MIXED USE CENTER (MXC) DISTRICT.
Madison General Ordinances § 28.066
in effect28.066 - MIXED USE CENTER (MXC) DISTRICT.
(1) Statement of Purpose.
The MXC District is established to encourage the development or redevelopment of mixed-use centers that combine new or existing retail development with a variety of housing, offices, studios, live-work space, civic buildings, and other complementary uses arranged in a cohesive, compact, and walkable environment that makes it convenient for residents, customers, and employees to travel by transit, bicycle, foot, or car. The MXC District is intended to facilitate the development or redevelopment of properties recommended for mixed-use development or transit-oriented development in the Comprehensive Plan or adopted neighborhood, corridor or special area plans. MXC Districts shall be located along existing or planned high-capacity multi-modal transportation corridors. The district is also intended to:
(a) Encourage appropriate transitions between higher-intensity uses within mixed-use centers and adjacent lower-density residential districts.
(b) Encourage the development of mixed-use buildings, though not every building in the MXC District needs to include both residential and non-residential uses. However, both types of land uses shall be accommodated within the district as a whole. MXC Districts shall be planned to provide a suitable residential environment.
(2) Standards for Approval of Zoning Map Amendment.
The standards for approval of a zoning map amendment to the MXC District, approval of a MXC district master plan, or any major alteration to an approved master plan, are as follows:
(a) The MXC District and master plan shall facilitate the development or redevelopment of a property or properties recommended for mixed-use or transit-oriented development in the Comprehensive Plan and of adopted neighborhood, corridor or special area plans.
(b) The range of non-residential uses, and the development density of both residential and non-residential uses in MXC districts will vary depending on the size of the district and the type and intensity of the surrounding development. An MXC District shall include a mix of residential, retail, office, open space and public uses arranged in a fashion conducive to all forms of transportation.
(c) An MXC District shall be located along existing or planned high-capacity multi-modal transportation corridors.
(d) The MXC District master plan shall not create traffic or parking demands disproportionate to the facilities and improvements designed to meet those demands. (Am. by ORD-24-00001, 1-17-24)
(e) The MXC District master plan shall include open space suitable to the type and character of development proposed, including for projects with residential components, a mix of structured and natural spaces for use by residents and visitors. Areas for stormwater management, parking, or in the public right-of-way shall not be used to satisfy this requirement.
(f) The MXC District master plan shall include suitable assurances that each phase could be completed in a manner that would not result in an adverse effect upon the community as a result of termination at that point.
(3) Master Plan Required.
Prior to the issuance of permits for construction in an MXC District or as part of a zoning map amendment as prescribed in Sec. 28.182, MGO, establishing a MXC District a master plan shall be approved to guide development of the District in a manner consistent with the statement of purpose and requirements for this section.
(a) Contents of Master Plan. All MXC District master plans shall contain the following:
1. An accurate map of the District including its relationship to surrounding properties and existing topography and key features, including existing buildings and structures.
2. The arrangement of buildings, parking facilities, internal circulation of pedestrians and vehicles, access to individual development sites from public streets and internal drives, and the location of storm drainage facilities and open spaces within the District.
3. Identification of the minimum and maximum anticipated gross square footage for the overall District and its individual sites, and the minimum and maximum height of each proposed building within the District.
4. The general arrangement of individual lots, outlots, tracts, easements, and all dedications to the public to serve the MXC District. The master plan may be used as a preliminary subdivision plat if it includes all of the information required for a preliminary plat under Sec. 16.23(5)(a), MGO. The master plan may propose a planned multi-use site as defined in Sec. 28.211 and as governed by Sec. 28.137(2), provided that any planned multi-use site in the MXC District shall be governed by the requirements of this section where the requirements of Sec. 28.137 conflict.
5. A reciprocal land use agreement approved by the Director of Traffic Engineering, City Engineer and Director of Planning and Community and Economic Development recorded in the office of the Dane County Register of Deeds shall be required to govern shared access, circulation or parking within the District. (Am. by ORD-23-00098, 10-26-23)
6. When requested, a general outline of intended organizational structure related to property owner's association, deed restrictions and private provision of common services.
7. A schedule or phasing plan indicating the approximate dates when construction of the MXC District can be expected to begin and be completed.
