A. 
Residential District Bulk and Dimensional Standards. Table 15-3-01(A) establishes the bulk and dimensional requirements for development or the use of a lot in each residential district.
Table 15-3-01(A): Residential District Bulk and Dimensional Standards
Standard
R-C
R-SE
R-SR
R-MF
R-V
Lot Standards (Minimum)
Lot Area (sq ft)
40,000*
18,000
10,000
12,000**
7,200
Lot Area/Dwelling Unit (sq ft)***
—
—
—
4,500
—
Lot Width (ft)
150
90
80
100
60
Lot Depth (ft)
110
110
110
110
110
Yard Setbacks (Minimum)
Front (ft)
60
45
30
15
25
Street Side (ft)
45
35
20
10
15
Interior Side (ft)
20
10
10
5
5
Rear (ft)****
30
30
30
15
25
Building Standards (Maximum)
Building Height (ft)
35
35
35
35
35
Impervious Surface Coverage (%)
20
40
50
60
40
Notes:
(*)
Lots not served by public sanitary sewer and water supply facilities: see § 15-8-02.
(**)
Single-family and duplex structures with a party wall: minimum lot area of 6,000 square feet and minimum lot width of 60 feet.
(***)
More than 2 dwelling units: Lot area per dwelling unit shall apply in addition to the baseline lot area requirement.
(****)
Minimum setback of 10 feet is allowed for detached garages.
B. 
Nonresidential and Mixed-Use District Bulk and Dimensional Standards. Table 15-3-01(B) establishes the bulk and dimensional requirements for development or uses of a parcel in each nonresidential or mixed-use district.
Table 15-3-01(B): Mixed-Use and Nonresidential District Bulk and Dimensional Standards
Standard
B-N
B-G
B-R
B-MU
B-SM
B-P
LI
A
A-P
I
P
Lot Standards (Minimum)
Lot Area (acres)
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
3
35
n/a
n/a
Lot Width (ft)
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
200
300
50
50
Lot Depth (ft)
110
110
110
110
110
110
110
110
110
110
110
Yard Setbacks (Minimum)
Front (ft)
25
25
40
30(1)
10
50
30
50
50
30
50
Street Side (ft)
25
25
40
30(1)
15
50
30
50
50
20
50
Interior Side (ft)
10
10
10
10(1)
5
20
20
25
25
10
20
Rear (ft)
20
20
20
30(1)
20
40
15
50
50
30
50
Building Standards (Maximum)
Height Building (ft)
40
40
50
50(2)
40
95
45
35
35
45
40
Impervious Surface Coverage (%)
60
70
70
70
90
60
70
n/a
n/a
60
n/a
Notes:
(1)
40% of the required setback may be reduced when at least 15% of dwelling units on site are deed restricted to be affordable relative to 80% of the Milwaukee County Area Median Household Income. A minimum of 1 total dwelling units shall be provided on site to qualify.
(2)
An additional 10 feet of building height shall be allowed when at least 15% of dwelling units on site are deed restricted to be affordable relative to 80% the Milwaukee County Area Median Household Income. A minimum of 1 total dwelling unit shall be provided on site to qualify.
A. 
Lot Width. Lot width shall be measured as the distance between the side lot lines of a lot at right angles to its depth along a straight line parallel to the front lot line.
B. 
Lot Widths for Lots that Abut a Cul-de-Sac. The lot width of all lots which abut a cul-de-sac may be reduced by a maximum of twenty (20) percent of the required lot width for the district in which it is located. The required lot width for the district shall be met at the front yard setback line.
Figure 15-3(1) Lot Width
Figure 15-3(2) Lot Width for Lots that Abut a Cul-de-Sac
C. 
Yard Setbacks.
1. 
A required yard setback shall be measured as the horizontal distance from the center point of the applicable lot line into the interior of the lot for the minimum distance specified in Table 15-3-01(A) or (B).
2. 
The span of a yard setback shall be measured as follows.
a. 
Front Yard. From the interior side lot line to the other interior side lot line or street side lot line as applicable.
b. 
Street Side Yard. From the front yard setback line to the rear lot line.
c. 
Interior Side Yard. From the front yard setback line to the rear yard setback line.
d. 
Rear Yard.
i. 
From the interior side lot line to the other interior side lot line; or
ii. 
From the interior side lot line to the street side yard setback line.
Figure 15-3(3) Yard Setbacks
D. 
Height.
1. 
Building Height. Building height shall be the vertical distance measured from the mean elevation of the finished lot grade along the building frontage to the highest elevation of the roof.
