HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/01/08 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - Planning Commission - Regular Planning commission meeting
January 8, 2025
6:00 p.m.
If you need special accommodations or have questions about the meeting, please call Sean Walther at 952.924.2574 or the
administration department at 952.924.2525.
Planning commission meeting
The St. Louis Park planning commission is meeting in person at St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005
Minnetonka Blvd. Members of the public can attend the planning commission meeting in
person or watch the regular meeting by webstream at www.parktv.org and on local cable
(Comcast SD channel 14 and HD channel 798). Visit bit.ly/slppcagendas to view the agenda and
reports.
You can provide comment on agenda items in person at the meeting or by emailing your
comments to info@stlouispark.org by noon the day of the meeting. Comments must be related
to an item on the meeting agenda.
Agenda
PLANNING COMMISSION
1. Call to order – roll call
2. Approval of minutes – Nov. 6, 2024, Dec. 4, 2024, and Dec. 18, 2024
3. Hearing
3.a. Public hearing - Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map
amendment – residential districts
Case No: 24-26-CP, 24-27-Z
4. Other Business
5. Communications
6. Adjournment
Future scheduled meeting/event dates:
January 15, 2025 – planning commission regular meeting
February 5, 2025 – planning commission regular meeting
February 19, 2025 – planning commission regular meeting
March 12, 2025 – planning commission regular meeting*
*meeting held on March 12 since Ash Wednesday is on March 5.
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Planning commission
November 6, 2024
6:00 p.m.
If you need special accommodations or have questions about the meeting, please call Sean Walther or the administration
department at 952.924.2525.
Planning commission
Members present: Jim Beneke, Mia Divecha, Matt Eckholm, Sylvie Hyman, Katie Merten,
Jan Youngquist
Members absent: Tom Weber
Staff present: Sean Walther, Katelyn Champoux
Guests:
1. Call to order – roll call.
2. Approval of minutes – Sept. 18 and Oct. 16, 2024.
Commissioner Hyman stated her name was misspelled in one set of minutes.
It was moved by Commissioner Eckholm, seconded by Commissioner Beneke, to approve the
Sept. 18 and Oct. 16, 2024, minutes as corrected. The motion passed 6-0.
3. Hearings.
3a. Public hearing: Cannabis zoning ordinance
Case No: 24-21-ZA
Ms. Champoux presented the report.
Commissioner Beneke asked if cannabis sales are allowed with other retail, such as a liquor
store, and also asked if cannabis can be sold at a restaurant. Ms. Champoux stated yes in terms
of restaurants, which falls into on-site consumption which is allowed at food and beverage
establishments located more than 300 feet from a school. She added that cannabis retailers will
not be allowed to locate within another retail establishment.
Chair Divecha asked if additional licenses would need to be applied for by establishments that
serve food and liquor if they want to sell cannabis on site. Mr. Walther stated yes but that will
no longer be issued by the city, but by the state. He added the city will likely have a registration
process.
Chair Divecha asked if the city limits liquor stores allowable and also how many liquor stores
are in the city. Ms. Champoux stated there is no limit on how many liquor stores there are in
the city. Mr. Walther stated the city has around 13 liquor stores, which is down from 18 or 19 a
few years ago. He added city council discussed this over 3 years and decided not to set a limit.
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Nov. 6, 2024
Chair Divecha asked about the rationale for the recommended limit of 4 cannabis retailers
within the city. Ms. Champoux stated staff has decided to handle setting a cap on retail
registrations through the registration regulations, so it is not in the zoning ordinance. She
added city council directed staff to set a cap on retail registrations at one retailer per 12,500
residents with the potential to evaluate it in the coming years. She stated this allows the city to
monitor this new enterprise and adjust as needed in the future.
Commissioner Youngquist asked for confirmation that the legislation allows the city to require
buffers around public parks but that staff are not recommending this. Ms. Champoux stated
that is correct.
Commissioner Youngquist asked if people will be able to consume cannabis in public parks. Mr.
