The Minneapolis zoning code is the City’s primary tool for regulating land uses and implementing the policies of the comprehensive plan.

The zoning code evolves for a variety of reasons. These reasons include, but are not limited to, the need to:

• Comply with state law or other public agency requirements
• Ensure consistency with adopted plans
• Respond to changing market conditions and development patterns
• Simplify and streamline City ordinances and processes

Process for initiating and reviewing zoning code amendments

• Members of the City Council propose (or "introduce") zoning code text amendments.
• The City prioritizes amendments through an established code development work plan and in coordination with the City Attorney’s office.
• City staff in CPED’s Code Development Team are responsible for researching zoning code text amendments and preparing draft language to present to policymakers.
• All zoning code changes are developed and reviewed through the following process in order to be adopted into the City’s code of ordinances.

Amendment initiated

• At a City Council meeting, a City Council member provides notice of intent to introduce an ordinance change.
• Subject matter is introduced at a City Council meeting one cycle after notice of intent has been provided. This step outlines the subject of the proposed ordinance and indicates which ordinance chapters may be changed.
• The ordinance change is referred to CPED for analysis, typically by the City Council’s Zoning & Planning Committee

Staff research

• City staff conducts research and analyzes options.
• Peer city comparisons.
• City Planning Commission discussion at Committee of the Whole.
• Draft amendment language proposed. Internal and external feedback is received and considered.

Formal adoption process

• A staff report is drafted and specific ordinance text is proposed and posted on the City Planning Commission’s web site.
• The City Planning Commission holds a public hearing, considers public feedback, and makes a recommendation to the City Council.
• The City Council’s Zoning & Planning Committee reviews the ordinance and makes a recommendation to the full City Council.
• The City Council acts on the proposed ordinance.
• Mayoral signature.
• The ordinance amendment is published, which is the effective date of the regulations. The ordinance change becomes part of the City’s code of ordinances.