Figure 15-3(4) Building Height
2. 
Porch Height. The height of the porch shall be measured from the finished floor level of the porch to the lowest point of the roof.
E. 
Impervious Surface Coverage. The portion of a lot that is not covered with soil or natural vegetation. Such surfaces include areas covered by buildings, porches, decks, patios, terraces, and swimming pools, and also include surfaces constructed of asphalt, concrete, gravel, brick, stone, tile or any other paving material used for parking, driveways and walkways.
Figure 15-3(5) Imperious Surface Coverage
[Amended 10-7-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-2701]
A. 
Height Exceptions. The following structures may exceed the height limitations established in Tables 15-03-1(A) and (B) as follows.
1. 
Architectural Projections. Architectural projections such as antennae, spires, steeples, belfries, parapet walls, cupolas, domes, flues, and chimneys may exceed the height limit for the district to provide for projections usual and customary to the proposed use.
2. 
Special Structures. Structures such as elevator penthouses, mechanical penthouses, gas tanks, grain elevators, observation towers, and scenery lofts, manufacturing equipment and necessary appurtenances, cooling towers, fire towers, substations, and smoke stacks are exempt from the height limitations of this UDO provided the structures are an integral part of and do not detract from the design of the principal structure as approved by the Plan Commission and/or Architectural Board.
3. 
Essential Services, Utilities, Water Towers, and Electric Power and Communication Transmission Lines. Essential services, utilities, water towers, and electric power and communication transmission lines are exempt from the height limitations of this Ordinance. Building-mounted earth station dish antennas shall not exceed the maximum height regulation of the district in which they are located.
4. 
Agricultural Structures. Agricultural structures, such as barns, silos, windmills, shall not exceed in height twice their distance from the nearest lot line.
5. 
Public or Semipublic Facilities. Public or semipublic facilities, such as schools, churches, hospitals, monuments, sanatoriums, libraries, and governmental offices and stations, may be erected to a height of sixty (60) feet, provided all required yard setbacks are increased not less than one (1) foot for each foot the structure exceeds the district's maximum height requirement.
6. 
Modification of Other Ordinances and Regulations Not Permitted Under this Section. Modifications permitted under this Section of this Ordinance do not modify any requirements of federal, state, or local Building Codes relating to the elements addressed in this Section of this Ordinance.
B. 
Yard Setback Exceptions. Obstructions into the yard setback requirements specified in Tables 15-3-01(A) and (B) may be permitted as follows.
1. 
Uncovered Stairs, Landings, and Fire Escapes. Uncovered stairs, landings, and fire escapes may project a maximum of six (6) feet into a required yard setback and shall not be closer than three (3) feet to any lot line.
2. 
Architectural Projections. Architectural projections including chimneys, flues, sills, eaves, belt courses, and ornamental features, may project a maximum of two (2) feet into a required yard setback. Bay windows may project a maximum of three (3) feet into a required yard setback.
3. 
Accessibility Structures. ADA accessible wheelchair ramps and other features designed to promote universal access on the subject site may project into a required yard setback but shall be located at least three (3) feet from any lot line.
4. 
Utility and Electric Power and Communication Transmission Lines. Utility and electric power and communication transmission lines are exempt from the yard setback and distance requirements of this Ordinance.
5. 
Terraces, Patios, Uncovered Decks. Terraces, patios, uncovered decks, and ornamental features which do not extend more than two (2) feet above or below the adjacent grade may project into required interior side and rear yard setbacks, but shall not project more than ten (10) feet into required front and street side yards, however any such structure shall be setback at least five (5) feet from any property line. Uncovered decks two (2) feet or more above grade may project into required interior side and year yards but shall be setback at least ten (10) feet from property lines.
6. 
Lampposts and Flagpoles. Lampposts with a maximum height of ten (10) feet and flag poles with a maximum height of thirty-five (35) feet may project into required yard setbacks, however any such structure shall be set back at least five (5) feet from any property line.
7. 
Air Conditioning Units. Air conditioning units may project up to five (5) feet into a required side or rear yard setback but shall not be closer than five (5) feet from any property line.
8. 
Below-Ground Stairways and Windows. Stairways and windows that are constructed entirely below the site's finished grade may project into any required yard setback.
9. 
Fences. Fences may be located in required yard setbacks as specified in Article 5.
10. 
