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Development Services Center

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  1. City of Madison
  2. Development Services Center
  3. Land Development
  4. Private Property
  5. Storm Water Management
Building Inspection Counter Appointments

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

Storm Water Management

Uncontrolled storm water runoff from land development activities have significant adverse impacts upon regional water resources and the health, safety, property and general welfare of the community, and diminish the public enjoyment and use of natural resources.

Madison General Ordinances Chapter 37 stipulates that land development activities within the City of Madison shall be subject to storm water management requirements to control storm water runoff and improve storm water quality. The following activities are subject to storm water management requirements:

  • Any development that results in the cumulative addition of 20,000 square feet of impervious area to the site.
  • Any subdivision of land that requires plat approval or any certified survey for property intended for commercial or industrial use.
  • Redevelopment projects that disturb 4,000 square feet or more of land area.
  • Other land development activities that the Administrative Authority determines may exceed the safe capacity of the existing drainage facilities and/or receiving body, significantly increase downstream runoff volumes, flooding, soil erosion, water pollution or property damage, or significantly impact a lake, stream, wetland or other sensitive area.
  • Any land disturbance equal to or greater than one (1) acre regardless of the impervious area that is part of the project after construction.
  • New street construction, exceeding 20,000 square feet of new impervious area that is not directly associated with a new plat or CSM development.

New Development Projects and Storm Water Management Requirements

New Development projects that add 20,000 square feet or more impervious area must meet the following storm water management criteria.

  • Sediment Control: 80% Total Suspended Solids (TSS) removal from storm water runoff leaving the site. Existing parking lots and improvements on a site are exempt provided they are not removed and rebuilt
  • Oil and Grease Control: The first 0.5 inches of runoff shall be treated using the best oil and grease removal technology available. Site must provide Oil and Grease control when they reach 40 or more parking stalls, have high traffic areas (such as drive thru windows/lanes), or commercial/business activities will take place that have the potential for oil and grease pollution (i.e. gas/service stations).
  • Runoff Rate Control: Runoff Rate Control or Detention is required upon a cumulative increase in impervious area equal to 20,000 square feet or more. In general sites must maintain predevelopment peak runoff rates for the 2-year and 10-year, 24-hour storm events and safely pass the 100-year, 24-hour storm event. Depending on watershed and local drainage conditions additional runoff rate control requirements may also be required (contact Engineering Division staff to determine if there are additional requirements for your site).
  • Infiltration: All lots, plats, or Certified Survey Maps that have a total 20,000 square feet or more of impervious area are required to provide infiltration per State, County and City criteria.
  • Thermal Control: A site that adds 20,000 square feet or more of impervious area and is located within the watershed of a river or stream identified by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a Cold Water Community or Class I, Class II, and Class III Trout Stream must provide temperature reduction practices for storm water runoff leaving the site.

Redevelopment Projects and Storm Water Management Requirements

Redevelopment projects that disturb 4,000 square feet or more land area by removing or demolishing existing site improvements must meet the following storm water management criteria.

  • Sediment Control: 40% Total Suspended Solids (TSS) removal from storm water runoff leaving the site. Existing parking lots and improvements are exempt provided they are not removed and rebuilt. If the site is adding improvements to an existing vegetated area/non-developed portion of the site in excess of 20,000 square feet it is actually considered New Development and will need to meet Sediment Control requirements as if it were New Development.
  • Oil and Grease Control: The first 0.5 inches of runoff shall be treated using the best oil and grease removal technology available. Site must provide Oil and Grease control when they reach 40 or more parking stalls, have high traffic areas (such as drive thru windows/lanes), or commercial/business activities will take place that have the potential for oil and grease pollution (i.e. gas/service stations). Only the new surfaces added during redevelopment must be treated, existing parking lots and improvements are exempt provided they are not removed and rebuilt.
  • Runoff Rate Control: Runoff Rate Control or Detention is required upon a cumulative increase in impervious area equal to 20,000 square feet or more. In general sites must maintain predevelopment peak runoff rates for the 2-year and 10-year, 24-hour storm events and safely pass the 100-year, 24-hour storm event. Depending on watershed and local drainage conditions additional runoff rate control requirements may also be required (contact Engineering Division staff to determine if there are additional requirements for your site).
  • Infiltration: Redevelopment sites are generally exempt from infiltration requirements. If the site is adding improvements to an existing vegetated area/non-developed portion of the site in excess of 20,000 square feet it will need to meet infiltration requirements as if it were New Development.
  • Thermal Control: A Redevelopment site which adds 20,000 square feet or more of impervious area and is located within the watershed of a river or stream identified by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a Cold Water Community or Class I, Class II, and Class III Trout Stream must provide temperature reduction practices for storm water runoff leaving the site.

New Development vs. Redevelopment

Normally New Development occurs on a new lot or site that previously has not been developed. In some cases it is possible to have New Development and Redevelopment taking place during the same project. If 20,000 square feet or more impervious area is being added to a portion of a larger that is currently vegetated and has never been developed on it would be considered New Development. The same project could also be removing existing improvements such as a parking lot or building to make room for the proposed improvements making that portion of the work Redevelopment. If you are working on a project which may fall into this situation it is recommended that you contact Engineering Division staff as early as possible to determine the development status of the project or parts thereof.

Process Overview

  1. Discuss Project with City Staff

    Where to Go

    Engineering Division
    City-County Building

    210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 115
    Madison, WI 53703

    Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm

  2. Submit Application

    Submit application to the Engineering Department along with applicable storm water management.

  3. Pay Fees

    Pay your permit fees at the location you submitted your application.

  4. Receive Permit

    The division that received your application and permit fees will issue your permit.

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 Engineering

Engineering
210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Room 115
City County Building
Madison, WI 53703
Engineering Division Permit Applications
1600 Emil Street
Madison, WI 53713

  • Hours:
    Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • Erosion Control Questions
  • Excavate in the Right of Way Questions
  • Storm Water Management Questions
  • Street Terrace Alterations Questions
  • Street Vacation Questions
  • Technical Questions: (608) 266-4751
  • Applying for Permits & Final Invoices Questions: (608) 266-6429
  • Construction Questions: (608) 267-1197
  • Main Office: (608) 264-9274
  • Fax: (608) 264-9275
  • 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
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