Skip to main content
Madison, WI Header
File #: 88006    Version: 1 Name: Places of Worship Seating Capacity
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 4/18/2025 In control: Attorney's Office
On agenda: 6/17/2025 Final action: 6/17/2025
Enactment date: 6/28/2025 Enactment #: ORD-25-00041
Title: Amending the Supplemental Regulations for ‘Places of Worship’ in Section 28.151 of the Madison General Ordinances related to their vehicular access requirements.
Sponsors: Derek Field, Yannette Figueroa Cole, John P. Guequierre
Attachments: 1. Zoning Text Memo 6-9-25 Places of Worship Street Classification.pdf
Fiscal Note
No CIty appropriation required.
Title
Amending the Supplemental Regulations for ‘Places of Worship’ in Section 28.151 of the Madison General Ordinances related to their vehicular access requirements.
Body
DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: This proposed code change amends the Supplemental Regulations (MGO Sec. 28.151) for “Places of Worship” to include a minimum seating capacity size for the sanctuary or main activity area of a new facility in order for it to be required to have vehicular access to a collector or higher classification street.

***********************************************************************************
The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:

1. Section 28.151 entitled “Applicability” of the Madison General Ordinances is amended by amending therein the following:

Place of Worship.
(a) A facility established after the effective date of this ordinance with seating capacity of greater than six hundred (600) persons in the sanctuary or main activity area and within a predominantly residential or mixed-use area shall have vehicular access to a collector or higher classification street.
(b) Any facility with seating capacity of greater than six hundred (600) persons in the sanctuary or main activity area shall be a conditional use. Such facility shall be located with vehicular access to a collector or higher classification street.
(c) Where the use is conditional, an appropriate transition area between the use and adjacent property may be required, using landscaping, screening, and other site improvements consistent with the character of the neighborhood.




Editor’s Note-
Title: Amending the definition of Supplemental Regulations for ‘Place Places of Worship’ in Section 28.151 of the Madison General Ordinances related to their vehicular access requirements.

Drafter’s Analysis: This proposed code change amends the Supplemental Regulations (MGO Sec. 28.151) for “Places of Worship” to include a minimum seat...

Click here for full text