MOVING OF BUILDINGS.
Madison General Ordinances § 29.14
in effect29.14 - MOVING OF BUILDINGS.
No building shall be moved within, through, or into the City of Madison without first obtaining a permit. Permission shall be granted only as follows:
(1) All buildings.
(a) No building shall be moved within, through, or into the City of Madison if deemed by the Director of the Building Inspection Division to be unsafe or unfit and unreasonable to repair.
(b) No person shall apply for a permit to move a building unless the Plan Commission has approved the removal of the building per Section 28.185, MGO.
(2) Buildings to be moved upon or along a public street.
(a) An application for a permit shall be made to the Director of the Building Inspection Division and shall be accompanied by a schematic drawing showing the axle and wheel layout that will support the building during the move and the distribution of weight on each wheel. Accurate dimensions for the building as loaded and prepared for moving shall be provided. The application shall include a description of the route the building will travel. The route along which the building will travel and the time the move will take place shall be approved by the City Engineer, Streets Superintendent, Director of Traffic Engineering, Water Utility Manager, Chief of Police, and the City Forester. (Am. by ORD-23-00098, 10-26-23)
(b) A Certificate of Insurance shall be provided to the Director of the Building Inspection Division on a form provided by the City showing general public liability and property damage insurance in minimum limits of one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence.
(c) An indemnification agreement approved by the Director of the Building Inspection Division.
(d) A surety bond or letter of credit in an amount established by the Director of the Building Inspection Division but not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) guaranteeing that the applicant will remove the building from the City street, property or right-of-way upon receiving notice to do so from the Director of the Building Inspection Division, and that the bills for damage to public property will be promptly paid. If the applicant fails to remove the building from the City street, property, or right-of-way upon such notice, the City of Madison shall seek payment under the surety bond or letter of credit for removal of the building.
(e) The applicant's mover shall be prequalified as a public works contractor by the City Engineer. Upon completion of the move, the City Engineer shall inspect the public property over which the building was moved. If any damage to public property is noted, the amount of damage shall be determined and if the applicant fails to pay promptly all bills for such damages, the City of Madison shall seek payment under the surety bond/letter of credit given by the applicant responsible for the payment of the same.
(f) No buildings shall be allowed to remain over night upon any street, nor shall any trees or shrubs be trimmed or otherwise disturbed without the approval of the City Forester and the owner.
(g) The owner of the property being moved is responsible for the cost of City services resulting directly from the moving project as described in the moving permit.
(3) Buildings to be moved onto a zoning lot within the City of Madison. In addition to meeting the requirements of Subsection (2) above, the following conditions must be met:
(a) The building to be moved shall conform with the existing buildings in the area in which it is to be moved, as determined by the Zoning Administrator, with the approval of the Director of the Building Inspection Division.
(b) A surety bond or letter of credit, in such sum as shall be determined by the Director of the Building Inspection Division, shall be filed with the Director of the Building Inspection Division to assure that the exterior of the building will be finished in a skillful manner, including painting and final grading. This requirement may be combined with the requirements in Section 29.14(2)(d), MGO, in which case, the surety bond or letter of credit may exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). The work shall be completed within six (6) months of the date of the building permit or the City of Madison shall seek payment under the surety bond, or letter of credit and shall cause completion of the building and grading.
(c) All bulk requirements for the location of the building on the new lot must be met unless a variance or area exception is obtained from the Zoning Board of Appeals prior to applying for a moving permit. Fees are separate for a moving permit and a variance or area exception.
(d) A site plan with accurate dimensions drawn to scale showing the proposed new location of the building and a specific description of the proposed building use must be submitted to the Director of the Building Inspection Division.
(Rpld. and Recreated by ORD-21-00024, 3-26-21)
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_CH29BUCO_GEADPR_29.14MOBUFetched: 11/1/2026