Walther stated currently the answer is yes. Commissioner Youngquist asked if this is smoke or
edibles. Mr. Walther stated that the city policy is to be smoke-free in city recreational facilities
and that would also apply to cannabis smoking.
Commissioner Hyman asked about the difference between what is currently allowed and what
will be allowed after the ordinance is adopted. Ms. Champoux stated she believes the main
change will be the type of THC products being sold with a transition from only allowing THC
products derived from hemp which has a lower potency of THC to products derived from other
types of cannabis with higher potency. She added the sale of lower potency hemp products will
stay the same, and the cannabis regulations will be brought in for the newly legalized products.
Commissioner Hyman asked about the parking minimums for cannabis businesses and why
those are being added to the code. Ms. Champoux stated they were added to the code to align
with its existing structure in which each land use description has a parking requirement. Mr.
Walther stated because this is a distinguished category from retail, the parking requirement
was added for owners to understand what is expected.
Commissioner Hyman stated she believes this conflicts directly with the equity goals to have
parking minimums forced upon cannabis businesses. Chair Divecha stated this is documentation
to ensure the current zoning requirements are consistent with the current code. She added
without this there would be more issues with and discrepancies with parking at retail. She said
she hopes to address parking more broadly related to city codes in the future. Mr. Walther
stated the goal was to align requirements for similar uses.
Commissioner Merten stated this will set a minimum parking requirement, but a variance can
also be requested.
Commissioner Hyman stated she thought if the city has an opportunity to not require
something of businesses that might be struggling in the diversity and equity section, this would
be an opportunity to remove it.
Commissioner Eckholm added he does not agree with parking minimums for bars that sell a
product that directly creates problems for those who drive to consume it there. He stated in
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Nov. 6, 2024
this case he understands the logic and keeping it consistent, however noted he would be open
to it being lower or being removed.
Chair Divecha asked if the parking minimums are for places where people drive up, buy
products and drive home. Ms. Champoux stated yes, and added this is for off-site consumption.
Chair Divecha asked if this changes any zoning rules for restaurants. Ms. Champoux stated no.
Chair Divecha suggested approving this as is and communicating to city council that this be
addressed in the future.
Mr. Walther stated the minimum requirements in the code are baseline and can be reduced
depending on whether the establishment is near transit areas, or in a multi-tenant building
where parking is already present or there are opportunities for shared parking as well, which
reduces the overall amount of parking required. He stated this is probably a non-issue for new
establishments, and noted there have been recent amendments to city parking requirements
and allow for more reductions when warranted. He stated parking count minimums and
impacts to residents should be included in future discussions.
Commissioner Youngquist stated she does not think there should be one-off parking
requirements for certain businesses, and it should be part of the larger comprehensive
discussion on parking. She stated she foresees these businesses going into already existing
buildings where there are already parking requirements. She added given the timing we need
to get a code in place before January 2025 and is a larger conversation for the future.
Commissioner Merten asked for clarification on whether the limit to 4 retailers would apply to
off-sale and on-sale. Ms. Champoux stated the limit for cannabis retailers is not part of this
zoning ordinance and will be considered in the retail registration regulations to be brought to
city council. She added the limit is for off-sale, not for on-sale.
Commissioner Beneke asked if every restaurant or liquor store will want to do this. Ms.
Champoux stated she is not sure. Mr. Walther stated the uptake of low-potency products may
be an indication the city has issued around 19 licenses, so it seems not everyone wants to get
into that business.
Chair Divecha opened the public hearing.
There were no speakers present.
Chair Divecha closed the public hearing.
It was moved by Commissioner Youngquist, seconded by Commissioner Merten, to recommend
approval of the cannabis zoning ordinance as presented. The motion passed 6-0.
4. Other Business – none.
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Nov. 6, 2024
5. Communications.
Chair Divecha noted she participated in a very good discussion with the city council last week.
