LIMITED MIXED-USE DISTRICT.
Madison General Ordinances § 28.063
in effect28.063 - LIMITED MIXED-USE DISTRICT.
(1) Statement of Purpose.
The LMX District is established to allow for small-scale mixed-use development within or adjacent to otherwise residential areas. The district is also intended to:
(a) Encourage pedestrian, bicycle and transit use as a means of accessing these developments.
(b) Protect the integrity of the surrounding residential uses.
(c) Facilitate preservation, development or redevelopment consistent with the adopted goals, objectives, policies, and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan and of adopted neighborhood, corridor or special area plans.
(2) Permitted and Conditional Uses.
See Table 28D-2 for a complete list of allowed uses within the mixed-use and commercial districts.
(3) Dimensional Requirements.
Requirements represent minimums unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are in feet unless otherwise noted.
Limited Mixed-Use District
Front yard setback | 0' or 5' 0' if the distance between the curb and property line is equal to or greater than 15'. A no-build easement may be used to achieve the 15' distance. 5' if the distance between the curb and property line is less than 15'.
Street side yard setback | 0' or 5' 0' if the distance between the curb and property line is equal to or greater than 15' or shown on the Setback Exceptions Map. A no-build easement may be used to achieve the 15' distance. 5' if the distance between the curb and property line is less than 15'. See (a) below and Downtown Setback Map and Setback Exceptions Map.
Street side yard setback: Where buildings abut residentially-zoned lots at side lot line. | Same as for non-residential buildings in the adjacent residential district.
Side yard setback: other cases | 0
Rear yard setback | Same as for non-residential buildings in the adjacent residential district. If not adjacent to residential district, 20
Rear yard setback if rear property line adjacent to a lot or right-of-way with a publicly-owned multi-use path within 100' | 5
Maximum lot coverage | Same as for non-residential buildings in the adjacent residential district. If not adjacent to residential district, 75%
Maximum height | 2 stories/35
Maximum building size (sq. ft.) | 5,000
(4) Site Standards. The following standards shall apply to new buildings and additions exceeding 50% of original building's floor area.
(a) Maximum Size. Buildings shall not exceed five thousand (5,000) square feet of floor area. Buildings exceeding five thousand (5,000) square feet of floor area but not more than seven thousand five hundred (7,500) square feet of floor area may be allowed with conditional use approval. (Am. by ORD-15-00033, 4-8-15)
(b) Surface parking shall not be located between the primary street and the plane of the principal building's primary street-facing facade. Surface parking abutting the primary street frontage is limited to seventy (70) feet in width or fifty percent (50%) of lot frontage, whichever is less.
(c) All surface parking areas must be screened from adjacent residentially zoned properties.
(5) Site Standards: New and Existing Development.
(a) All business activities shall be conducted within completely enclosed buildings, except:
1. Off-street parking and off-street loading.
2. Outdoor display.
3. Vending machines.
4. Outdoor eating, cooking, and service areas associated with food and beverage establishments. (Am. by ORD-13-00178, 10-23-13)
5. Auto service stations.
6. Bicycle-sharing facilities.
7. Walk-up service windows.
8. Temporary outdoor events.
9. Solar energy systems and wind energy systems.
10. Yard sales.
11. Agricultural activities.
12. Cemeteries.
13. Composting.
14. Keeping of chickens and keeping of honeybees.
15. Outdoor recreation.
(Am. by ORD-21-00028, 3-30-21, Eff. 4-9-21; Am. by ORD-25-00011, 3-8-25; Am. by ORD-26-00001, 1-23-26) (Am. by ORD-24-00018, 3-20-24)
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_CH28ZOCOOR_SUBCHAPTER_28DMIECODI_28.063LIMIEDIFetched: 11/1/2026