Madison Wisconsin site plan example showing property boundaries, buildings, paved areas, access and site dimensions — Site plan example showing property boundaries, buildings, paved areas, access and dimensions. The pictured Argosy Court property appears in City records in a nonresidential context, so the drawing is provided only as an example of site-plan presentation. Residential requirements must be verified for the actual Madison property and project.

Site Plan for Permit in Madison, WI: Garages, Sheds and Additions

Building a garage, installing a shed or adding space to a home in Madison usually involves more than construction drawings. The City also needs to understand where the proposed work will be placed on the property.

A site plan for a permit in Madison, Wisconsin is a scaled overhead drawing showing the legal lot boundaries, existing buildings, proposed construction and important distances. It allows zoning staff to review setbacks, building placement, accessory-building area, paved surfaces and the relationship between the new project and the rest of the property.

Madison’s site-plan guidance says that a survey map is not ordinarily required for every project, but an accurate site plan must be submitted for the projects covered by the guidance. The plan must be drawn to scale and must accurately represent the placement of structures and paved areas.^[1]

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Is a Site Plan Required for Every Madison Permit?

No. A site plan is not required for every type of residential work.

Interior projects that do not change the exterior building footprint may use floor plans and construction details without requiring a new property-layout drawing. Examples can include certain kitchen renovations, bathroom alterations or replacement work.

A site plan is much more likely to be required when a project affects:

the footprint of a house or accessory building;
the location of a garage or shed;
setbacks from property lines;
distance between buildings;
driveways or other paved areas;
yard and open-space requirements;
grading or surface drainage;
easements;
lakefront setbacks; or
another exterior feature regulated by zoning.

Madison’s permit list confirms that new garages and residential additions require permits. Sheds may require permits depending on their size, heating and distance from dwelling units.^[6]

Projects Covered in This Guide

Project	General Madison requirement
New attached or detached garage	A permit and scaled site plan are required.
Shed over 150 square feet	A permit and site plan are required.
Heated shed	A permit is required regardless of whether it is under 150 square feet.
Shed less than 10 feet from a dwelling	A permit is required, and fire-separation requirements may apply.
Small qualifying shed	A shed no larger than 150 square feet that is unheated and at least 10 feet from dwelling units may be permit-exempt, but zoning rules still apply.
Home addition or screened porch	A permit, site plan and complete construction drawings are required.

What Must a Madison Site Plan Show?

The City requires a site plan to accurately show the entire property, not just the proposed structure.

For garages, sheds and additions, the plan should generally include:

Basic drawing information

complete property address;
north arrow;
drawing scale;
drawing date;
project description; and
clear labels distinguishing existing and proposed work.

Property information

all legal property boundaries;
length of each property line;
street and alley names;
lot width and depth;
known easements;
the applicable zoning district; and
lake or shoreline information where applicable.

Existing improvements

existing house;
attached garage;
detached garage;
existing sheds and accessory buildings;
decks and porches;
driveways and parking areas;
sidewalks and paved walkways;
patios;
retaining walls; and
other structures affecting the proposed location.

Proposed work

proposed garage, shed or addition footprint;
overall length and width;
distance to every affected property line;
distance to the house and other structures;
roof or eave projections where relevant;
garage-door and access locations;
new or expanded paving;
stairs, ramps or landings;
construction access; and
changes to the existing yard layout.

The City’s site-plan handout also instructs applicants to include paved areas, the property address, scale and north direction. Satellite or aerial imagery should not be used as the submitted site plan.^[1]

Accepted Drawing Scales

A Madison permit site plan must be drawn to an accepted scale.

The City’s site-plan handout lists architectural scales such as:

1/16 inch equals 1 foot;
3/32 inch equals 1 foot;
1/8 inch equals 1 foot;
3/16 inch equals 1 foot;
1/4 inch equals 1 foot;
3/8 inch equals 1 foot; and
1/2 inch equals 1 foot.

Engineering or landscape scales may include:

1 inch equals 10 feet;
1 inch equals 20 feet;
1 inch equals 30 feet;
1 inch equals 40 feet;
1 inch equals 50 feet; and
1 inch equals 60 feet.^[1]

The selected scale should allow the complete property and all required dimensions to remain readable.