She stated there were also representatives there from the housing authority and the fire civil
service commission, all statutory boards of the city. She stated she provided the feedback that
was included in the email to commissioners and the message was well received. She stated she
explained to the council that the planning commission is highly engaged and explained the work
plan and that the commissioners’ skills are being leveraged well. She added information on
stipends which was well-received also.
Mr. Walther added joint meetings with other commissions on topics of common interest and
overlap were also discussed, and also sharing work with various other commissions and boards.
Chair Divecha added communications between planning commission and city council have
relied on city staff and staff has been doing this well, but that could be a risk with different
staff, which the council seemed to understand as well.
Mr. Walther noted recognition of service for Commissioner Katie Merten for her two years’
service on the commission. Commissioner Merten stated she is sad to depart the commission
and that she has enjoyed the discussions. Chair Divecha wished Commissioner Merten well in
the future.
Mr. Walther stated on Nov. 18 the council will be doing appointments for board and
commissions effective immediately or on Dec. 1.
6. Adjournment – 6:45 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Sean Walther, liaison Mia Divecha, chair member
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Planning commission
December 4, 2024
7:04 p.m.
If you need special accommodations or have questions about the meeting, please call Sean Walther or the administration
department at 952.924.2525.
Planning commission
Study Session
Members present: Jim Beneke, Mia Divecha, Matt Eckholm, Sylvie Hyman, Jan Youngquist,
Tom Weber, John Flanagan, Estella Hughes
Members absent: none
Staff present: Gary Morrison
1. Zoning code update
Mr. Morrison presented on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). He noted the ordinance
authorizing ADUs was adopted in 2020. The ADU regulations are included in the
proposed zoning code update, and staff would like to review the regulations with the
planning commission and suggest some amendments to the ordinance that could
resolve some hurdles encountered by people who desire to construct an ADU. These
amendments could be incorporated into the overall zoning code update.
Chair Divecha asked about accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and why it is written that the
property owner needs to be living on-site. Mr. Morrison stated some of the concern
may have been around a belief that when the owner lives on site there is better
maintenance of the property. There doesn’t appear to be any information that supports
this, however.
Chair Divecha asked if the city has property maintenance requirements for rental
properties and owners. Mr. Morrison stated yes, the property maintenance standards
are required for all properties, rental and owner occupied.
Commissioner Eckholm stated prior to the duplex discussion; AUDs were another option
the city looked at. He added requiring the property owner to live on the property is
potentially a barrier here. He also noted that rental properties are not always that and
can become owned property in the future.
Commissioner Weber asked if it’s a problem to have both a main house and ADU as
rentals, or if one or the other is purchased and the other rented. Mr. Morrison stated
the property owner owns both the principal dwelling and the ADU. Either or both can be
rented if someone buys a property that already has an ADU.
Commissioner Weber asked if there are any limits on rental owners and the number of
properties they own within the city. Mr. Morrison stated currently there are no limits.
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Dec. 4, 2024
Commissioner Youngquist noted she has a concern with ADUs and that they may all
become Airbnb’s. She asked about the city’s requirements with short-term rentals. Mr.
Morrison stated they are allowed, but the minimum stay is 30 days.
Chair Divecha stated the city should not have to regulate the size of an ADU, and that
market should handle that. She stated however, she is fine with the current two
hundred square foot minimum.
Commissioner Eckholm stated any smaller than 200 square feet for an ADU is a rooming
house size. He added there is no reason to go below this requirement.
Mr. Morrison presented on Group Daycares.
He noted staff reviewed the standards for group daycares and compared them to the
standards proposed to be applied to schools and places of worship in the proposed
ordinance. The review identified inconsistencies applied to each of the uses and staff
proposed to change the standards to treat these three uses similarly. For example, the
setbacks applied to buildings and outdoor play areas should be the same for each of the
uses since they are mitigating similar impacts.
Commissioner Eckholm asked if there should be a standard for when the daycare
operator is walking children to a park.
Chair Divecha stated there are solutions to this, with crossing streets and moving
children.
Chair Divecha asked about the number of children served at 16 or less in a group
daycare.
