STANDARDS FOR NEW STRUCTURES.
Madison General Ordinances § 41.27
in effect41.27 - STANDARDS FOR NEW STRUCTURES.
(1) General.
(a) Primary Structures. The design for a new structure in a historic district shall be visually compatible with other historic resources within two hundred (200) feet in the following ways:
1. Building Placement. When determining visual compatibility for building placement, the Landmarks Commission shall consider factors such as lot coverage, setbacks, building orientation, and historic relationships between the building and site.
2. Street Setback. When determining visual compatibility for street setbacks, the Landmarks Commission shall consider factors such as the average setback of historic resources on the same block face within two hundred (200) feet, and the setback of adjacent structures.
3. Visual Size. When determining visual compatibility for visual size, the Landmarks Commission shall consider factors such as massing, building height in feet and stories, the gross area of the front elevation (i.e., all walls facing the street), street presence, and the dominant proportion of width to height in the façade.
4. Building Form. When determining visual compatibility for building form, the Landmarks Commission shall consider factors such as building type and use, roof shape, symmetry or asymmetry, and its dominant vertical or horizontal expression.
5. Architectural Expression. When determining visual compatibility for architectural expression, the Landmarks Commission shall consider factors such as the building's modulation, articulation, building planes, proportion of building elements, and rhythm of solids to voids created by openings in the façade.
(b) Accessory Structures.
1. Comply with requirements for new primary structures with other historic accessory structures serving as comparables.
2. Minimally visible from the developed public right-of-way, or be minimally visible from the front of the property for corner lots.
3. Clearly be secondary to the primary structure.
(c) Exceptions.
1. New principal structures in Marquette Bungalows Historic District shall be no taller than the existing historic resources in the district.
(2) Building Site.
(a) General.
1. New 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 buildings and the building and the landscape, and are visually compatible with other historic resources in the district.
2. Fences and retaining walls in the front yard shall be in character with the style of fences or retaining walls historically found in the district, or in keeping with the materials and character of historic resources in the district.
(3) Exterior Walls.
(a) General.
1. Materials used for new structures shall be similar in design, scale and architectural appearance to materials that date to the period of significance on historic resources within two hundred (200) feet, but differentiated enough so that it is not confused as a historic building.
(4) Roofs.
(a) Form.
1. Roof form and pitch shall be similar to the form and pitch of the roofs on historic resources within two hundred (200) feet.
(b) Materials.
1. Roof materials shall replicate materials found on historic resources within two hundred (200) feet.
2. Any roofing material shall be permitted on flat or slightly pitched roofs not visible from the developed public right-of-way.
(c) Skylights.
1. Skylights visible from the developed public right-of-way shall be flat, parallel to the slope of the roof, and have the frame painted to match the roof material, and be located least twelve (12) feet back from the front edge of the roof.
2. Other forms of skylights are allowed on elevations not visible from the developed public right-of-way.
(d) Chimneys.
1. A chimney's form and materials shall be similar to other chimneys on historic resources within the district.
(e) 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.
(5) Windows and Doors.
(a) General.
1. Door and window styles should both match the style of the new structure and be compatible with those on historic resources within two hundred (200) feet.
(b) Windows and Storm Windows.
1. Multi-light windows shall have true divided lights or simulated divided lights with muntin grids on the exterior and interior with spacer bars between the panes of glass.
(c) Entrance Doors and Storm Doors.
1. Sliding glass doors shall not be installed on the ground floor elevation along any street frontage.
(d) Shutters.
1. Shutters shall be allowed if they are found on historic resources in the district, and shall replicate their operable appearance.
(e) Awnings.
1. Awnings will be of a configuration and form consistent with the awnings in the district.
2. Awning materials shall have the appearance of the materials found on historic resources with awnings.
(f) 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. Entrances and porches shall be of a size and configuration consistent with the historic resources in the district.
2. The primary entrance for the structure shall be located on the front elevation, or, structures on a corner lot may have a corner entrance.
3. Second exit stairways shall be provided on the interior of the structure.
(b) Balconies and Decks.
1. Projecting, partially projecting/inset, and inset balconies are prohibited on elevations facing the developed public right-of-way, unless there is precedent on the historic resources in the district. 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. Mechanical equipment shall be screened if it is visible from the developed public right-of-way.
2. Static vents, electric vents, wind turbines, and attic fans visible from the developed public right-of-way are prohibited.
3. Grilles, vents, equipment, and meters shall be finished or painted to match adjacent building 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.
(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_41.27STNESTFetched: 11/1/2026