Madison Garage Permit Site Plans

A permit is required to build any garage attached to or detached from a single-family house or duplex.^[2]

The first step is to confirm the property’s zoning. Zoning can affect:

garage placement;
required side and rear setbacks;
front-yard restrictions;
building height;
total accessory-building area;
driveway placement;
corner-lot conditions; and
whether special approval is needed.

General detached-garage placement guidance

For many residential properties, the City provides the following general guidance:

a detached garage should be at least 3 feet from side and rear lot lines;
it must be at least 3 feet from the house or another structure;
a location within the rear 40 feet of the lot is more likely to comply;
a garage beside the house may require more than a 3-foot side setback; and
corner and irregularly shaped lots can have different requirements.^[2]

Do not use the three-foot guidance as a guaranteed setback. The property’s zoning district, lot configuration and garage position determine the actual requirement.

Garage height and accessory-building area

The City’s current garage guidance identifies:

a general maximum detached-garage height of 15 feet; and
a maximum combined accessory-building footprint of 1,000 square feet, including detached garages and sheds.

Garage height is measured from the ground to a point midway between the roof eave and the roof’s highest point. Conditional-use approval may allow a larger combined accessory-building area.^[2]

Driveway information

Madison states that a driveway serving a garage must be at least 8 feet wide at the sidewalk.

The site plan should show:

existing driveway width;
proposed driveway or extension;
garage-door location;
driveway connection to the street or alley;
sidewalk location;
parking layout;
distance to property lines; and
new paving.

A new or enlarged driveway opening requires separate coordination with Zoning and the Engineering Division.^[2]

Garage construction drawings

The site plan explains where the garage will be located. Separate construction drawings normally show:

foundation or slab design;
floor plan;
wall framing;
roof framing or trusses;
building elevations;
doors and windows;
building height;
fire-separation details; and
electrical, heating or plumbing work where proposed.

Madison asks for two sets of scaled construction plans in addition to the site plan for a paper garage submission.^[2]

Madison Shed Permit Site Plans

Whether a shed requires a building permit depends on its area, use and proximity to dwelling units.

When a shed permit is required

A permit is required when the shed or accessory building is:

larger than 150 square feet;
heated; or
less than 10 feet from a dwelling unit on the property.^[3]

This applies to:

site-built sheds;
prefabricated sheds;
sheds constructed elsewhere and delivered to the property;
garden storage buildings; and
other structures fitting the City’s accessory-building criteria.

When a shed may be permit-exempt

A shed may be constructed without a building permit when it is:

150 square feet or smaller;
unheated; and
at least 10 feet from all dwelling units on the property.

The shed must still comply with zoning placement, height and accessory-building area rules.^[3]

General shed placement guidance

For many residential properties, Madison identifies the following general rules:

at least 3 feet from the house and other structures;
at least 3 feet from side and rear property lines;
placement in the rear 40 feet of the lot is more likely to comply;
side-yard placement may require a larger setback; and
corner and irregular lots require property-specific review.^[3]

If a shed is closer than 10 feet to the house, fire-separation construction is required even though the general zoning separation may be smaller.

Shed height and cumulative area

The current general guidance limits a shed or accessory building to 15 feet in height. The combined ground-floor footprint of sheds, detached garages and other accessory buildings generally cannot exceed 1,000 square feet without conditional-use approval.^[3]

The site plan should therefore show every existing accessory building—not only the new shed.

Madison Home Addition Site Plans

A home addition changes the footprint of the principal building and requires zoning and building review.

Additions can include:

new bedrooms;
family rooms;
kitchen expansions;
mudrooms;
attached garages;
screened porches;
enclosed porches;
rear or side additions; and
other new enclosed floor area.

The addition must meet the setback and yard requirements of the property’s zoning district. A deep house or unusually shaped lot can change the required side-yard dimensions.^[4]

What the addition site plan must show

Madison instructs applicants to draw the entire property and include:

all existing and proposed structures;
lot dimensions;
house dimensions;
addition dimensions;
other structure dimensions;
distance from the addition to each affected lot line; and
distance from the addition to other buildings.^[4]

A thorough addition plan can also show:

roof overhangs;
stairs and landings;
decks and porches;
window wells;
retaining walls;
existing and proposed paving;
utility equipment;
easements;
surface drainage; and
construction access.