Mr. Morrison stated that carries over from the existing code. He stated family daycare is
allowed to be run out of a home and with 14 children. He stated staff is looking to have
consistency across the board on daycares within all districts.
Mr. Morrison presented on Non-statutory group homes.
He stated that non-statutory group homes are currently permitted with conditions
within all residential zoning districts. The conditions applied to them, however, vary
from district to district. In order to recommend standards for the new neighborhood
districts, staff reviewed the current conditions and are recommending amendments for
the use in each of the neighborhood districts. Mr. Morrison reviewed the
recommendations. The planning commission agreed with staff’s recommendations.
The commission discussed January meeting plans and future agendas.
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Dec. 4, 2024
2. Adjournment – 8:09 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Sean Walther, liaison Mia Divecha, chair member
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Planning commission
December 18, 2024
6:05 p.m.
If you need special accommodations or have questions about the meeting, please call Sean Walther or the administration
department at 952.924.2525.
Planning commission
Study Session
Members present: Jim Beneke, Mia Divecha, Matt Eckholm, Tom Weber, John Flanagan,
Estella Hughes (youth member)
Members absent: Sylvie Hyman, Jan Youngquist
Staff present: Sean Walther
1.Commission training
Soren Mattick, city attorney and partner with Campbell Knutson, provided planning
commission training and background and answered the commissioners' questions.
2.2025 work plan
Mr. Walther noted the council will be looking at the 2025 plan that planning commission
has worked on and then council will approve. This will be a discussion on what is missing
that needs to be added, as well as any future ideas, and if they are still relevant.
Commissioner Eckholm asked how long Phase 2 and 3 of zoning updates will take. Mr.
Walther stated the goal is to have it completed in 2025 prior to the start of the
comprehensive plan update.
Commissioner Eckholm asked if water conservation is within the planning commission's
scope. Mr. Walther stated this is on the fringe, and engineering would need to be
involved, as he would not be able to support it. Mr. Walther added it would be difficult
to go into too much depth.
Chair Divecha stated parking is her main priority and noted it will be addressed in the
performance standards.
Commissioner Weber stated what is already included is fine with him and he is not sure
the commission will get to the other items.
Chair Divecha added having more connections with council might be added to the work
plan, including more connections with the other boards and commissions as well.
Commissioner Eckholm agreed.
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Dec 18, 2024
Commissioner Eckholm added the comprehensive plan will be the time for the public to
weigh in on items. He stated staff has done a good job of getting messages out, but
possibly the planning commissioners need to reach out to the public as well and
encourage them to become involved.
Chair Divecha noted at the planning commission meeting January 8, the public will
weigh in on the zoning code. She asked about the 3 minutes each for public comment
and stated she will want to set the tone. She asked about ground rules on questions and
answers.
Commissioner Eckholm stated taking notes will be helpful and keeping track of how
many times a certain topic comes up and then it can be brought to the commission at a
later date for discussion or brought to staff’s attention for response. He added laying
out the rules at the beginning of the meeting will also be helpful.
Mr. Walther added explaining to the public that there is a limited amount of time to
speak will be helpful and noted that some may also submit written comments. He stated
all questions can be referred to staff for response at the end of the meeting or at a later
time.
Mr. Walther and the commissioners also discussed parliamentary procedure, how they
will be used during the meeting, and details of the meeting process. Mr. Walther added
this is the public hearing about this item, and added the public can be told information
from this meeting will then be forwarded to the city council.
3. Adjournment – 8:07 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Sean Walther, liaison Mia Divecha, chair member
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Planning commission: Regular meeting
Meeting date: January 8, 2025
Agenda item: 3a.
3a.Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
Executive summary
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
Recommended action: Motion(s) to recommend approval of the amendments to the
comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, and zoning map as recommended by staff.
Summary: St. Louis Park’s Vision 3.0, strategic priorities and 2040 comprehensive plan call for
providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood-oriented development and allowing
more housing types in all residential areas. Amending the zoning code and zoning map will
implement the city’s policies and better reflect the city priorities, goals and strategies.
