Madison Isthmus / Urban Core
Madison · Dane County
Occupy Madison Tiny House Village
Occupy Madison (OM) Village is a groundbreaking, self-governed tiny house cooperative that changed the zoning landscape in Wisconsin. Focused on providing permanent, safe shelter for the chronically unhoused, this urban infill village features beautifully crafted 99 sq. ft. tiny homes built directly on-site by volunteers and future residents. The community is deeply rooted in sustainability, featuring solar power arrays, a shared woodworking shop, and a retail store that supports the village's operating costs.
Site requirements
Park specs & operating terms
Operator requirements and park rules for tiny homes and small cottages—sourced from community materials and independent research. Items marked not yet confirmed are still being verified with the operator.
Quick-glance park specs
| Requirement | What we know |
|---|---|
| Power Infrastructure | Solar off-grid arrays with 30 amp backup hookups—heavily solar-focused community infrastructure. |
| Waste & Sewer System | Municipal city water and municipal public sewer—hardwired urban infill infrastructure. |
| Build Certifications | Custom 99 sq ft THOW micro-homes built to Occupy Madison internal specifications on site. |
| Pet Constraints | Pets allowed—maximum one per household, 50 lb weight limit. Must pass co-op behavior guidelines. |
Financials & leasing terms
Monthly benchmarks and lease mechanics—confirm current rates with the operator before applying.
Lot rent benchmarks
Volunteer and sweat-equity subsidized housing—no market lot rent. Prioritizes chronically unhoused local residents.
Utility inclusions
All-inclusive cooperative fee covers water, sewer, electricity, heating, and garbage.
Lease mechanics
Non-profit sweat-equity cooperative placement—not open-market leases. No application fee documented.
Home specifications & placement rules
Dimensional thresholds
99 sq ft custom THOW micro-homes built on site—confirm current build queue and resident eligibility with OM Village.
Aesthetic controls & covenants
Community-crafted homes with on-site aesthetic and cooperative governance standards enforced.
Sustainability & permaculture allowances
If you are planning gardens, composting, or solar, confirm what is allowed under park rules—not just municipal code.
Alternative waste systems
Municipal sewer required—composting not permitted as primary waste solution.
Off-grid adaptations
Solar off-grid primary power with community Wi‑Fi mesh; shared woodworking and build shop on site.
Site edibles & gardens
Raised-bed urban gardens and communal kitchen supporting village food security programs.
Media & site documentation
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · Use pinch or zoom controls to explore
Not yet confirmed — ask the operator
Not yet confirmed — ask the operator
Planning land you own in Dane County?
Occupy Madison is a sweat-equity supportive cooperative—not a Dane County THOW land-lease or backyard ADU pathway. Route into pathway tools if you are comparing housing models.
Pads & tenancy snapshot
Urban infill co-op village with custom 99 sq ft THOW micro-homes built on site, communal kitchen and bath facilities, shared woodworking shop, and raised-bed urban gardens.
Non-profit sweat-equity cooperative housing—subsidized placements prioritizing chronically unhoused Madison residents. Not open-market pad leases or vacation rentals.
How you can live here
Key amenities
Amenities listed here come from our research and operator materials. Pet rules, pools, docks, and similar features can change—confirm current policies with the community before you apply.
- Pet-friendly
- Community garden
- Clubhouse
- Laundry
Stewardship disclosures
Permanent supportive cooperative housing—not open-market THOW land-lease or nightly rentals. Pets allowed—max one per household, 50 lb limit; must pass co-op behavior guidelines.
Operators update rules frequently. Confirm recorded covenants, county zoning, HOA restrictions, occupancy rules, and insurance requirements for your home type before you move.