Land Use Rezoning Study

Learn more about the Land Use Rezoning Study.

Background

Minneapolis 2040, the City’s comprehensive plan, includes policies that guide how land should be used. State law requires consistency between adopted plans and a city’s zoning ordinance. This effort will satisfy that requirement, using the comprehensive plan’s 12 Future Land Use categories to guide the development of new regulations, governing issues such as:

Uses allowed in each zoning district
Development standards that apply to uses allowed by zoning district (size of individual uses, where retail mixed-use is required, etc.)
Creation and mapping of new zoning districts to be consistent with the Future Land Use Map in Minneapolis 2040

Goals of the amendment

New and updated land use regulations will ensure that key elements of Minneapolis 2040 will be implemented.

Climate change resilience and Clean environment through more efficient use of land by setting the stage for more complete neighborhoods and more efficient transportation options and travel patterns.
Affordable and accessible housing and Complete neighborhoods by improving access to a variety of land use designations citywide, setting the stage for potential access to more goods and services and employment opportunities closer to where people live and work.
More residents and jobs by regulating the efficient use of land.
Eliminate disparities by ensuring ample access to a variety of land use designations citywide, making it easier to achieve other goals related to complete neighborhoods and transportation access.

This amendment also provides the opportunity to make the zoning ordinance easier for users to navigate, and easier for staff to administer. Special attention will be paid to the structure of the ordinance with an eye toward making it a more user-friendly tool. Some examples of how this outcome could be achieved:

Reducing the overall number of zoning districts – including the potential elimination of overlay districts with regulations better administered elsewhere
Broader descriptions of allowed uses, meaning fewer individual uses to distinguish from one another
Improving clarity for all stakeholders by reducing the instances where special applications are needed to establish a given use

Applicable sections of the zoning code

The following chapters of the zoning code are expected to be impacted by the proposed ordinance and are under consideration as part of the amendment:

Chapter 520, Introductory Provisions
Chapter 521, Zoning Districts and Maps Generally
Chapter 525, Administration and Enforcement
Chapter 527, Planned Unit Development
Chapter 529, Interim Ordinances
Chapter 530, Site Plan Review
Chapter 531, Nonconforming Uses and Structures
Chapter 535, Regulations of General Applicability
Chapter 536, Specific Development Standards
Chapter 537, Accessory Uses and Structures
Chapter 541, Off-Street Parking and Loading
Chapter 543, On-Premise Signs
Chapter 544, Off-Premise Advertising Signs and Billboards
Chapter 546, Residence Districts
Chapter 547, Office Residence Districts
Chapter 548, Commercial Districts
Chapter 549, Downtown Districts
Chapter 550, Industrial Districts
Chapter 551, Overlay Districts

Meetings

City Planning Commission Committee of the Whole

August 18, 2022 – Staff presented an update on the project including information on proposed new primary districts, overlay district changes, commercial use standards, use tables, and code structure.
March 10, 2022 – Staff gave an overview of the process to come, highlighting key considerations and a general timeline of the work.

Public Meetings and Outreach

Small Group Meetings with key Stakeholders – Fall 2022
Virtual Public Meeting – Fall 2022
Online surveys and comment opportunities – Fall 2022
45-day Public Review Period – Fall 2022

Adoption Process

Planning Commission Public Hearing – Early 2023
Business, Inspections, Housing, and Zoning Committee – Early 2023
City Council – Early 2023
Published Ordinance in Effect – Early 2023

Effective Date

Following the mayoral signature the ordinance will be formally adopted, provided that the amendment is reviewed and approved according to the current schedule.