What are the typical residential setbacks in Milwaukee?

In RT1 zones, front setbacks are 25 feet, side setbacks 5 feet, and rear setbacks 25 feet with 35% lot coverage and 35-foot height maximum. RT2 compact zones have 20-foot front and 4-foot side setbacks with 40% coverage. Corner lots require 10-foot street-side setbacks in most residential zones.

What historic preservation requirements apply?

Milwaukee has local historic districts (Third Ward, Brady Street, Brewers Hill, and others) requiring HPC Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior work. Wisconsin offers a generous 25% state historic tax credit for qualified rehabilitation, one of the most favorable in the nation, combinable with 20% federal credits for income-producing properties.

What stormwater management is required?

Chapter 120 governs stormwater for new development. MMSD regional standards apply throughout the service area. Milwaukee strongly encourages green infrastructure through its Green Infrastructure Plan. Monthly stormwater utility fees are based on impervious surface with credits available for rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavement.

What lakefront and riverwalk requirements apply?

Properties along Lake Michigan have a Lakefront Overlay with special setback, height, and design requirements. Development along the Milwaukee River must incorporate Riverwalk extensions and provide public access. These requirements can significantly affect site design for waterfront properties.

How do I submit plans to DNS?

Submit through Milwaukee's DNS online portal at milwaukee.gov/dns for electronic review. Upload plans in PDF, pay fees, and track status. Walk-in service is at 841 N. Broadway, 1st Floor.

Does Milwaukee require parking for new residential?

Yes, per Chapter 295 Subchapter 9. Single-family requires 1-2 spaces, multi-family 1 space per unit in most zones. Some downtown and transit-oriented areas have reduced or eliminated parking minimums. Maximum parking limits apply in some commercial zones to prevent excess surface parking.

What are the Wisconsin historic tax credits?

Wisconsin offers a 25% state historic tax credit for qualified rehabilitation of certified historic structures — one of the most generous in the nation. This can be combined with 20% federal credits for income-producing properties, providing up to 45% of qualified rehabilitation costs in tax credits.

How long does Milwaukee plan review take?

Residential plan review takes 10-15 business days. Commercial takes 20-30 business days. HPC historic review adds 30-60 days. MMSD coordination may add time for larger projects.

Milwaukee Site Plan Requirements & Permit Guide (2025)

By Site Plan Creator Team • March 6, 2026

Guide to creating site plans for building permits in Milwaukee, including Department of Neighborhood Services requirements.

Milwaukee Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin requires meeting specific requirements set by the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS). Milwaukee's development is governed by Chapter 295 (Zoning Code) of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances, with special considerations for the city's historic Third Ward, lakefront development, and green infrastructure initiatives.

What Is a Site Plan and Why Does Milwaukee Require One?

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. DNS requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with Chapter 295 and the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code. Look up your property's zoning through the city's property information portal at itmdapps.milwaukee.gov.

Required Site Plan Elements for DNS

Property boundaries with accurate dimensions and total lot area
Setbacks from all property lines per Chapter 295
Existing structures with square footage, height, and use
Proposed construction clearly distinguished from existing
Lot coverage calculation
Parking spaces per Chapter 295, Subchapter 9
Driveways and access with dimensions
Landscaping and screening per zoning requirements
Stormwater management features
North arrow and scale
Tax key number

Milwaukee Zoning and Setback Requirements

RT1 (Single-Family, standard lot): Front 25 feet, side 5 feet, rear 25 feet. Lot coverage max 35%. Height max 35 feet.
RT2 (Single-Family, compact lot): Front 20 feet, side 4 feet, rear 25 feet. Lot coverage max 40%.
RT3 (Two-Family): Front 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 25 feet. Lot coverage max 40%.
RT4 (Multi-Family, low): Front 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 25 feet. Lot coverage max 50%.
RM3-RM7 (Multi-Family, moderate to high): Increasing density with modified setbacks.
Corner lots: Street-side setback is 10 feet for most residential zones.