Other addition drawings

In addition to the site plan, the City generally asks for:

floor plans;
exterior elevations;
building cross-sections; and
a heat-loss calculation for newly heated spaces.^[4]

Depending on the project, foundation plans, framing details, energy documentation and separate electrical, plumbing or HVAC permits may also be required.

Setbacks Depend on Zoning

Madison does not use one universal residential setback for every garage, shed or addition.

The required distance depends on factors such as:

the property’s zoning district;
whether the building is attached or detached;
whether it is in a side or rear yard;
whether the lot is a corner lot;
whether the corner is reversed;
lot width and depth;
the existing house position;
Planned Development zoning;
historic-district status;
lakefront conditions; and
previous zoning approvals or variances.

Chapter 28 of the Madison General Ordinances contains the City’s zoning rules. Applicants should confirm the current zoning and obtain property-specific guidance before finalizing the drawing.^[12]

Do You Need a Survey?

Madison’s general site-plan handout says the Zoning Office does not require a survey map for every ordinary project. An owner may prepare a site plan using reliable property information.^[1]

A professional survey may still be needed when:

property corners cannot be found;
the proposed structure is close to a boundary;
neighbours disagree about the lot line;
the parcel is irregularly shaped;
the existing fence does not match available records;
an easement is close to the project;
the City requests certified information; or
the property is lakefront.

Lakefront properties

For lakefront garage, shed and addition projects, Madison requires a survey prepared by a registered land surveyor.

The survey must show existing setbacks from buildings on adjacent lots to the Ordinary High Water Mark.^[2]^[3]^[4]

Do Not Assume the Fence Is the Property Line

The City warns that sidewalks, curbs, fences and shrubs do not necessarily identify legal lot boundaries.

Where a property has a public sidewalk, the private property line may be approximately 6 to 12 inches closer to the house than the sidewalk edge. The precise condition must be verified for the property.^[1]

An existing fence may be:

inside the subject property;
inside the neighbouring property;
offset from the legal boundary;
built around landscaping;
located in an easement; or
partly within the public right-of-way.

Setbacks should be measured from verified lot boundaries rather than convenient physical features.

Show All Paved Areas

Madison’s site-plan handout specifically instructs applicants to show paved areas.^[1]

These can include:

driveways;
parking pads;
walkways;
patios;
concrete aprons;
garage access;
alley connections; and
other impervious surfaces.

Paved areas matter because they can affect:

vehicle access;
parking compliance;
yard and open-space calculations;
stormwater runoff;
drainage patterns;
street or alley access; and
work within the public right-of-way.

Drainage, Grading and Erosion Control

Construction of an addition, garage or shed can alter how rainwater and snowmelt move across the property.

A new structure may:

add roof runoff;
block an existing drainage path;
redirect water toward the house;
send water toward a neighbouring property;
require soil excavation or fill;
affect a drainage easement; or
create erosion during construction.

Madison oversees erosion-control compliance for single- and two-family construction sites that create land disturbance. The level of documentation depends on the project and disturbed area.^[8]

A more detailed plan may show:

existing and proposed grades;
surface-flow arrows;
roof gutters and downspouts;
swales;
retaining walls;
low points;
erosion-control measures;
construction entrances; and
areas of soil disturbance.

Drainage easements

A stormwater connection permit may be required for construction or grading within or next to certain public or private drainage easements. The City expressly lists additions, sheds and garages among the activities that can affect a drainage pattern.^[9]

Historic Properties and Districts

Exterior work on a designated landmark or property in a local historic district may require Landmarks Commission review.

This can apply to:

home additions;
screened porches;
new garages;
replacement garages;
sheds visible from the street;
demolition; and
other work changing the property’s exterior appearance.

The Landmarks Commission reviews exterior changes, demolitions and new construction involving designated landmarks and historic-district properties.^[7]

Important Note About the Featured Argosy Court Image

The supplied image filename identifies 4230 Argosy Court.

City records show that address in nonresidential site-plan-review activity, including commercial tenant areas and bike-parking installation. The image should therefore be used only as an example of:

site-plan drafting style;
property-boundary presentation;
building and pavement labeling;
access and circulation;
site dimensions; and
overall drawing organization.^[10]

Do not describe the image as:

a typical single-family home site plan;
an approved residential garage plan;
an approved shed plan;
a residential addition example; or
evidence that the depicted dimensions meet residential zoning.

