A small change to Madison’s 50-year-old zoning rules could increase housing choice, equity, and supply, according to a Wisconsin State Journal report. The change to the code restrictions banning no more than two unrelated renters from living together would impact about one-third of the city’s land, mostly in areas with single-family homes. The code currently bases the restrictions around the definition of “family” and under the code, a family is an individual or two or more persons related by blood, marriage, domestic partnership, or legal adoption living together as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit. It bans more than two unrelated renters from living together in nine residential districts across the city and proponents of the changes argue the old restrictions favor homeownership over renting. In 2019, 52.7% of whites, 30% of Hispanics, and just 15.3% of Blacks owned homes in Madison, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum.
The Building Inspection Division (BID) informally but unanimously endorsed changing the current definition of family and encouraged staff to prepare alternatives. After gathering input, the BID would like to craft a change as soon as feasible for introduction to the council, followed by a hearing before the Plan Commission and council consideration.
