Madison alders approve plans allowing more duplexes, splitting backyard lots for second units

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – The Madison Common Council has approved plans alders said will increase the housing supply across the city. 

The housing shortage has become a big picture crisis in Dane County. We have some of the lowest vacancy rates in the country. 

By 2050, the area is expected to have 115,000 more residents than it does now. In the shorter term, city officials are planning to add 15,000 homes by 2030 to keep up with that population growth. 

Tuesday night, city officials approved three separate proposals they said would create more diverse types of housing throughout the city. 

Duplexes are currently allowed in about one-third of Madison. One of the proposals passed Tuesday allows duplexes everywhere. 

Another allows people who have “deep” lots to split up their property to build another unit in their backyard. 

The third change makes zoning rules simpler in the city. 

“We all know that there’s no single solution to the housing crisis,” said Alder Davy Mayer, who represents a large portion of the isthmus. “Just as a single screwdriver in a toolbox isn’t gonna do much, we need a full toolbox of things at our disposal to help address this. I think these are the first three that’ll go a long ways, and we’ll see what comes next. 

The three proposals passed unanimously.