Conditional Use

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 open to the public by appointment only and many staff are working remotely, 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.

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 alder 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 submittal 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.

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 Mondays at 12:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted. 

Where to Go

Online (Staff are currently only accepting digital (PDF) submittals - not paper)

What to Include

• PDF Copies of the following, emailed to PCapplications@cityofmadison.com:
  • The completed Land Use Application Form (check the box for “Conditional Use”)
  • 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 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")
  • 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.
  • Any required supplemental submittal materials as noted on pages 3 & 4 of the Land Use Application Checklist
  • The review fee (see Page 6 of the Land Use Application for the fee amount, see below for more information on how to submit the fee)
  • 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 ( for the amount, see Page 6 of the Land Use Application) 
  • The fee can be mailed in, dropped in the drop box at the Madison Municipal Building, or you can make an appointment at the Zoning counter to pay the fee. Checks should be made out to “City Treasurer.” If you mail in the check or use the drop box, please include a cover page which includes the project address, brief description of the project, and contact information. Zoning staff typically suggest using the drop box or making an appointment with the Zoning counter to pay the fee as they are the quickest.
    • Mailing Address: City of Madison Building Inspection. P.O. Box 2984. Madison, WI 53701-2984
    • Drop Box Location: Madison Municipal Building, Doty Street Entrance. 215 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Madison, WI 53701-2984
    • Zoning Counter Appointment: https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/bi/schedule-a-counter-appointment/3423/

Zoning staff will review the application in the days following the submittal for completeness. If complete, Zoning will forward the application will on.

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).

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 public 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.

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.

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.