An assessment of the zoning code and community engagement about housing was initiated in
2023. A survey to gauge community support levels for various housing types had 317
respondents that generally supported more housing and favored smaller housing types.
Based on the documents and community input above, and the outcomes of a focused
conversation and workshop with the city council at its November 13, 2023 study session, staff
worked with the planning commission to draft a zoning ordinance in 2024 that proposes to:
1. Replace the existing five residential zoning districts with four new neighborhood districts.
2. Allow more housing types in the neighborhood districts.
3. Revise performance standards such as lot size, setbacks, height, and impervious surface
limits.
The zoning code changes allowing smaller lot sizes and additional housing types, as proposed,
will require amendments to the 2040 comprehensive plan to:
1. Adjust the descriptions and density ranges allowed for the residential land use categories.
2. Amend the 2040 future land use map.
3. Amend tables to reflect the changes to the 2040 future land use map.
Additional community engagement occurred in the months of June, July and December in 2024
when more detail of the city’s proposed was available. Staff and planning commission then
continued to refine the proposals and completed the draft zoning ordinance and 2040
comprehensive plan amendments.
Supporting documents: Discussion, draft zoning ordinance, existing and proposed zoning maps,
draft comprehensive plan amendment, comments received from the December 19, 2024 open
house. Not attached, but as a link: September 9, 2024 city council agenda with outreach results,
Prepared by: Gary Morrison, zoning administrator
Laura Chamberlain, senior planner
Reviewed by: Sean Walther, planning manager/deputy community development director
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
Discussion
Background – zoning ordinance amendment. The draft ordinance consists primarily of
amendments to the following four articles/divisions. Although additional administrative
amendments will be made throughout the zoning ordinance to replace the current names of
the residential districts with the new “neighborhood” district names and redirect references
from one section of code to others as needed and resulting from the proposed amendments
and address how substandard lots are handled in article III.
A summary of the proposed changes is as follows:
1. Article 1-General. This consists of general information that applies to the entire zoning
ordinance such as definitions. Adds definitions for new housing types, and many definitions
that are currently scattered throughout the zoning ordinance are now consolidated into
this one list of definitions.
2. Article IV, Division 1 – Generally. This replaces the existing residential district names with
the proposed neighborhood district names. No substantial changes to this division.
3. Article IV, Division 2 – Land Use. This division is updated to include the new housing types.
4. Article IV, Division 4 – Residential District Standards. This division replaces the current
Article IV, Division 4 in its entirety, and this is where the bulk of the changes to the zoning
districts are found. These changes include:
a. Replacing the existing five residential zoning districts with four new neighborhood
zoning districts.
b. Adding additional housing types to each of the proposed neighborhood zoning districts.
This will result in adding two-unit, three-unit dwellings, and courtyard cottages to areas
of the city that are currently single-unit housing only.
c. Reducing lot sizes and in some cases setbacks.
d. Establishing a maximum impervious surface ratio.
e. Reducing the overall size of the zoning ordinance.
f. Making the ordinance more accessible to the public by presenting the regulations in an
easy to read format.
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
The changes proposed by the ordinance are summarized as follows:
1. Consolidate the current five residential zoning districts into four neighborhood zoning
districts as follows:
2. Allow for a variety of housing types in each of the proposed neighborhood zoning districts
as follows:
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
3. Allow for a variety of lot sizes depending on the housing type and whether or not the
property is adjacent to an alley as follows:
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
4. Provide various dimensional standards that are specific to the housing types as follows:
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
5. The lot size and dimensional standards information shown above is provided in table
format, which is a new feature proposed for the zoning ordinance. The tables make the
information easier to read and compare to other housing types and districts.