8. Building design standards including the massing and composition of structures, orientation of windows and entries; doors and other elements of the facade, and primary facade materials and colors to be at least as restrictive as the minimum requirements in the General Provisions for Mixed-Use and Commercial Districts in Sec. 28.060, except that new buildings may have the functional entrance oriented to a private street if that street abuts a private parking area or other common amenity available for use by all tenants of the building. (Am. by ORD-17-00023, 2-20-17)
9. Site design standards including but not limited to the landscaping and screening of building sites, surface parking lots, and common open spaces, which shall be at least as restrictive as the minimum requirements in Landscaping and Screening Requirements in Sec. 28.142, and the signage of the MXC District as regulated by Chapter 31, Sign Code. (Am. by ORD-24-00018, 3-20-24)
(b) Decision on Master Plan.
1. The decision process for approval of a master plan, including any major alteration to an approved master plan, shall be as specified in Sec. 28.182, including a recommendation by the Plan Commission and action by the Common Council.
2. The applicant shall receive a recommendation on the master plan from the Urban Design Commission on the proposed arrangement of buildings, parking facilities, internal circulation of pedestrians and vehicles, and access to individual development sites from public streets and internal drives prior to the Plan Commission review.
3. The Urban Design Commission shall approve the building design and site design standards in (a) 8 and 9 above prior to the issuance of building permits prior to the issuance of permits for construction in an MXC District.
(4) Permitted and Conditional Uses.
See Table 28D-2 for a complete list of allowed uses within the mixed-use and commercial districts.
(5) Dimensional Requirements.
Requirements represent minimums unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are in feet unless otherwise noted.
Mixed-Use Center 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'. See (a) below
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.
Side yard | Approved as part of the master plan
Rear yard setback | Approved as part of the master plan
Maximum lot coverage | 85%
Maximum height | The maximum height of any building in the MXC district shall be established on the approved master plan. Any building exceeding 5 stories/78 feet shall require approval as a conditional use.
(a) Front Yard Setback.
1. On perimeter streets, a minimum of sixty percent (60%) of the lot frontage on the primary abutting street shall be occupied by buildings placed within forty (40) feet of the street right-of-way and with front or side facades oriented to the street.
2. On internal streets, a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the lot frontage on internal streets shall be occupied by buildings placed within twenty-five (25) feet of the street right-of-way or sidewalk edge, and with front or side facades oriented to the street.
(b) Rear or Side Yard Height Transition to Residential Districts. Where the MXC District abuts a residential district at the rear or side lot line, building height at the rear or side yard setback line shall not exceed the maximum height in feet allowed in the abutting district as a permitted use. From this point, building height may increase at a ratio of one foot of rise to one foot of horizontal distance away from the property line (a 45° angle) up to the maximum allowed height. Transitions exceeding this height and/or ratio limitation require conditional use approval. (See Figure D12) (Am. by ORD-14-00131, 8-13-14; Am. by ORD-25-00067, 10-16-25)
[image omitted; see the official code]
Figure D12: Rear or Side Yard Height Transition
(6) Site Standards. The following standards are applicable to new buildings and additions exceeding fifty percent (50%) of original building's floor area.
(a) Maximum Size. Buildings shall not exceed twenty-five thousand (25,000) square feet floor area for an individual establishment or forty thousand (40,000) square feet floor area for a mixed-use or multi-tenant building. Buildings exceeding this size may be allowed as conditional uses. All new retail establishments with a total gross floor area (GFA) of forty thousand (40,000) square feet or more are subject to review by the Urban Design Commission under the provisions of Sec. 33.24(4)(f). (Am. by ORD-15-00033, 4-8-15)
(b) Buildings shall be oriented to the primary abutting street or to an internal street, court, walkway or plaza, where one is present.
(c) All building facades visible from a public or private street or walkway shall employ materials and design features similar to or complementary to those of the front facade.
(d) At least twenty-five percent (25%) of the required parking shall be structured.
(e) For the Single-Family Attached, Small Multi-Family, Large Multi-Family and Courtyard Multi-Family Building Forms, surface parking shall not be located between any street and the plane of the principal building's corresponding street-facing facade.
(f) For all Building Forms other than (e) above, surface parking shall not be located between the primary street and the plane of the principal building's primary street-facing facade.
