ROOFED PASSAGEWAYS AND BARRICADES.
Madison General Ordinances § 29.12
in effect29.12 - ROOFED PASSAGEWAYS AND BARRICADES.
(1) Roofed Passageways and Barricades Required. The owner or contractor engaged in the construction, remodeling or demolition of any building erected on the lot line adjacent to any street, sidewalk or alley shall cause a roofed passageway and/or barricade to be erected and maintained as set forth in this section.
(2) Standards. A roofed passageway or barricade required under Subsection (1) shall meet the following standards:
(a) When Required. For any multi-story project, after the completion of the first story, a roofed passageway shall be built in the front of the building and, also, on the side of the building if such building is being erected or demolished on a corner lot. A solid substantial fence, eight (8) feet high, designed to resist a wind pressure of fifteen (15) pounds per square foot of net area may be provided for excavations and one story structures in lieu of a roofed barricade.
(b) Construction and Maintenance Requirement. Any roofed passageway or barricade required under this section shall be constructed and maintained while work on said building is in progress in such a manner as to insure the protection of persons using the sidewalk or street against flying or falling objects or other hazards of construction or demolition. All accumulation of rubbish within the roofed passageway or walkway area shall be cleaned up every day before leaving the premises.
(c) Street Occupancy Permit. Where a roofed passageway or barricade is required to be placed in the public way or other public grounds under this section, the owner or contractor shall obtain a street occupancy permit under Section 10.055, MGO, and the roofed passageway or barricade is subject to the requirements of that section. In addition, the failure to follow the requirements of this section shall be cause to revoke a street occupancy permit issued under Section 10.055, MGO.
(d) Design Standards. The walkway of a roofed passageway shall be not less than five (5) feet wide and eight (8) feet high in the clear. Roof bracing shall not be less than six (6) feet high from grade. Buildings set back twenty (20) feet from the front property line need not be covered if, in the opinion of the Director of the Building Inspection Division, no hazard to the public exists. All members of the shed shall be adequately braced and connected to resist displacement of members or distortion of the framework.
(e) Roof Design. The roof shall be designed to support a load of one hundred fifty (150) pounds per square foot and if the roof is to be used for storage of materials it shall be designed to support three hundred (300) pounds per square foot. Minimum roof decking shall be of not less than two (2) inch (nominal) wood plank, closely laid, and the deck made water tight. When roofs are used for storage of materials or during wrecking operations, the outside edge and ends of the roofed passageway's roof shall be provided with a solid substantial enclosure of at least three (3) feet six (6) inches above the deck of the shed.
(f) Lighting Requirements. The roofed passageway shall be lighted either by natural or artificial means sufficient to insure safety for pedestrians and warning to vehicular traffic.
(g) Fencing. Walkways shall have a solid fence not less than three (3) feet six (6) inches high on all open sides except within twenty (20) feet of a street intersection so as not to interfere with traffic visibility across the corner. This area shall have a handrail three (3) feet six (6) inches high and an intermediate rail on the open sides.
(h) Construction Activity. All construction activity shall take place behind the barricade. No materials or equipment shall be lifted over the roofed passageway.
(3) Removal From Public Property. When, at the discretion of the Director of the Building Inspection Division, it is no longer necessary to maintain a roofed passageway and/or barricade on public property, the roofed passageway and/or barricade shall be removed within forty-eight (48) hours of notification by the Building Inspection Division.
(4) Restoration. Upon the removal of the roofed passageway or barricade, the street, sidewalk, alleys or other public grounds occupied by the roofed passageway or barricade shall be restored to their original condition and left in good repair and condition, as required under Section 10.055(4)(n), MGO. Any new or reconstructed sidewalk shall comply with Section 10.06, MGO.
(5) Violation. Any person who fails to comply with any of the requirements of this section shall upon conviction be subject to a forfeiture of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). Each day or portion thereof such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.
(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_29.12ROPABAFetched: 11/1/2026