Madison CHAPTER 114: APARTMENTS AND RENTAL PROPERTY; LODGING § 114.06
LICENSE APPROVAL
Operative Text
Upon receipt and registration of the application by the office of the City Clerk, that office shall authorize inspection of each structure. Upon written approval from the Building Inspector that the structure or structures meet the minimum standards as required by all applicable laws, ordinances, codes and standards, the license shall be issued to the owner. No license shall be issued, or be renewed, in the name of any owner who owns property in the city on which there are fees for trash hauling, alarm services and any other city services owed. Failure to keep all fees current is a violation of this chapter. (Ord. 1302, passed 3-27-1996)
Madison Chapter 114, § 114.06 establishes the process by which rental property licenses are issued in the city. After an application is filed with the City Clerk's office, a Building Inspector must inspect the property and provide written approval confirming it meets all applicable minimum standards before a license can be issued. Additionally, no license—whether new or renewed—may be issued to any owner who has outstanding unpaid fees for city services such as trash hauling or alarm services, and carrying such unpaid balances constitutes a violation of Chapter 114.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 114.06, compliant rental property operators in Madison ensure their structures are ready for Building Inspector review upon application submission and obtain written approval confirming the property meets all applicable codes and standards. Operators also maintain current payment of all city-assessed fees—including trash hauling and alarm services—since any outstanding balance on city-owned property can block both new license issuance and renewal. Keeping fee accounts current across all properties owned within the city is part of ongoing license compliance under this chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 114.06 of Madison's Chapter 114 means that a rental property operating in the city should hold a valid license, which can only be issued after a Building Inspector has confirmed the structure meets minimum legal standards. If a tenant has reason to believe a landlord is operating without a proper license—or that a license was issued despite unresolved code or fee issues—they may raise this as a potential violation with the City Clerk's office or a local tenant-rights organization. Consulting a tenant advocacy group familiar with Madison's rental regulations can help tenants understand what options may be available to them under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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