Background
An ordinance was introduced by Council President Bender on February 9, 2018, to amend regulations for maximum occupancy in the zoning code.
The amendment would add flexibility to the residential dwelling unit occupancy regulations by eliminating maximum occupancy from the Zoning Code. Maximum occupancy would continue to be regulated by the Housing Maintenance Ordinance. A companion amendment to Title 12, Chapter 244 relating to the Housing Maintenance Ordinance has been introduced and is expected to follow a similar timeline as this amendment.
Goals of the amendment
The amendment will support the City’s goal to prioritize equitable access to housing by no longer regulating occupancy by a definition of family in the zoning code.
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 546, Residence Districts
- Chapter 547, Office Residence Districts
- Chapter 548, Commercial Districts
- Chapter 549, Downtown Districts
- Chapter 551, Overlay Districts
Meetings
- City Planning Commission Committee of the Whole (November 2, 2017)
- City Planning Commission Committee of the Whole (July 19, 2018)
- City Planning Commission (August 13, 2018)
- City Planning Commission (November 4, 2019)
- City Council Zoning & Planning Committee (December 5, 2019)
- Minneapolis City Council (December 13, 2019)
Effective date
The ordinance was formally adopted on December 21, 2019.
Supporting documents
- Legislation Details: Regulations of occupancy ordinance (2018-00153)
- City Planning Commission Committee of the Whole Memo (November 2, 2017)
- City Planning Commission Committee of the Whole Memo (July 19, 2018)
- Staff report prepared for the City Planning Commission (August 13, 2018)
- Staff report and draft ordinance prepared for the City Planning Commission (November 4, 2019)