Rainwater Harvesting Structures. Rainwater harvesting structures with two hundred (200) gallons or less of storage may project into a required side or rear yard setback but shall not be closer than five (5) feet from any property line. Rainwater harvesting structures with over two hundred (200) gallons of capacity meet the location standards for accessory structures in Article 4. In no instance shall an underground rainwater harvesting structure be within five (5) feet of an easement.
a. 
If rain water harvesting structures are to be buried they shall be considered stormwater and shall conform to the requirements of SPS 382. A plumbing permit shall be required. Rain water harvesting structures located above ground shall not require a plumbing permit and shall not be required to confirm with the requirements of SPS 382.
b. 
All rainwater harvesting structure shall be adequately maintained and in functional condition and shall meet the applicable standards of Section 190-24 of the Franklin Municipal Code.
[Amended 10-7-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-2701]
A. 
The following key shall be used in the interpretation of Tables 15-3-01(B) and (C).
1. 
Permitted Uses. Uses which are marked as "P" in the table shall be allowed subject to all applicable regulations of this UDO.
2. 
Conditional Uses. Uses which are marked as "C" in the table shall be allowed upon the approval of a Conditional Use Permit as detailed in Section 15-9-06.
3. 
Temporary Uses. Uses which are marked "T" in the tables shall be allowed upon the approval of a Temporary Use Permit as detailed in Section 15-9-03(C).
a. 
The uses marked as "P" under temporary uses table are exempt from the Temporary Use Permit requirement, as outlined in Section 15-4-14(E) of this UDO.
4. 
Prohibited Uses. A blank space in the tables indicates that a use type is not allowed in the respective zoning district unless it is otherwise expressly allowed by other regulations of this UDO.
5. 
Uses Not Listed. If a proposed use is not listed in the tables, the Zoning Administrator shall determine if the use is substantially similar to a use listed on the tables per the process established in Article 9. If it is, they shall treat the use in the same manner as the substantially similar use. If not, the use shall be regarded as prohibited.
6. 
Additional Regulation. If a use has use specific standards they are highlighted in green. Use specific standards shall apply to permitted, conditional, and temporary uses.
B. 
Permitted, Conditional, and Temporary Uses in Residential Districts.
Table 15-3-04(B): Permitted, Conditional, and Temporary Uses in Residential Districts
Use
R-C
R-SE
R-SR
R-MF
R-V
Residential
R-C
R-SE
R-SR
R-MF
R
Community Living, 1-15 Persons
P
P
P
P
P
Community Living, 16 + Persons
C
C
C
P
C
Mobile/Manufactured Home Park, Existing Prior to this UDO
P
Dwelling, Duplex
C
P
C
Dwelling, Townhome
P
Dwelling, Multifamily Building
P
Dwelling, Multifamily Complex
P
Dwelling, Single-Family
P
P
P
P
P
Senior Housing, Assisted Living
C
C
C
C
C
Senior Housing, Nursing Care
C
C
C
C
C
Senior Housing, Total Life Care
C
Institutional
R-C
R-SE
R-SR
R-MF
R-V
Educational Facility
C
C
C
C
C
Place of Assembly
R-C
R-SE
R-SR
R-MF
R-V
Noncommercial Place of Assembly, 20,000 sq ft or less
P
P
P
P
P
Noncommercial Place of Assembly, more than 20,000 sq ft
C
C
C
C
C
Recreation, Amusement, and Lodging
R-C
R-SE
R-SR
R-MF
R-V
Lodging House
P
P
P
P
P
Short-Term Rental
P
P
P
P
P
Agricultural
R-C
R-SE
R-SR
R-MF
R-V
Community Garden
P
P
P
P
P
Crop Production
C
Indoor Agriculture
C
Utilities and Transportation
R-C
R-SE
R-SR
R-MF
R-V
Antenna
C
C
C
C
C
Telecommunications Tower
C
C
C
C
C
Accessory
R-C
R-SE
R-SR
R-MF
R-V
Accessory Dwelling, Detached/Attached
C
C
C
C
C
Accessory Dwelling, Internal
P
P
P
P
P
Accessory Structure
P
P
P
P
P
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
P
P
P
P
P
Home-Based Business
P
P
P
P
P
Solar Energy Collection System, Canopy
P
P
P
P
P
Solar Energy Collection System, Ground-Mounted
P
P
P
P
P
Solar Energy Collection System, Roof-Mounted
P
P
P
P
P
Temporary
R-C
R-SE
R-SR
R-MF
R-V
Construction-Related
P
P
P
P
P
Construction Trailers as Temporary Offices
P
P
P
P
P
Dumpsters for Trash and Garbage Required for Construction Sites
P
P
P
P
P
Garage and Yard Sales
P
P
P
P
P
Food Truck
T
Model Homes, Model Dwelling Units, and Pre-Construction Sales Offices
P
P
P
P
P
Public Interest and Special Events
P*
P*
P*
P*
P*
Temporary Roadside Stands for the Sale of Agricultural Products
Temporary Concrete Batch Plants or Asphalt or Asphalt Reprocessing Plants and Temporary Stone Crushers
T
T
T
T
T
(*) Separate license required as specified in the Municipal Code.
