STANDARDS FOR ADDITIONS.
Madison General Ordinances § 41.26
in effect41.26 - STANDARDS FOR ADDITIONS.
(1) General.
(a) General.
1. New additions on the front of the principal structure are prohibited, except for restoring or reconstructing missing historic features that can be documented.
2. A new addition shall be designed to be subordinate and compatible with the character of the structure.
3. The addition shall be visually separated from the principal building.
4. The alignment, rhythm, and size of the window and door openings of the new addition shall be similar to those of the historic building.
5. Rooftop additions, decks, terraces, and mechanical and service equipment shall be located to be set back from elevations visible from the developed public right-of-way in order to minimize its visibility and impact on the historic character of the building.
(b) Materials and Features.
1. A new addition shall be constructed on a secondary or non-character defining elevation so that historic materials and features are not obscured, damaged or destroyed.
2. New additions that destroy significant historic materials or character-defining features are prohibited.
(c) Accessibility.
1. Whenever possible, access to historic buildings should be through a primary building entrance.
2. Barrier-free access requirements shall be complied with in such a manner that the historic building's character-defining exterior features and features of the site and setting are preserved or impacted as little as possible.
(d) Exceptions.
1. Additions to structures in Marquette Bungalows Historic District shall be no taller than the existing historic resource.
(2) Building Site.
(a) General.
1. Exterior additions to historic buildings shall be designed to be compatible with the historic character of historic resources within two hundred (200) feet and to maintain the pattern of the district.
2. New site features (such as parking areas, access ramps, trash or mechanical equipment enclosures) shall be designed so that they are as unobtrusive as possible, retain the historic relationship between the building and the landscape, and are visually compatible with historic resources within two hundred (200) feet.
(3) Exterior Walls.
(a) General.
1. Materials used for exterior walls of the addition shall be similar in design, scale, architectural appearance, and other visual qualities of the historic building, but differentiated enough so that it is not confused as historic or original to the building.
(b) Wood.
1. Products that replicate wood shall have a smooth surface without textured faux wood grain.
(4) Roofs.
(a) General.
1. The form and pitch of the addition roof shall be similar to and compatible with the existing roof form and pitch.
(b) Materials.
1. Visible roof materials shall be similar to the historic roof materials on the structure.
2. Any roofing materials shall be permitted on flat or slightly sloped roofs not visible from the developed public right-of-way.
(c) Skylights.
1. Skylights not visible from the developed public right-of-way shall be permitted.
2. Skylights visible from the developed public right-of-way shall be located on side roof slopes where the front edge of the skylight is at least twelve (12) feet back from the front edge of the main roof. They shall be flat, parallel to the slope of the roof, and painted to match the roof material.
(d) Chimneys.
1. New chimneys shall be constructed of compatible materials that are similar in design, color, scale, architectural appearance, and other visual qualities as the masonry features on the rest of the structure or similar historic resources in the district.
(e) Vents.
1. Roof vents shall be minimally visible and as unobtrusive as possible.
(f) Dormers.
1. Dormer additions not visible from the developed public right-of-way shall be permitted.
2. Dormer additions visible from the developed public right-of-way shall be located on side roof slopes where the front edge of the dormer is no less than twelve (12) feet from the front edge of the roof.
3. The ridge line of a dormer shall not extend above the ridge line of the main roof or extend beyond the face of the main structure wall below.
4. Dormer roof form, overhang, cladding, trim, and window shall be compatible with the character of the structure.
(g) Rooftop Features.
1. Rooftop decks or terraces and green roofs or other roof landscaping, railings, or furnishings shall be installed so that they are inconspicuous and minimally visible from the developed public right-of-way.
(5) Windows and Doors.
(a) General.
1. Openings and the windows or doors in them shall be compatible with the overall design of the historic building.
2. The new openings shall have similar dimensions, operation, components, and finish as the historic windows or doors of the structure.
(b) Windows and Storm Windows.
1. Simulated divided lights are permitted with window grids on the exterior and interior with spacer bars between the panes of glass.
2. Storm windows shall minimally obscure the window beneath and have a non-reflective coating.
(c) Entrance Doors and Storm Doors.
1. Doors shall be compatible with the overall design of the building.
2. New door openings shall have a similar height to width ratio, components, and finish as the historic doors of the structure.
3. Storm doors shall be full-light or full-view and have a non-reflective coating.
(d) Garage Doors.
1. Garage doors shall be similar in design, scale, architectural appearance, and other visual qualities prevalent within the historic district.
(6) Entrances, Porches, Balconies and Decks.
(a) Porch Elements.
1. The style of porch posts, balusters and rails shall be compatible with the overall design of the historic porch but, in most cases, not duplicate the historic features.
2. Spaces beneath porches and stairs shall be enclosed with a framed lattice of crisscross design, narrow vertical boards, masonry, or other openwork design.
3. All wood on exterior porches shall be painted or opaquely stained.
4. Second exit stairways and second exit platforms and stairs shall be as unobtrusive as possible.
(b) Balconies and Decks.
1. Rear yard decks shall be constructed so that they are not visible from the developed public right-of-way to which the building is oriented.
2. Spaces beneath decks and stairs visible from the developed public right-of-way shall be screened.
3. All parts of the deck or balcony, except the flooring and steps, shall be painted or opaquely stained.
4. Projecting, partially projecting, and inset balconies are prohibited on elevations facing the developed public right-of-way. Balconies that are not on elevations facing the developed public right-of-way shall be minimally visible when there is not precedent on historic resources in the district. (Am. by ORD-25-00044, 6-27-25)
(7) Building Systems.
(a) Mechanical Systems.
1. A split system mechanical unit may be installed in a manner that will have minimal impact on the historic character and result in minimal loss of historic building material and shall be placed on an elevation not visible from the developed public right-of-way.
2. Installing mechanical equipment on the roof that is highly visible from the developed public right-of-way is prohibited.
3. Grilles, vents, equipment, and meters shall be placed in a location on an elevation not visible from the developed public right-of-way or on the roof. Grilles, vents, equipment, and meters on elevations visible from the developed public right-of-way are prohibited, unless technically infeasible. Grilles, vents, equipment, and meters shall be finished or painted to match adjacent materials.
(b) Solar.
1. Roof-mounted solar arrays on sloped roofs shall be flat, parallel to the slope of the roof, and arranged in a pattern or grid parallel to the roof's ridge and eaves.
2. Roof-mounted solar arrays on flat roofs shall be installed so as to be minimally visible from the developed public right-of-way.
(c) Lighting and Electrical Systems.
1. Decorative light fixtures shall be compatible in style and location with the overall design of the building.
2. Security light fixtures or security cameras shall be installed so that they are as unobtrusive as possible.
3. Exterior mounted conduit on elevations visible from the developed public right-of-way is prohibited.
4. Roof appurtenances such as antennas, satellite dishes, or communications equipment should be installed so that they are minimally visible from the developed public right-of-way and do not damage or obscure historic features.
(d) Rooftop Features.
1. Rooftop decks or terraces and green roofs or other roof landscaping, railings, or furnishings shall be installed so that they are inconspicuous and minimally visible on the site and from the street.
(Am. by ORD-22-00042, 6-4-22)
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=COORMAWIVOIVCH32--45_CH41HIPR_SUBCHAPTER_41GHIDIST_41.26STADFetched: 11/1/2026