Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Zone (NC).
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 295-1003
in effect295-1003. Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Zone (NC).
1. PURPOSE. The neighborhood conservation overlay zone is intended to provide a vehicle to initiate and implement programs for the revitalization or conservation of older areas or districts possessing distinctive features, identity, or character worthy of retention and enhancement. A neighborhood conservation overlay zone takes effect through adoption of a neighborhood conservation plan and a set of guidelines that will facilitate maintenance and protection of the neighborhood character and the development of vacant or underused lots. Incompatible mixes of uses will be reduced or prohibited by adding limitations to the list of permitted, limited and special uses of the base district.
2. PROCEDURES. a. Preparation of a Neighborhood Conservation Plan. Prior to the city plan commission’s consideration of a proposed neighborhood conservation overlay zone, a neighborhood conservation plan shall be completed by neighborhood property owners, the commissioner or both neighborhood property owners and the commissioner, and shall include the following:
a-1. A statement of purpose and an explanation of how the criteria of par. b are met.
a-2. An ordinance and map indicating the boundaries of all lots in the proposed neighborhood conservation overlay zone and the base zoning districts contained within the proposed overlay zone.
a-3. A neighborhood conservation plan consisting of a map and such other textual and graphic material as may be necessary to indicate land uses, building types and features, site development requirements, signing, circulation, off-street parking and modifications to base district standards.
b. Plan Criteria. The neighborhood conservation plan shall demonstrate that the neighborhood conservation overlay zone meets one or more of the following criteria:
b-1. Distinctive building features, such as period of construction, style, size, scale, detailing, mass, color and material.
b-2. Distinctive features or articles associated with the streetscape, such as light fixtures and devices, signs, benches, curb markers, kiosks and bollards.
b-3. Distinctive site planning and natural features, such as lot platting, street layout, setbacks, alleyways, sidewalks, creekbeds, parks and gardens.
b-4. Distinctive land uses or land use patterns, such as mixed or unique uses or activities, not permitted by base district without modification.
c. Creation. Creation of a neighborhood conservation overlay zone shall be by amendment to the zoning map, pursuant to s. 295-307, and shall include common council approval of a neighborhood conservation plan at the same time the map amendment is adopted. The plan shall establish standards and conditions for development consistent with the purposes of the plan and may include changes in land use controls and development standards.
d. Zoning Map Designator. Each neighborhood conservation overlay zone shall be shown on the zoning map by an "NC" designator and an appropriate number.
e. Limitation on Permit Issuance. No building or grading permit for a project within a neighborhood conservation overlay zone shall be issued by the commissioner of neighborhood services unless the use, alteration or construction meets the standards set forth in, or prepared pursuant to, sub. 3.
f. Amendment of Zone Boundaries. Amendment of the boundaries of a neighborhood conservation overlay zone shall only be initiated by a motion of the common council or by a petition submitted to the common council and signed by owners of 50% or more of the area of all land included in the zone. Following passage of the common council motion or the department’s receipt of a petition, the proposed boundary amendment shall be considered by the plan commission and common council in accordance with the zoning map amendment procedure in s. 295-307-3.
g. Appeals. An appeal of denial of a permit based on failure to meet performance criteria or development or design standards of a neighborhood conservation overlay zone shall be submitted, along with the fee listed in s. 200-33, to the commission and considered according to the procedures and findings of s. 295-311-7. An appeal relating to application of the regulations of the base or underlying zoning district that were not amended by the overlay zone shall be submitted to the board in accordance with s. 295-311.
h. Deviations. An application requesting a deviation from a performance or design standard of a neighborhood conservation overlay zone shall be submitted, along with the required fee specified in s. 200-33, to the commission secretary and considered by the commission, or the commission and the common council, according to the procedures and criteria of s. 295-311-9.
3. STANDARDS. a. Size. Each neighborhood conservation overlay zone shall include a minimum contiguous area of 2 acres, including intervening streets and alleys, and shall contain at least 3 separate parcels.
b. Uses. Provisions for specific uses included in any base zoning district except a planned development district may be modified by the neighborhood conservation plan to accommodate unique or mixed uses serving the neighborhood or to restrict uses which adversely affect the neighborhood.
c. Performance Criteria. Performance criteria for permitted, limited or special uses may be modified by the neighborhood conservation plan.
d. Development and Design Standards. Development and design standards may be created to enhance the neighborhood's identity and character.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-2/CH295-sub10.pdf#page=1Fetched: 10/26/2026