TEMPORARY DECORATIVE WINDOW COVERINGS.
Madison General Ordinances § 31.101
in effect31.101 - TEMPORARY DECORATIVE WINDOW COVERINGS.
The City recognizes the value of improving the visual appearance of the streetscape in the Downtown Core (DC) and Urban Mixed-Use (UMX) districts by allowing temporary decorative coverings on the window of a vacant storefront or tenant space. This promotes the city's substantial interests in improving the aesthetics and safety for businesses and individuals in the downtown area by creating visual interest, providing information about community activities, as well as shielding the view of the interior of the vacant property. Therefore, the Zoning Administrator may issue a permit for a temporary decorative window covering in the Downtown Core and UMX districts, subject to the following:
(1) The building or tenant space associated with the window must be vacant.
(2) The window covering shall include only the following elements:
(a) Decorative design with no text or logo, displayed for the purpose of adding color and interest to the building.
(b) Announcements regarding cultural events, charity campaigns, neighborhood-association sponsored activities, or any other noncommercial event, activity or cause occurring in the Central Area as defined in Chapter 28. (Am. by ORD-17-00124, 12-18-17)
(3) The window covering may be displayed only on glass or transparent panels, shall be flush with the window surface, and may cover up to one hundred percent (100%) of the total window area as defined in Sec. 31.10(3). If displayed on the outside of the window, the window covering shall be of a weatherproof material and application that resists peeling.
(4) The permit issued for a decorative window covering shall be issued for a maximum of six (6) months or until the building or tenant space associated with the window is occupied, whichever is shorter. Such permit may be renewed if the building or tenant space continues to be vacant.
(5) Temporary decorative window coverings under this section shall not be considered "window signs" under Sec. 31.10.
(Sec. 31.101 Cr. by ORD-14-00159, 10-15-14)
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_CH31SICOOR_SPTYSI_31.101TEDEWICOFetched: 11/1/2026