TRADITIONAL EMPLOYMENT DISTRICT.
Madison General Ordinances § 28.084
in effect28.084 - TRADITIONAL EMPLOYMENT DISTRICT.
(1) Statement of Purpose.
The TE District is established to encourage a broad range of employment activities, taking advantage of the varied transportation options and proximity to urban activities and cultural amenities found in many Traditional Employment locations. Residential uses are of secondary importance. The district is also intended to:
(a) Encourage businesses with the potential to provide significant numbers of living-wage jobs that contribute to a sustainable economy and a strong tax base.
(b) Support the continued use or adaptive re-use of traditional industrial buildings for a variety of purposes.
(c) Facilitate preservation, development or redevelopment consistent with the adopted goals, objectives, policies, and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan and adopted neighborhood, corridor or special area plans.
(2) Permitted and Conditional Uses.
See Table 28F-1 for a complete list of allowed uses within the employment districts.
(3) Dimensional Requirements, Permitted and Conditional Uses.
Requirements represent minimums unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are in feet unless otherwise noted.
Traditional Employment District
Lot area (sq. ft.) | 6,000
Lot area (for exclusive residential use) | 2,000 sq. ft./unit
Lot width | 50
Front yard setback | 0' or 5' 0' if the distance between the curb and property line is equal to or greater than 15'. A no-build easement may be used to achieve the 15' distance. 5' if the distance between the curb and property line is less than 15'. (see frontage requirements)
Street side yard setback | 0' or 5' 0' if the distance between the curb and property line is equal to or greater than 15' or shown on the Setback Exceptions Map. A no-build easement may be used to achieve the 15' distance. 5' if the distance between the curb and property line is less than 15'. See (a) below and Downtown Setback Map and Setback Exceptions Map.
Side yard setback: Where buildings abut residentially-zoned lots at side lot line. | Minimum side yard required in the adjacent residential district
Side yard setback: for exclusive residential use | 5
Side yard setback: other cases | None unless needed for access
Rear yard setback | Lesser of 20% lot depth or 20
Rear yard setback: For corner lots, where all abutting property is in a nonresidential zoning district | The required rear yard setback shall be the same as the required side yard setback
Rear yard setback if rear property line adjacent to a lot or right-of-way with a publicly-owned multi-use path within 100' | 5
Maximum lot coverage | 85%
Minimum height | 22, measured to building cornice
Maximum height | 5 stories/68 See (c) below
(a) (Rep. by ORD-17-00054, 6-19-17)
(b) Rear or Side Yard Height Transition to Adjacent Residential Districts. Where the TE District abuts a residential district, building height at the rear or side yard setback line shall not exceed the maximum height in feet allowed in the abutting district as a permitted use. From this point, building height may increase at a ratio of one foot of rise to one foot of horizontal distance away from the property line, (a 45° angle) up to the maximum allowed height. (See Figure D12) (Am. by ORD-14-00131, 8-13-14; Am. by ORD-25-00067, 10-16-25)
[image omitted; see the official code]
Figure D12: Rear or Side Yard Height Transition
(c) Additional Height. Building heights exceeding the maximum height may be allowed with conditional use approval. (Cr. by ORD-13-00007, 1-15-13)
(4) Site Standards.
The following standards apply to new buildings and additions exceeding fifty percent (50%) of the original building's floor area.
[image omitted; see the official code]
Figure F1: Parking Placement on Corner Properties
(a) Parking Placement. Surface parking shall not be located between the plane of the front facade of a building and the abutting street. In addition, for buildings at corner locations, surface parking shall not be placed between the plane of a side facade of the building and an abutting street, in the area from said street back to a point marking fifty percent (50%) of the total building depth. These provisions do not apply when the building being enlarged is an existing landmark building or a contributing building in a historic district.
(b) For the Single-Family Attached, Small Multi-Family, Large Multi-Family and Courtyard Multi-Family Building Forms, surface parking shall not be located between any street and the plane of the principal building's corresponding street-facing facade. If located on the side of the building, surface or structured parking shall occupy no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the frontage along the primary abutting street. For Large Multi-Family Buildings, structured parking at ground level shall not be visible from the front facade of the building.
(c) For all Building Forms other than (b) above, surface parking shall be located to the rear or side of the principal building.
(d) Loading. All loading shall be from the rear or side of the building, but not facing an arterial street. Loading docks may be located in the rear yard, or a side yard facing a street that is internal to a TE district.
(e) Entrance Orientation. Primary building entrances on all new buildings shall be oriented to the primary abutting public street. The entrance shall have a functional door. Additional, secondary entrances may be oriented to a secondary street or parking area. Entries shall be clearly visible and identifiable from the street, and delineated with elements such as roof overhangs, recessed entries, landscaping, or similar design features. Barrier-free entrances are encouraged.
(f) Notwithstanding (a), for lots abutting a street on three (3) or more sides, a maximum of twelve (12) parking stalls but no more than fifty percent (50%) of the total surface parking spaces may be located between the front facade and the street. These spaces shall be oriented to customers and visitors. (Cr. by ORD-14-00069, 4-16-14)
(5) Site Standards: New and Existing Development.
(a) All business activities shall be conducted within completely enclosed buildings, except:
1. Off-street parking and off-street loading.
2. Outdoor display and outdoor storage.
3. Temporary outdoor events.
4. Outdoor eating, cooking, and service areas associated with food and beverage establishments. (Am. by ORD-13-00178, 10-23-13)
5. Agricultural activities.
6. Drive-through windows. (Am. by ORD-24-00033, 6-3-24)
7. Solar energy systems and wind energy systems.
8. Bicycle-sharing facilities.
9. Farmers' markets.
10. Composting.
11. Auto service stations.
12. Outdoor recreation.
13. Vacuuming and cleaning at car washes. (Cr. by ORD-21-00021, 3-15-21)
(b) Outside storage shall be effectively screened with screening between six (6) and eight (8) feet in height. Storage shall not exceed the height of the screening. Storage and loading areas shall be screened from direct view from the street, including views down access driveways.
(Am. by ORD-14-00003, 1-14-14; ORD-14-00133, 8-13-14; ORD-14-00169, 12-3-14; ORD-17-00054, 6-19-17; Am. by ORD-21-00028, 3-30-21, Eff. 4-9-21; Amended by ORD-21-00054, 7-30-21; Am. by ORD-25-00011, 3-8-25; Am. by ORD-26-00001, 1-23-26) (Am. by ORD-25-00067, 10-16-25) (Am. by ORD-24-00018, 3-20-24) (Sec. 28.084(4) Am. by ORD-13-00193, 11-26-13)
Source: City of Madison, Wisconsin, Madison General Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wi/madison/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORMAWIVOIICH20--31_CH28ZOCOOR_SUBCHAPTER_28FEMDI_28.084TREMDIFetched: 11/1/2026