Current & Proposed Zoning Information

Milwaukee's Residential Zoning Map

Each property in the city is assigned a zoning district. That zoning district has a set of rules for what can be built on that property and the size of the building. Zoning does not define what currently exists on a lot, but what can be built new. This map includes the zoning districts that allow housing, and the drop-downs explain what types of housing are currently allowed and the proposed changes.

Using This Map:

Determine Zoning: Click anywhere on the map to identify the zoning district of a property.

Zoom In and Out: Use the + and - buttons in the top left corner to zoom in and out.

Search for an Address: Click the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner to search for a specific address.

Map Legend: Click the button above the magnifying glass to see the map legend.

Turn Off Zoning Layers: Use the button in the bottom right corner and click the eye icon to turn off all zoning and see just the basemaps.

Housing Types currently allowed in the RS1 - RS6 districts:

1 Single-family detached home

Growing MKE Recommends Allowing:
(Allows for 1-3 dwelling units on a typical property)

Single-family detached home
Accessory Dwelling Unit
Townhome
Duplex
Triplex
Cottage Court

Housing Types currently allowed in the RT1-RT3 districts:

1 Single-family detached home
1 Duplex
Townhome (maximum 2 units)

Growing MKE Recommends Allowing:
(Allows for 1-4 dwelling units on a typical property)

Single-family detached home
Accessory Dwelling Unit
Townhome
Duplex
Triplex
Fourplex
Cottage Court

Housing Types currently allowed in the RT4 district:

1 Single-family detached home
1 Duplex
1 Triplex
1 Fourplex
Townhome (maximum 4 units)

Growing MKE Recommends Allowing:
(Allows for 1-4 dwelling units on a typical property)

Single-family detached home
Accessory Dwelling Unit
Townhome
Duplex
Triplex
Fourplex
Cottage Court

Housing Types currently allowed in the RM1-RM7 districts:

Single-family detached home
Duplex
Triplex
Fourplex
Multi-family building

Density is regulated by form and design standards (including height) and limited by a maximum number of units through a Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit mathematical equation.

Growing MKE Recommends:

Continuing to allow the housing types listed above.
Removing the mathematical equation
Regulating buildings by form and design standards (including height)

Housing Types currently allowed in the RO1 & RO2 districts:

Single-family detached home
Duplex
Triplex
Fourplex
Multi-family building

Density is regulated by form and design standards (including height) and limited by a maximum number of units through a Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit mathematical equation.

Growing MKE Recommends:

Continuing to allow the housing types listed above.
Removing the mathematical equation
Regulating buildings by form and design standards (including height)

Housing Types currently allowed in the LBs, CS, NSs, RBs districts:

Single-family detached home
Duplex
Triplex
Fourplex
Multi-family building

Density is regulated by form and design standards (including height) and limited by a maximum number of units through a Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit mathematical equation.

Growing MKE Recommends:

Continuing to allow the housing types listed above.
Removing the mathematical equation
Regulating buildings by form and design standards (including height)

Housing types currently allowed in the IM district:

Single-family detached home
Duplex
Triplex
Fourplex
Multi-family building

Density is regulated by form and design standards (including height) and limited by a maximum number of units through a Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit mathematical equation.

Growing MKE Recommends:

Continuing to allow the housing types listed above.
Removing the mathematical equation
Regulating buildings by form and design standards (including height)

Housing Types currently allowed in the C9A-C9G (Downtown) districts

Single-family detached home
Duplex
Triplex
Fourplex
Multi-family building

*Most downtown districts have limitations on the design and location of housing.

Density is regulated by form and design standards (including height) and limited by a maximum number of units through a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) mathematical equation.

Growing MKE Recommends

Continuing to allow the housing types listed above.
Removing the mathematical equation and regulating by form and design standards (as recommended in the Downtown Plan)

PD (Planned Development) and RED (Redevelopment Plan) districts have a distinct set of design and land use criteria. Some allow housing and others do not. All properties with PD or RED zoning are included on the map for reference, even those that do not allow housing. The recommendations for zoning code updates will not affect the existing PD and RED districts.