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
6. In addition to the changes above, staff propose the following amendments that are either
new to the zoning ordinance or amendments to existing zoning regulations. The following
changes are proposed as updates and to provide consistent regulations for standards
applying to similar uses.
a. Establish an overall maximum impervious surface limit of 60% for properties with
housing types ranging from one unit to three units and for courtyard cottages, 75% for
four-units and small townhomes, and 80% for all others.
b. Accessory dwelling units. The ordinance authorizing ADUs was adopted in 2020. The
ordinance proposes the following amendments to help facilitate construction of ADUs:
i. Remove the requirement that the initial construction of an accessory dwelling unit
must only occur on a property that is occupied by the property owner as their
primary residence.
ii. Reduce the rear yard from 15 feet to five feet. The five-foot rear yard would be
consistent with the existing five-foot side yard requirement.
c. Group daycares, education, and places of worship. These are similar uses allowed in the
neighborhood districts, yet they have varying setback requirements. The ordinance
proposes to apply consistent setbacks to each of these for structures and play areas.
d. Non-statutory group homes. Non-statutory group homes are currently permitted with
conditions within all residential zoning districts. The conditions applied to them,
however, vary from district to district. The ordinance proposes standards that will be
consistently applied to the N-1 and N-2, and consistent standards applied to the N-3 and
N-4 districts.
e. Add group daycares as a permitted use in the neighborhood districts. This is proposed
because group daycares are an important component of neighborhoods and their
operation and appearance are similar to schools and places of worship, which are also
permitted in the neighborhood districts.
f. Require properties with alley access to utilize the alley instead of the street for access.
This requirement applies to all new construction or housing type conversions only.
Existing dwellings that do not comply with this requirement are allowed to continue as
conforming use.
g. Limit the percentage a garage door can occupy of the street facing façade to 50% and
require the garage door to be setback from the front façade of the principal building.
This is a design requirement that will help preserve the architectural emphasis being on
the front door of the principal building instead of the accessory garage door.
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
Zoning map. The zoning ordinance would consolidate the five existing residential zoning
districts into four new neighborhood zoning districts. Therefore, the map needs to be amended.
Generally speaking, the changes to the map:
1. Consolidate the current R-1 single-family, R-2 single-family, and the R-3 two-family
residential zoning districts to the N-1 and N-2 zoning districts.
2. Convert the R-4 multiple-family residence district to the N-3 neighborhood district.
3. Convert the RC high-density multiple-family residence district into the N-4 neighborhood
district.
4. Focus the N-2 neighborhood district along key transportation corridors and surrounding
several neighborhood commercial nodes.
A copy of the current and proposed zoning maps are attached for your review.
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
Community engagement. The community engagement opportunities began in 2023 with a
survey to gauge community support levels for various housing types. There were 317
respondents, and they generally favored smaller housing types. Community engagement
continued with open houses, social media posts, an article in the Park Perspective and email
notifications. They outreach is summarized below. The written comments received from each
of these activities were presented to the planning commission and city council. They can be
viewed by clicking on the September 9, 2024 city council agenda link located on the first page of
this report. The comments are at the end of that document.
Comments received. There were a variety of comments speaking in favor of the zoning
ordinance amendment and comments expressing concerns. Those in favor of the ordinance
noted the addition of the housing types and believed it was time for St. Louis Park to add the
missing middle housing types. Others expressed concerns about property values and impact to
the neighborhood. Staff’s response to each of these concerns is summarized below.
Comments received - property value. Many comments received expressed concerns that the
ordinance will decrease property values if a duplex or triplex were constructed next or near to a
single unit dwelling. It was noted during the outreach that St. Louis Park’s first zoning ordinance
allowed single and two-unit dwellings in all its low density residential zoning districts. As a
result, there are duplexes scattered throughout the city’s currently single-family only zoning
districts. Many of these two-unit dwellings exist as legal, non-conforming uses. The fact that
there are two-unit and three-unit dwellings dispersed in the single-family only zoning districts
allowed the city assessor and the geographic information systems coordinator to plot the
relationship of a single-unit dwellings’ values compared to their proximity to two-unit and
three-unit dwellings. This data shows that there is no correlation. The median property value
stayed the same regardless of proximity to a two-family dwelling. Therefore, there is no data
that supports the concern that property values will decline if a duplex or triplex is constructed
adjacent or near to a single unit dwelling.