Historic Preservation Requirements

Milwaukee has significant historic districts overseen by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC):

Local historic districts: Including the Third Ward Historic District, Brady Street, Brewers Hill, and others requiring Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior work
Individual landmarks: Protected structures requiring HPC review
Wisconsin Historic Tax Credits: 25% state credit for qualified rehabilitation of certified historic structures, among the most generous in the nation
Federal Historic Tax Credits: 20% credit for income-producing historic properties
HPC review adds 30-60 days to the timeline

Stormwater Management Requirements

Milwaukee's stormwater requirements address Lake Michigan water quality and combined sewer overflow:

Chapter 120: Governs stormwater management for new development and redevelopment
MMSD (Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District): Regional stormwater standards apply to all development
Green infrastructure: Milwaukee strongly encourages rain gardens, bioretention, green roofs, permeable pavement, and rain barrels through its Green Infrastructure Plan
Stormwater utility fee: Monthly fee based on impervious surface with credits for green infrastructure
MMSD requirements: Projects in the MMSD service area must comply with regional discharge limits and water quality standards

Lakefront and Riverwalk Development

Lakefront Overlay: Properties along the Lake Michigan shoreline have special setback, height, and design requirements
Riverwalk standards: Development along the Milwaukee River must incorporate Riverwalk extensions and public access
Public access requirements: Waterfront developments must provide public access to the shoreline or river

How to Submit Your Site Plan

Online Portal

Submit through Milwaukee's DNS online portal at milwaukee.gov/dns for electronic plan review.

In-Person

Walk-in at 841 N. Broadway, 1st Floor for applications.

Permit Fees and Timeline

Plan review fees: Per DNS fee schedule
Building permit fees: From construction cost
Timeline: Residential 10-15 business days. Commercial 20-30 business days. HPC review adds 30-60 days.

Creating Your Milwaukee Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your Milwaukee property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for DNS submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical residential setbacks in Milwaukee?: In RT1 zones, front setbacks are 25 feet, side setbacks 5 feet, and rear setbacks 25 feet with 35% lot coverage and 35-foot height maximum. RT2 compact zones have 20-foot front and 4-foot side setbacks with 40% coverage. Corner lots require 10-foot street-side setbacks in most residential zones.
What historic preservation requirements apply?: Milwaukee has local historic districts (Third Ward, Brady Street, Brewers Hill, and others) requiring HPC Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior work. Wisconsin offers a generous 25% state historic tax credit for qualified rehabilitation, one of the most favorable in the nation, combinable with 20% federal credits for income-producing properties.
What stormwater management is required?: Chapter 120 governs stormwater for new development. MMSD regional standards apply throughout the service area. Milwaukee strongly encourages green infrastructure through its Green Infrastructure Plan. Monthly stormwater utility fees are based on impervious surface with credits available for rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavement.
What lakefront and riverwalk requirements apply?: Properties along Lake Michigan have a Lakefront Overlay with special setback, height, and design requirements. Development along the Milwaukee River must incorporate Riverwalk extensions and provide public access. These requirements can significantly affect site design for waterfront properties.
How do I submit plans to DNS?: Submit through Milwaukee's DNS online portal at milwaukee.gov/dns for electronic review. Upload plans in PDF, pay fees, and track status. Walk-in service is at 841 N. Broadway, 1st Floor.
Does Milwaukee require parking for new residential?: Yes, per Chapter 295 Subchapter 9. Single-family requires 1-2 spaces, multi-family 1 space per unit in most zones. Some downtown and transit-oriented areas have reduced or eliminated parking minimums. Maximum parking limits apply in some commercial zones to prevent excess surface parking.
What are the Wisconsin historic tax credits?: Wisconsin offers a 25% state historic tax credit for qualified rehabilitation of certified historic structures — one of the most generous in the nation. This can be combined with 20% federal credits for income-producing properties, providing up to 45% of qualified rehabilitation costs in tax credits.
How long does Milwaukee plan review take?: Residential plan review takes 10-15 business days. Commercial takes 20-30 business days. HPC historic review adds 30-60 days. MMSD coordination may add time for larger projects.

How to Create a Site Plan in Milwaukee

Look Up Your Property Information: Use Milwaukee's property information portal at itmdapps.milwaukee.gov to find your zoning district, historic district status, lakefront/riverwalk overlay, and lot dimensions. Note your tax key number.
Determine Review Requirements: Check for historic district, lakefront overlay, or riverwalk requirements. Determine stormwater management obligations and MMSD compliance needs.
Create Your Site Plan: Enter your Milwaukee address in Site Plan Creator to load property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. Add setback lines per Chapter 295.
Include All Required Elements: Ensure your site plan includes property boundaries, setbacks, lot coverage, parking, landscaping, stormwater features, and north arrow with scale.
Prepare Supporting Documents: For historic districts, prepare HPC application. Prepare stormwater management plans for regulated projects. For lakefront/riverwalk properties, prepare compliance documentation.
Submit Through DNS Portal: Upload plans through the DNS online portal. Pay fees and track status. Submit HPC applications concurrently if in a historic district.
Manage Review and Obtain Permit: Respond to DNS reviewer comments. Attend HPC meetings if required. Once approved, pay final fees, receive permit, and schedule inspections.