Selling your home without an agent inMadison, Wisconsin

Wis. Stat. § 709.02(1), operative sentence

For a covered Wisconsin sale or option, the owner must furnish the prospective buyer the applicable completed § 709.03 or § 709.033 report no later than ten days after contract acceptance, subject to § 709.035.

Wis. Stat. § 709.02(1), second sentence

A covered Wisconsin buyer who does not receive the report within ten days may rescind by written notice within two business days after that ten-day period and is entitled to return of deposits or option fees.

Wis. Stat. § 709.05(1), operative clause

When the exact § 709.05 conditions are met for a report containing a qualifying defect disclosure, a Wisconsin buyer may rescind in writing within two business days after receipt without liability and recover deposits or option fees.

Wis. Stat. § 709.05(3)

A Wisconsin § 709.05 rescission is timely when delivered to the owner or owner’s agent within two business days after the buyer or buyer’s agent receives the report, amended report, or amendment.

42 U.S.C. § 4851b(27)

Federal lead-disclosure law generally defines target housing as housing constructed before 1978, subject to the statutory elderly, disability, zero-bedroom, child-occupancy, and jurisdiction-specific exceptions.

42 U.S.C. § 4852d(a)(1)(B)

Before a purchaser or lessee is contractually obligated for target housing, the seller or lessor must disclose known lead-based paint or hazards and provide available lead-hazard evaluation reports.

42 U.S.C. § 4852d(a)(1)(C)

For a target-housing sale, the seller must permit the purchaser a 10-day lead risk-assessment or inspection period unless the parties mutually agree to a different period.

MGO 41.17(7)

Applies in Madison city

A Certificate of Approval expires two years after issuance unless a building permit is obtained within that period.

Landmarks Commission > Ordinance update

Applies in Madison city

Madison’s 2025 ordinance update changed the local approval terminology from “Certificate of Appropriateness” to “Certificate of Approval.”

Landmarks Commission > Ordinance update

Applies in Madison city

The City reports that the Common Council-approved 2025 historic-preservation amendments took effect June 27, 2025.

Madison’s Historic Preservation Program

Applies in Madison city

Madison describes its National Register districts as honorary and managed by state and federal preservation authorities, distinct from local districts and landmarks regulated by the Madison Landmarks Commission.

MGO 41.09(1)

Applies in Madison city

Madison requires a Certificate of Approval before adding a structure to a landmark or landmark site, materially altering a landmark or its exterior, demolishing or relocating it, installing an exterior sign, or completing a listed potentially impairing land division or voluntary easement.

MGO 41.12

Applies in Madison city

Within a Madison historic district, a Certificate of Approval is required before new construction, material exterior alteration, demolition or relocation, sign installation, or a listed potentially distracting lot division, consolidation, or voluntary easement.

MGO 41.16

Applies in Madison city

MGO 41.16 requires a Certificate of Approval for every action identified in MGO 41.09 and 41.12.

MGO 41.17(3)(a)-(f)

Applies in Madison city

A Landmarks Commission public hearing is required for the listed projects, including landmark or district demolition/removal, a new principal structure, an accessory structure over 150 square feet excluding decks and open porches, land divisions or combinations, and a covered exterior footprint increase over 150 square feet.

MGO 41.17(4)

Applies in Madison city

Projects not requiring a public hearing may be assigned to the Preservation Planner for administrative approval or denial only under written policies adopted by the Landmarks Commission.

MGO 41.17(5)

Applies in Madison city

The determination period may be extended by another 60 days with the applicant’s written agreement.

MGO 41.17(5)

Applies in Madison city

Failure to approve or deny within the determination period is deemed a denial on the period’s last day.

MGO 41.17(5)

Applies in Madison city

Within 60 days after the completeness finding, the Preservation Planner or Landmarks Commission must approve, conditionally approve, or deny the Certificate of Approval application under the applicable standards.

MGO 41.17(6)

Applies in Madison city

After an application is approved, the Preservation Planner issues the Certificate of Approval to the property owner.

MGO 41.17(8)

Applies in Madison city

After conditional Landmarks Commission approval, an applicant has one year to meet the conditions and secure the Certificate of Approval.

MGO 41.17(9)

Applies in Madison city

If approved plans still meet the Commission’s conditions after a certificate expires, the Preservation Planner may, after consulting the district alder, extend approval up to 12 months from expiration.

MGO 41.18(1)(a)

Applies in Madison city

Exterior alteration to a designated Madison landmark must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation to receive a Certificate of Approval.

MGO 41.18(1)(c)

Applies in Madison city

Exterior alteration or construction in a Madison historic district must meet that district’s adopted standards and guidelines to receive a Certificate of Approval.

MGO 41.20(2)

Applies in Madison city

An eligible appellant must file a Certificate of Approval or variance appeal petition with the City Clerk within 14 days after the Landmarks Commission’s final decision.

MGO 41.21(1)

Applies in Madison city

The Building Inspector may not issue a permit for an action requiring a Certificate of Approval unless the Commission has approved and the Preservation Planner or designee has issued the certificate.

MGO 41.21(3)

Applies in Madison city

The Landmarks Commission may order removal or modification of covered work done without a required Certificate of Approval or contrary to certificate conditions, or instead order renovation to bring the work into compliance.