C. 
Permitted, Conditional, and Temporary Uses in Nonresidential and Mixed-Use Districts.
Table 15-3-04(C): Permitted, Conditional, and Temporary Uses in Nonresidential and Mixed-Use Districts
Use
B-N
B-G
B-R
B-MU
B-SM
B-P
LI
A
A-P
P
I
L
FP
Residential
B-N
B-G
B-R
B-MU
B-SM
B-P
LI
A
A-P
P
I
L
FP
Single-Family
P
P
P
P
Multifamily*
C
Multifamily, second upper floor or above only*
P
P
P
P
P
(*) Requires minimum lot area of 4,500 sqft per dwelling unit.
Institutional
B-N
B-G
B-R
B-MU
B-SM
B-P
LI
A
A-P
P
I
L
FP
Educational Facility
C
Governmental Uses
C
Health Care Facility
P
P
P
P
C
P
C
P
Cemetery
C
Place of Assembly
B-N
B-G
B-R
B-MU
B-SM
B-P
LI
A
A-P
P
I
L
FP
Indoor Commercial Place of Assembly, 20,000 sq ft or less
P
P
P
P
P
C
C
C
P
Indoor Commercial Place of Assembly, more than 20,000 sq ft
C
P
P
P
C
C
C
C
P
Outdoor Commercial Place of Assembly
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
Noncommercial Place of Assembly, 20,000 sq ft or less
C
C
C
P
Noncommercial Place of Assembly, more than 20,000 sq ft
C
C
C
P
Recreation, Amusement, and Lodging
B-N
B-G
B-R
B-MU
B-SM
B-P
LI
A
A-P
P
I
L
FP
Campground
C
Lodging House
P
P
Hotel
C
C
C
C
Motel
C
Recreation Area
P
P
P
Trail
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Short-Term Rental
C
P
P
Retail
B-N
B-G
B-R
B-MU
B-SM
B-P
LI
A
A-P
P
I
L
FP
Adult Establishment
C
General Retail, 20,000 sq ft or less
P
P
P
P
P
General Retail, more than 20,000 sq ft
C
P
P
P
C
Multitenant Shopping Center
C
C
C
C
Wholesale Establishment
C
Service
B-N
B-G
B-R
B-MU
B-SM
B-P
LI
A
A-P
P
I
L
FP
Animal Boarding Facility/Kennel and/or Veterinary Service
C
C
C
C
General Service, 20,000 sq ft or less
P
P
P
P
P
P
General Service, more than 20,000 sq ft
S
P
P
P
C
P
P
Financial Institution
P
P
P
P
P
Funeral Home
C
C
Office, above ground floor only
P
P
Office, 20,000 sq ft or less
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Office, more than 20,000 sq ft
P
P
P
P
P
P
Office Complex/Business Park
P
Eating and Drinking
B-N
B-G
B-R
B-MU
B-SM
B-P
LI
A
A-P
P
I
L
FP
Bar/Tavern
P
P
P
P
P
Brewery/Winery/Distillery Tasting Room
P
P
P
P
P
Food Truck Court
C
C
C
C
C
C
Micro-Brewery/Winery/Distillery
P
P
P
P
Restaurant
P
P
P
P
P
Vehicle Related
B-N
B-G
B-R
B-MU
B-SM
B-P
LI
A
A-P
P
I
L
FP
Auto Sales/Rental and Service
C
C
P
Carwash
C
C
C
P
Major Automotive Repair
C
C
C
P
Minor Automotive Repair
P
P
P
P
Vehicle Fuel Sales
C
C
C
P
Agricultural
B-N
B-G
B-R
B-MU
B-SM
B-P
LI
A
A-P
P
I
L
FP
Community Garden
P
P
Crop Production
P
P
Animal Husbandry
P
P
Indoor Agriculture
P
P
P
Nursery Retail
P
P
P
P
P
Nursery Wholesale
P
P
Industrial
B-N
B-G
B-R
B-MU
B-SM
B-P
LI
A
A-P
P
I
L
FP
Artisan Manufacturing
P
P
P
P
P
Brewery/Winery/Distillery
P
C
C
Composting Facility
C
C
C
Co-Warehouse
P
Distribution Facility
C
Equipment Rental, Sales, and Service
P
P
P
P
Extractive Industry
C
C
Heavy Industry
C
P
Home Improvement Center/Lumberyard
P
P
P
P
Landfill
C
Light Industry
C
Recycling Facility
C
C
Salvage Yard
C
P
Self-Service Storage Facility
C
P
Solid Waste Facility
C
C
Storage Yard
C
Warehouse
P
Utility and Transportation
B-N
B-G
B-R
B-MU
B-SM
B-P
LI
A
A-P
P
I
L
FP
Antenna
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
Airport/Heliport
C
Helistop
C
C
C
C
C
Loading Areas and Parking Areas, as a Principal Use
P
Railroad Use
C
Sanitary Sewer or Water Supply Lines
C
Solar Farm
C
C
Telecommunications Tower
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
Wastewater Treatment Ponds and Facilities
P
Waterborne Transportation Uses
P
Wind Farm
C
C
Accessory
B-N
B-G
B-R
B-MU
B-SM
B-P
LI
A
A-P
P
I
L
FP
Accessory Retail
P
P
P
P
P
P
C
Accessory Structure
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Drive-Through