Comments received – visual impact. Some concerns were expressed about how a duplex or
triplex would look when constructed on a block with single-unit dwellings. Staff shared that
two- and three-unit dwellings must fit within the same footprint, yard and height requirements
that are allowed for single-unit dwellings. To illustrate this point, below are some images of
housing types that currently exist in St. Louis Park or have recently been constructed in
Minneapolis, and an illustration of how the housing type could fit on a proposed lot size. The
contemporary, local market, new construction example images show how two- and three-unit
dwellings could blend into an existing St. Louis Park single-unit neighborhood.
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
Two-unit dwelling. These images show a recently constructed duplex in Minneapolis and a
duplex that was constructed in St. Louis Park around 1900. The duplex in Minneapolis is a 2 ½
story dwelling and the duplex in St. Louis Park is two stories.
Three-unit dwelling. This image shows a three-unit dwelling recently constructed in
Minneapolis. It is a 2 ½ story building and is an example of what could be constructed in St.
Louis park and how it would fit within the proposed neighborhood districts.
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
Summary of community engagement opportunities. The variety of online and in-person
community engagement offered and ways these were publicized are summarized below:
• Communication of the public input opportunities was sent to all households via
information in the Park Perspective city newsletter that is mailed to every address, as
well as posts placed on social media platforms and information boards displayed at
Ecotacular as part of Parktacular (with a QR code for people to link to the online project
page and input opportunities).
• Emails were sent to the 1,417 people that that signed up for updates.
• A virtual meeting in June 2024 introduced the proposed residential zoning updates as
well as background zoning/housing information and explained how to use the online
input tools; a recording of the presentation portion of the meeting was available
afterward on the online project page.
• Seven in-person open houses were offered at multiple locations and times of the day
and days of the week. These were conducted during June and July of 2024.
• Information boards were displayed at Parktacular/Ecotacular, which included a QR code
for people to link to the online project page and input opportunities. Planning and
zoning division staffed the table at this event.
• An online interactive proposed zoning map allowed people to leave their comments and
respond to others’ comments about specific locations on the proposed zoning map.
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
• Short online surveys allowed people to provide their input related to each of the four
proposed districts and the additional standards for some of the housing types.
• A press release was sent to the Sun Sailor, the city’s official newspaper.
A final open house was conducted on December 19, 2024. This open house was advertised in
the Park Perspective, which is mailed to all residents within the city. It was also advertised on
the project webpage and through social media. And an email was sent to those signed up for
updates on the zoning code update and to those that signed up for general news from the city.
In total 9,000 emails were sent letting people know about the zoning ordinance update and the
December 19, 2024 open house. There were 624 visits to the project webpage on the city
website as a result of the article about the zoning code update in the Park Perspective and the
9,000 emails. People were encouraged to attend the open house and/or submit written
comments. Sixteen comments were made at the meeting. An additional 9 comments were
received by email following the open house. These comments are attached to the report.
Overview of community engagement and input. The community engagement is summarized
below. It describes the various community engagement activities, level of involvement,
comments received and key takeaways. The following is a breakdown of how people
responded:
• Online project information accessed by 400+ people
• Online survey – 61 responses
• Online proposed zoning map – 32 comments
• In-person open houses – 29 attendees
• Virtual meeting – 5 attendees
Additionally, the city made several posts to our various social media platforms. The table below
lists the dates posts were made on the platforms, the likes, shares, and number of comments
received. The comments are attached at the end of the report.
Facebook -Date Comments Shares
6/6/2024 19 0
6/21/2024 3 0
7/9/024 45 5
7/27/2024 6 11
Instagram-Date Comments
6/6/2024 10
6/21/2024 0
7/9/2024 2
7/27/2024 3
LinkedIn-Date Comments Reposts
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
6/6/2024 0 0
6/21/2024 0 1
7/9/2024 0 0
Nextdoor-Date Comments
6/13/2024 10
6/21/2024 0
In addition to the comments provided to the social media posts, comments were also
submitted on the zoning code update story map available on the city website. Story map
provided an interactive map and the ability to leave comments directly onto the proposed
zoning map. The surveys provided the ability to comment specifically about each zoning district,
and the online zoning map provided the ability to comment on specific areas of the city. A
variety of comments were received that center around the following:
• Concern was expressed about adding additional housing types to the existing single-
family only zoning districts.