(g) Surface parking shall be divided into separate modules no greater in size than one hundred (100) spaces; modules shall be separated by buildings, landscaped open space areas, internal streets or landscaped pedestrian pathways at least twenty (20) feet in width.
(h) For Single-Family Attached, Small Multi-Family, Large Multi-Family, or Courtyard Multi-Family Building Forms, if parking is located on the side of the building, surface or structured parking shall occupy no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the frontage along the primary abutting street. For Large Multi-Family Buildings, structured parking at ground level shall not be visible from the front facade of the building.
(i) For all Building Forms other than (h) above, surface parking abutting the primary street frontage shall be limited to forty percent (40%) of the total lot width.
(j) Parking Buildings abutting any public or private street shall be designed with ground-floor retail or office uses fronting the primary street. Upper floors devoted solely to parking shall be stepped back from the principal facade and designed with materials and proportions similar to new commercial or mixed-use buildings.
(k) All new buildings or additions to existing buildings shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator in conformance with the building design standards and site design standards approved as part of the master plan per sub. (3)(a). Any appeal of the Zoning Administrator's decision on the application of the building design standards and site design standards shall be made to the Urban Design Commission for a determination.
(7) 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 and outdoor storage.
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. Bicycle-sharing facilities.
6. Temporary outdoor events.
7. Walk-up service windows.
8. Agricultural activities.
9. Drive-through windows. (Am. by ORD-24-00033, 6-3-24)
10. Solar energy systems and wind energy systems.
11. Yard sales.
12. Auto service stations.
13. Cemeteries.
14. Composting.
15. Outdoor recreation.
16. Keeping of chickens and keeping of honeybees.
17. Vacuuming and cleaning at car washes. (Cr. by ORD-21-00021, 3-15-21)
(8) Access and Circulation.
Any newly mapped MXC District shall take primary access from a collector or higher order street. A network of public or private streets and walkways may be used to provide circulation through the district. An internal system of streets, walkways, lanes and blocks shall be provided for districts of five (5) acres or more, and may be required as a condition of approval for a master plan or for conditional uses.
(9) Required Mix of Uses.
An MXC District larger than one (1) acre in net area shall contain uses from at least two (2) of the following categories:
(a) Commercial uses, including retail, service and office uses.
(b) Residential - family and group living categories.
(c) Civic and institutional uses.
(10) Required Open Space.
The MXC District shall include open space suitable to the type and character of development proposed.
(a) For projects with residential components, a mix of structured and natural spaces for use by residents and visitors.
(b) Any MXC District site greater than five (5) acres in size shall include common open space designed and improved as a plaza, square or green, comprising a minimum of five percent (5%) of the development site. Areas for stormwater management not designed and improved for recreational purposes, parking, or in the public right of way shall not be used to satisfy this requirement.
(c) Open space to serve the MXC District shall be distributed throughout the district and clearly dimensioned on the master plan.
(11) Construction Required.
Any MXC master plan not constructed in accordance to its approved phasing plan, and any phases not constructed within ten (10) years of the Common Council approval of the master plan, shall require approval of a new master plan by the Common Council following a recommendation by the Plan Commission and Urban Design Commission. In considering extensions of approved master plans for unconstructed components/phases, the commissions and council shall consider changes in the surrounding area or neighborhood since approval of the master plan that would render the project incompatible with current conditions.
(12) Changes to Master Plan.
Alterations to an approved master plan may be approved by the Plan Commission if the requested alterations are consistent with the concept approved by the Common Council, provided however, the Zoning Administrator may, following consideration by the alderperson of the district, issue permits for minor alterations that are approved by the Director of Planning and Community and Economic Development and are consistent with the concept approved by the Common Council. If the change or addition constitutes a substantial alteration of the original plan, the procedure in sub. (3) above is required.
(Am. by ORD-21-00028, 3-30-21, Eff. 4-9-21; Am. by ORD-21-00044, 6-14-21; Am. by ORD-25-00011, 3-8-25; Am. by ORD-26-00001, 1-23-26) (Am. by ORD-25-00067, 10-16-25) (Am. by ORD-24-00018, 3-20-24) (Sec. 28.066 Am. by ORD-16-00039, 4-8-16)
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_28.066MIUSCEMXDIFetched: 11/1/2026