Transfer of Development Rights!

On March 22, 2010, Dane County Ordinance Amendment 45, 2009-2010 became effective. This amendment created  a legal and administrative framework to support town-initiated Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) programs. TDR allows willing landowners to trade potential development rights (a.k.a "splits") available under town density policies.

To facilitate TDR, OA 45 created two new zoning overlay districts:

• TDR-S, used to designate TDR sending areas (areas to be protected from development), and;
• TDR-R, used to designate TDR receiving areas (areas where development is encouraged).

Information for Town Governments
All documents are in Adobe Acrobat format unless otherwise stated.

• 2021 Model Language for Town Plans
• Town of Dane Example

• Cover Memo on TDR
• Implementing Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) (185 KB)
• OA 45 Chapter 10 OF The Dane County Code of Ordinances (26 KB)
• TDR Guide for Town Plans
• Sample Town resolution to apply TDR districts (8 KB)

Information for Landowners or Developers

• Sample TDR Deed Notice Template (Word Doc - 59 KB)
• Sample TDR Conservation Easement template (Word Doc - 220 KB)