STANDARDS FOR REPAIRS.
Madison General Ordinances § 41.24
in effect41.24 - STANDARDS FOR REPAIRS.
(1) General.
(a) This section provides standards for building or site repair when the scope of a project exceeds normal on-going maintenance and a limited amount of repair of any exterior element is necessary. Work beyond the level described below, as determined by the Preservation Planner, shall be considered an alteration and be governed by the Standards for Alterations section (Sec. 41.25). (Am. by ORD-25-00044, 6-27-25)
1. Materials and features shall be repaired by patching, splicing, consolidating, or otherwise reinforcing using recognized conservation and preservation methods for the material or feature needing repair.
2. Compatible substitute materials shall be similar in design, scale, architectural appearance, and other visual qualities.
(2) Building Site.
(a) General.
1. Historic site features, not including landscaping, which have been damaged, are deteriorated, or have missing components shall be repaired to reestablish the whole feature and to ensure retention of the integrity of the historic materials. When damage or deterioration requires repair that cannot be met by these conditions, work will be considered an alteration (Sec. 41.25).
(3) Walls.
(a) Masonry.
1. Remove failed mortar so as to not damage the masonry unit, and new mortar will match the historic in strength, composition, color, texture, and profile of the historic mortar.
2. Stucco and concrete shall be repaired by removing the damaged material and patching with new material that duplicates the old in strength, composition, color, and texture.
3. Application of sealers and abrasive cleaning of masonry is prohibited.
4. For replacement of masonry units, see Standards for Alterations.
(b) Wood.
1. Materials and features shall be repaired by patching, splicing, consolidating, or otherwise reinforcing using recognized conservation and preservation methods for the material or feature needing repair.
(4) Roofs.
(a) General.
1. Roof repairs shall ensure that the existing roof covering is sound and waterproof.
(5) Windows and Doors.
(a) Windows & Doors.
1. Deteriorated or broken components or features shall be repaired.
2. Replacement in kind or with a compatible substitute materials shall be used when materials or features are missing or are physically beyond repair and/or are not economically feasible to repair.
(6) Entrances, Porches, Balconies and Decks.
(a) Entrances and Porches.
1. Deteriorated or broken components or features shall be repaired.
2. Replacement in-kind or with a compatible substitute materials shall be used when materials or features are extensively deteriorated or missing.
(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_41.24STREFetched: 11/1/2026