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Transfer of Development Rights (TDR)

The Dane County Board of Supervisors voted overwhelmingly Feb. 4, 2010 to approve Ordinance Amendment 45, a county-wide TDR ordinance. It became effective on March 22, 2010. 

This new ordinance is a voluntary program in which towns can elect to participate.  The ordinance creates a framework to support town-initiated TDR programs. TDR allows willing landowners to trade potential development rights (a.k.a "splits") available under town density policies.
 TDR Ordinance History
  During the months of December and January, 2009, 22 towns voted to support Ordinance Amendment 45 establishing a county-wide Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Ordinance. On February 4, 2010, the Dane County Board of Supervisors followed the majority consensus of town governments and voted to approve OA 45 (35-1) with amendments that were requested by the Dane County Towns Association.
  These amendments added the following language:
  --A development proposal which is consistent with adopted plans is not objectionable on the grounds that it is not being undertaken with transferred development rights.
  --No third-parties with enforcement rights may be added without approval of the Town and the County.
 --Add the word “voluntarily” to the description of the TDR–S (sending area) and TDR-R (receiving area) overlay districts.


TDR Question & Answer download

DCTA April 2009 newsletter coverage of proposed TDR program.

Sun Prairie Star's Aug. 7, 2009 coverage of TDR workshop