For the first time since 1999, the city of Minneapolis is overhauling its zoning code, replacing outdated primary zoning districts with new, simpler primary zoning districts to comply with its Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Minneapolis zoning code consists of two1 types of districts, which determine the type and scale of buildings that can be built:
Built Form Overlay Districts:
These districts determine the scale of a building within them (height, floor area ratio, yard setbacks, etc). These were already implemented on Jan 1st, 2021, and are not the primary focus of the current rezoning study, though there is a new draft of the code to reflect new primary district names.
Primary Zoning Districts:
These districts determine what kind of use can occur within them (retail stores, housing, grocery stores, etc). These districts will replace the current primary zoning districts. This is the focus of the rezoning study, with the city asking for public comment on many things via a survey, including:
– What uses should be allowed in each district?
– Where should each district be applied?
Neighbors for more neighbors has answered the entire survey here. But we encourage you to look through the city-provided materials and fill it out yourself.
1. There is a third (less impactful) type of district, called an Overlay District. This district applies special exceptions or requirements to different areas (such as requiring bike parking near a university).
Pros:
- Increased potential housing on many parcels, allowing missing middle housing in much more of the city.
- Consolidated primary zoning districts to be simpler and more accessible to more people.
- No longer allowing (new) heavy-polluting industrial uses in much of the city.
Cons:
- Developing newly allowed missing middle housing requires lot combinations in most of the city, making it inaccessible and expensive to most.
- All retail uses (grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants) are still prohibited in urban neighborhood districts, which make up the vast majority of the city.
Useful Links:
- Current Primary District Map
- Current Primary District Use Tables (Residential, Office Residential, Commercial, Downtown, and Industrial)
- Proposed Primary District Map
- Proposed Primary District Guide
- Proposed Primary District Use Table
- Current Built Form Overlay District Map
- Current Built Form Overlay Guide
- Proposed Built Form Overlay Code (as it relates to the newly proposed Primary Districts)