Digital Plan Submission Requirements

Madison accepts digital plans for one- and two-family residential projects.

The current digital-submission requirements include:

submit plans as PDF files;
CAD-drafted and hand-drawn plans are both acceptable when they meet the drawing requirements;
scanned hand drawings must be converted to PDF;
photographs of plans are not accepted;
the site plan must appear on its own separate page;
building plans should be grouped into one PDF;
supplemental documents may be submitted as separate PDFs;
all documents for one project must be submitted together;
cloud-storage links are not accepted;
11-by-17-inch sheets are preferred;
24-by-36 inches is the maximum sheet size;
each page must identify its scale and drawing title; and
only one scale should be used on each page.^[5]

Can the Site Plan Be Hand-Drawn?

Yes. Madison accepts site plans drafted with a computer or drawn by hand, provided the plan is:

accurate;
drawn to an accepted scale;
legible;
properly dimensioned;
complete; and
submitted in the required format.

A hand-drawn plan submitted digitally must be scanned and converted to PDF. A phone photograph of the drawing is not accepted.^[5]

Typical Madison Permit Process

Confirm that the property is inside the City of Madison. A Madison mailing address can sometimes belong to another municipality.
Identify the project type. Determine whether the work is a garage, shed, addition, screened porch or another structure.
Check whether a permit is required. Shed requirements depend on area, heating and distance from dwelling units.
Confirm the zoning district. Check setbacks, building placement, height and accessory-building area.
Locate the legal property boundaries. Use reliable records or a professional survey where necessary.
Document existing conditions. Measure the house, garages, sheds, paved areas and other structures.
Prepare the scaled site plan. Show the full property and all required dimensions.
Review the site plan with Zoning. The City recommends this before submitting the complete permit package.
Prepare construction drawings. Add floor plans, foundations, elevations, sections and structural details.
Identify special approvals. Check historic status, lakefront conditions, erosion control and drainage easements.
Submit all plans together. Follow the City’s paper or digital submission requirements.
Respond to review comments. Correct the site plan or building drawings where required.
Pay the applicable fees.
Receive the permit before construction starts.
Schedule required inspections.
Obtain final approval.

Required Inspections

The inspection sequence depends on the project and construction method.

Possible inspections include:

footing inspection before concrete placement;
foundation inspection;
under-slab inspection;
rough framing inspection;
electrical inspection;
plumbing inspection;
HVAC inspection;
insulation inspection; and
final inspection.

It is the permit holder’s responsibility to schedule required inspections and avoid covering work before it has been inspected.^[11]

Common Madison Site Plan Mistakes

Using an aerial photograph as the submitted site plan.
Submitting a drawing without a stated scale.
Leaving the north arrow off the plan.
Showing only the proposed structure instead of the entire property.
Failing to show all existing garages and sheds.
Leaving paved areas off the drawing.
Measuring setbacks from a fence rather than the legal boundary.
Assuming the sidewalk edge is the property line.
Using three feet as a guaranteed setback without checking zoning.
Failing to show the distance between the new building and the house.
Leaving roof overhangs out of a tight setback condition.
Failing to include an existing shed in the 1,000-square-foot accessory-building total.
Assuming every shed under 150 square feet is permit-exempt.
Ignoring the 10-foot dwelling-separation condition for permit exemption.
Failing to show fire separation for a shed close to the house.
Leaving driveway changes off a garage plan.
Ignoring a drainage easement.
Failing to obtain a lakefront survey.
Ignoring historic-district review.
Submitting photos of drawings instead of PDF plans.
Submitting incomplete documents in several separate emails.
Starting construction before permit issuance.

How Our Madison Site Plan Service Works

Send the property address. We review available property and mapping information.
Describe the project. Tell us whether it is a garage, shed, home addition or screened porch.
Provide the proposed dimensions. Include the intended location and distances where known.
Upload available documents. A survey, property sketch, contractor plan or City correction notice can improve the drawing.
We prepare the site plan. The plan can show the boundaries, house, accessory buildings, proposed work, paved areas and setbacks.
Review the draft. Confirm all customer-supplied dimensions before using the plan for permit coordination.

