City Services

This page will be updated regularly as we continue to finalize the attachment process. 

Assessing
The duty of the Assessing Department is to discover, list, and value residential, commercial, agricultural, and business personal property. We often are asked how we determine assessed value. This is done by analyzing sales that took place in the previous year, reviewing them to determine if they are arms length transactions (willing buyer and willing seller on the open market), and applying market trends to neighborhoods and similar property characteristics. Generally speaking, property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value by the mill rate (tax rate). The assessor assigns the assessed value to the property, however the mill rate is controlled by the budgets of the school districts, technical colleges, and at the county and local levels. The assessor is not involved with establishing mill rates or in the collection of taxes. At this time the city has not finalized a process for assessing incoming properties. Visit the Assessing page for more information.

Brush and Yard Waste
Visit the Refuse and Recycling page for more information. This page will have a Collection Calendar and Service Map which you can use to determine when your brush and yard waste is picked up. The Service Map will be updated to include incoming properties. Residents are provided with fourteen brush collections and four yard waste collections between April and November. 

Building Inspection
The City of Madison Building Inspection took over building permits and inspection services on Nov. 1, 2020. On November 1, 2022 Building Inspection will transfer to the City of Fitchburg. The Building Inspection Department assures both an established and effective level of building safety and health for the public who purchase, own, build, or use buildings and other structures throughout the city. The department enforces the 2015 IBC Code and 2016 UDC state codes for one and two family homes. The building inspectors review plans and perform inspections as required. Visit the Building Inspection page to learn more about the permitting process.  

Economic Development
The role of the economic development department is to provide support and activities that seek to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for the community by creating and retaining jobs that facilitate growth and provide a stable tax base.  In addition to economic development, the department assists with the community, redevelopment and housing activities. For additional information on the services provided by Economic Development, visit the Economic Development page. 

City Hall
City Hall is located at 5520 Lacy Road, Fitchburg WI 53711. City Hall is open Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Community Center
The Community Center is located next to City Hall at 5510 Lacy Road, Fitchburg WI 53711. The Community Center is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are facilities for recreational activities, governmental meetings, civic meetings, and social events. All residents can reserve one of the rooms at the Community Center. Visit the Community Center page to learn more.   

Elections and Voting
The City Clerk is responsible for election administration. At this time election and voting information has not been updated to reflect the Town of Madison Attachment. Visit the Voting & Election Information page for more information.

Finance/City Treasurer
The Finance Department is responsible for providing financial management activities for all City operations including billing utility customers and collecting property tax payments. Property tax bills are issued in December each year. Fitchburg Utilities send bills to our customers on a quarterly basis. Fitchburg is working with the Town and City of Madison to determine how water utilities will transition. This section will be updated when this is finalized. Visit the Finance page for more information.

Library
The Library is located at 5530 Lacy Road. The Library is open from Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. These hours may be modified currently due to the public health emergency You can use the library to borrow books, use the computer lab, rent meeting rooms, and attend various events. Visit the Library page for more information. 

Municipal Court
The Municipal Court is led by Honorable Judge Hamdy Ezalarab. The Municipal Court has jurisdiction over all traffic, parking, and municipal citations issued by City of Fitchburg Officials. Visit in the Municipal Court page for more information. 

Parks and Recreation
Fitchburg's commitment to public recreation and open space provides residents with about 730 acres of parkland, open spaces, and recreation trails in at least 95 different areas. This includes parks, athletic fields, natural areas, greenways, stormwater facilities, neighborhood recreational trails, a golf course, cemetery, and a community center. Park facilities, such as shelters, can be rented by residents. Visit the Park & Forestry page for more information. 

Permits and Licenses
The City Clerk’s office is responsible for issuing licenses and permits. The Clerk’s office issues liquor licenses, operators license, pet licenses, sound permits, street use permits, street vendor permits, festival event permits, fireworks applications and short-term rental applications. Visit the Forms, Licenses & Permits Portal for more information. 

Planning and Zoning
The Planning and Zoning Department reviews all development proposals, updates and administers the Comprehensive Plan and associated Neighborhood Plans, and administers the zoning, architectural, sign, land division, historic preservation, telecommunications, and extraterritorial ordinances. If you are planning to build a deck or put in a shed, the Planning & Zoning Department can help you determine your setbacks and explain the approval process. Visit the Planning & Zoning page for more information. 

Public Safety
The Police Department and Fire Department serve all city residents, businesses and property owners. Visit the Police Department page and Fire Department page for more information. 

Public Transportation
The City partners with Madison Metro to provide transit service within the City limits. Visit the Public Transportation page for more information. 

Refuse and Recycling
Visit the Refuse and Recycling page for more information. This page will have a Collection Calendar and Service Map which you can use to determine when your trash and recycling is picked up. The Service Map will be updated to include incoming properties. Pellitteri Waste Systems is Fitchburg's contracted residential waste hauler. Fitchburg's Recycling Drop Off Site is available to Fitchburg residents to dispose of yard waste, used motor oil, scrap metal, and cardboard. 

Senior Center
The Senior Center is located next to City Hall at 5510 Lacy Road, Fitchburg WI 53711. The Senior Center is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The mission of the Fitchburg Senior Center is to meet the diverse interests and needs of adults aged 50 and older, by providing a range of programs, volunteer opportunities, services and advocacy that will enrich their quality of life and maintain their independence.  The Senior Center also manages the Meals on Wheels program. Visit the Senior Center page for more information. 

Sewer and Stormwater
The city will maintain the sanitary sewer mains and interceptors in the urban service area. Fitchburg has a Stormwater Utility, which was established to provide consistent funding for meeting the City's stormwater management responsibilities. Property owners are billed quarterly. More information can be found on the Stormwater Utility page.

Snow Removal
The City is responsible for plowing City roads, Dane County plows state and county highways, and private roads are plowed by their owners. It is the property owner’s responsibility to remove snow and ice that has fallen or accumulated upon the sidewalk in front of their property. Visit the Snow Removal page for more information. 

Water Utility 
The Fitchburg Utility District is a self-financing entity owned by the City of Fitchburg. Fitchburg is working with the Town and City of Madison to determine how water utilities will transition. This section will be updated when this is finalized. Visit the Water page for more information.