the requirements and next steps.

Find out the zoning for your property.

Who to Contact

Zoning at Building Permits: (608) 266-4551.

Consider these points when planning your hot tub installation project:

Placement

• A hot tub, whirlpool or spa may be located in the rear yard of your property, either free-standing or installed into a deck.
• A free-standing hot tub should be at least three (3) feet from the rear lot line of your property.
• A hot tub in the rear thirty-five (35) feet of your lot most likely meets zoning requirements in your neighborhood.
• A hot tub located along the side of your house requires a setback from the side lot line. The setback must be a distance equal or greater than the minimum setback required for the home. Check with Zoning staff for this setback distance.

If your lot is on a corner or is irregularly shaped, the setbacks may be different than described. Zoning staff can review your site plan to help you determine where you can install your hot tub.

With these rules in mind, draw your entire property with the location of the addition. This drawing is your site plan.

The site plan drawing must show:

• All existing and proposed structures.
• The dimensions of the lot, the shed, the house, and any other structures.
• The distances from the shed to the lot lines and the distances to all other structures.

Draw your site plan to scale. Make sure you use an accepted scale.

For lakefront properties, a survey prepared by a registered land surveyor is required. The survey must show existing setbacks to the Ordinary High Water Mark of buildings on adjacent lots.

Schedule an appointment with Zoning to review your site plan. If you skip this step and your site plan is not acceptable, it may add weeks to your permit processing time. 

Where to Go

Building Inspection Permit Counter by appointment only
Madison Municipal Building
215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Suite 017
Madison, WI 53703

What to bring

(Note: You must draw all plans to scale)

• Site Plan
• Structural plans (only if hot tub is resting on an existing deck or floor system)

Note: If your project cannot conform to building code, follow the variance procedure. See the Petition for Variance Application for more information. Please contact Building Inspection at (608) 266-4551 with any questions.

After obtaining Zoning and Building Plan approval, either you or your contractor can apply for the building permit.

You will need to pay for any plan review costs, building permits or other fees that may apply to your project.

Where to Go

Building Inspection Permit Counter by appointment only
Madison Municipal Building
215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Suite 017
Madison, WI 53703

Once the plans have been reviewed and approved, the permit can be issued. If the plans have not been approved, new plans need to be submitted correcting the items listed in the withholding letter. Minor projects can be approved at the counter. More complex projects may take 10 – 15 business days to review.

When your plans are approved and your fees have been paid, the Building Inspection will issue the required permits for your project.

Once the work permitted is completed, but before covering up or building over any permitted work, you will need to call and request an inspection. Inspections are required to ensure that all work was completed correctly. View required inspections.

Call for an inspection request: (608) 266-4551.

After your final inspection, your project will be considered complete.