C
C
C
C
Donation Drop Box
C
C
C
C
C
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Home- Based Business
P
P
P
P
Outdoor Activity/Operation/Storage
C
Outdoor Dining
P
P
P
P
P
Outdoor Display/Sale of Merchandise
P
P
P
P
P
Solar Energy Collection System, Canopy
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Solar Energy Collection System, Ground-Mounted
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
Solar Energy Collection System, Roof-Mounted
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Temporary
B-N
B-G
B-R
B-MU
B-SM
B-P
LI
A
A-P
P
I
L
FP
Construction-Related
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Construction Trailers as Temporary Offices
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Dumpsters for Trash and Garbage Required for Construction Sites
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Farmers Market
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
Food Truck
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
Garage and Yard Sales
P
P
P
P
P
P
Model Homes, Model Dwelling Units, and Pre-Construction Sales Offices
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Public Interest and Special Events
P*
P*
P*
P*
P*
P*
P*
P*
P*
P*
P*
P*
Seasonal Sales
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
Temporary Roadside Stands for the Sale of Agricultural Products
P
P
Temporary Concrete Batch Plants, Asphalt Reprocessing Plants and Temporary Stone Crushers
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
Notes:
(*) Separate license required as specified in the Municipal Code.
A. 
Canopies and Awnings.
1. 
Building canopies, awnings, or similar weather protection devices are encouraged on the first floor of all buildings.
2. 
If provided, the device shall project a minimum of three (3) feet and a maximum of five (5) feet from the facade to which it is affixed.
B. 
Building Frontage. The primary facade of all nonresidential and mixed-use development shall meet the standards of one (1) of the frontage types detailed in Subsections (B)(1) through (4) below. The use of the resulting front yards or porches for outdoor dining or other activity generating uses that support the subject lot's principal use is encouraged.
1. 
Projecting Porch. The primary facade of the building shall be sufficiently set back from the property line to accommodate the projecting porch within the front yard setback. The resulting front yard may or may not be defined by a fence or hedge to spatially maintain the edge of the street. The projecting porch shall be open on three (3) sides and have a roof form that shall be separate from the principal structure. A projecting porch may encroach into a required front yard setback to a maximum extent of ten (10) feet. The following minimum standards shall apply to projecting porches.
a. 
Width. Ten (10) feet.
b. 
Depth. Eight (8) feet.
c. 
Height. Eight (8) feet.
2. 
Storefront. The primary facade of the building shall adjoin the required minimum front setback. Accordion-style windows and doors or other operable windows are encouraged. The following standards shall apply to shopfronts.
a. 
Window Area. Sixteen (16) square feet.
b. 
Window Width. Three (3) feet.
c. 
Window Height. Four (4) feet.
d. 
Sill Height. Three (3) feet.
C. 
Entrance Orientation. Main entrances to buildings shall be oriented toward the primary street adjoining the subject property. Secondary entrances are encouraged along secondary streets for corner lots, or along building frontages not adjoining a street for interior lots.
D. 
Parking Location. Off-street parking spaces and lots shall be located to the rear or interior side of the principal building.