Order a Madison Permit Site Plan

Need a clear site plan for a garage, shed, screened porch or home addition in Madison?

Send us the address, proposed dimensions and any available survey, contractor sketch or City review comments.

Order Your Site Plan

USA Site Plans prepares residential drafting plans using customer-supplied information and available property sources. Our standard drawings are unsigned and are not certified boundary surveys, structural engineering plans, architectural plans, grading certificates or guarantees of permit approval. A Wisconsin land surveyor, architect, engineer or other qualified professional may be required depending on the project and property.

Madison Site Plan FAQs

Does a new garage require a permit in Madison?

Yes. A permit is required for any new attached or detached garage serving a single-family home or duplex.

Does the garage application require a site plan?

Yes. The plan must show all existing and proposed structures, property dimensions and distances to lot lines and other structures.

How close can a detached garage be to a property line?

The City’s general guidance identifies three feet from rear and side boundaries for many locations. The actual setback must be confirmed using the property’s zoning and garage placement.

How far must a detached garage be from the house?

The general zoning guidance identifies at least three feet from the house or another structure. Building-code requirements may require additional construction measures depending on the separation.

What is the maximum detached-garage height?

The City’s current general guidance identifies 15 feet, measured from the ground to the midpoint between the eave and roof peak.

How much accessory-building area is permitted?

The combined footprint of detached garages, sheds and other accessory buildings generally cannot exceed 1,000 square feet without conditional-use approval.

Does every shed require a permit?

No. A shed no larger than 150 square feet may be permit-exempt when it is unheated and at least 10 feet from dwelling units on the property.

Does a prefabricated shed need a permit?

It does when it exceeds the permit threshold, is heated or is less than 10 feet from a dwelling. The fact that it was manufactured elsewhere does not remove the permit requirement.

Can a permit-exempt shed be placed anywhere?

No. It must still comply with zoning, setbacks, height and total accessory-building area.

How close can a shed be to the house?

General zoning guidance identifies three feet, but a shed less than 10 feet from a dwelling requires a permit and fire-separation review.

Does a home addition require a site plan?

Yes. The site plan must show the entire property, the addition and its relationship to lot lines and other structures.

What other drawings are needed for an addition?

The City generally asks for floor plans, exterior elevations, a cross-section and a heat-loss calculation for newly heated space.

Can the site plan be hand-drawn?

Yes, provided it is accurate, legible, complete and drawn to an accepted scale.

Can I submit a phone photograph of my drawing?

No. Hand-drawn plans submitted digitally must be scanned and converted to PDF.

Can I use an aerial image as the site plan?

No. Madison’s site-plan instructions state that aerial satellite imagery should not be included as the site plan.

Does the plan need to show driveways?

Yes. The City instructs applicants to show paved areas, which include driveways, parking areas and other paving.

Is a property survey always required?

No. The Zoning Office does not generally require a survey map for every ordinary project. A survey may be required when boundaries are uncertain or the property has special conditions.

Is a survey required for a lakefront property?

Yes. Madison requires a registered land surveyor’s survey for lakefront garage, shed and addition projects.

Can I measure the setback from my fence?

Not safely. Fences do not necessarily mark legal property boundaries.

Does the site plan need a north arrow?

Yes. The property address, scale and direction of north should appear on the drawing.

Does the site plan need to be on its own page?

For digital submission, the City requires the site plan to appear on a separate page within the plan set.

Can different scales be used on one drawing page?

No. Madison’s digital-plan instructions say to use one scale per page.

Do historic properties need extra approval?

They may. Exterior work on landmarks and properties in local historic districts can require Landmarks Commission review.

Can drainage easements affect a garage or shed?

Yes. Construction or grading within or next to certain drainage easements can require stormwater review or a separate permit.

Can the site plan be revised after City comments?

Yes. It can be updated using corrected dimensions, zoning comments, survey information or a revised project layout.

Official Sources

Madison’s zoning, permit and site-plan requirements can change. Individual properties may also be affected by Planned Development zoning, corner-lot conditions, lakefront regulations, historic-district review, drainage easements, erosion-control requirements and previous approvals. Confirm current property-specific requirements with the City before construction.