• Support was expressed about adding additional housing types to the existing single-
family only zoning districts.
• Support was expressed for additional housing types along transportation corridors.
• Some areas were encouraged to be zoned for N-2 instead of N-1. (See zoning map for
the location of these comments.)
The survey included an opportunity to rate on a scale of 1-5 (1 being the lowest) their level of
support for the question asked. The average level of support on the scale for each proposed
district is as follows:
• N-1: 2.9
• N-2: 4.2
• N-3: 4.3
• N-4: 3.5
Background – comprehensive plan amendment. Introducing smaller lot sizes and additional
housing types will require an amendment to the 2040 comprehensive plan to amend the
allowed densities for the land use districts as described below.
The 2040 Comprehensive Plan sets forth several goals and policies that were the basis for this
proposed zoning code update. The goals and policies are summarized below.
The proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan are attached at the end of the report. In
summary, the comprehensive plan amendment proposes to:
1. Change the density allowed in each of the three residential land use designations as follows:
Land Use Designation Current Density Range Proposed Density Range
RL – Low Density Residential 3 to 10 units/acre 3 to 18 units/acre
RM – Medium Density Residential 6 to 30 units/acre 18 to 30 units/acre
RH – High Density Residential 30 to 75 units/acre 30 to 75 units/acre*
*Up to 125 units/acre through PUD or zoning density bonuses.
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
2. Amend the land use descriptions to include the additional housing types proposed in the
comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance amendment. This amendment will result in:
a. The RL land use designation reflecting the housing types allowed in the N-1
neighborhood zoning district.
b. The RM land use designation reflecting the housing types allowed in the N-2
neighborhood zoning district.
c. The RH land use designation reflecting the housing types allowed in the N-3 and N-4
neighborhood zoning districts.
3. Amend the land use map to be consistent with the proposed zoning map. The most notable
change is guiding the land adjacent to the transportation corridors from RL to RM. This
change reflects the proposed zoning map which shows the N-2 neighborhood zoning district
along these corridors. Larger maps are attached at the end of the report.
26
Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
4. Amend the table showing the acreage of each of the land use designations. The changes are
as follows:
Land Use Designation
Current
Acres*
Proposed
Acres*
Difference
(acres)
RL - Low Density Residential 2,484.23 2,419.33 -64.90
RM - Medium Density Residential 381.36 445.36 64.00
RH - High Density Residential 219.46 214.56 -4.90
MX - Mixed Use 52.81 52.81 0.00
TOD - Transit Oriented Development 82.62 82.62 0.00
COM - Commercial 254.26 256.56 2.30
OFC - Office 212.16 212.26 0.10
BP - Business Park 103.65 103.65 0.00
IND - Industrial 199.64 187.44 -12.20
CIV - Civic 204.38 205.38 1.00
PRK - Park and Open Space 561.79 578.19 16.40
ROW - Right of Way 1,502.14 1,500.34 -1.80
RRR - Railroad 150.80 150.80 0.00
Water/Wetlands 499.44 499.44 0.00
Total 6,908.74 6,908.74 0.00
*All acreages are net
The above changes to the comprehensive plan are supported by the city council strategic
priorities and the land use goals and strategies of the comprehensive plan as outlined below.
Strategic Priorities
St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood-oriented
development.
• Providing more diverse and creative housing choices to meet the needs of current and
future residents while preserving existing affordable housing.
• Fostering and facilitating reinvestment and redevelopment of neighborhood-oriented
businesses and services.
• Promoting locally owned small business, especially in indigenous, immigrant and
communities of color.
• Conducting research to further understand what people want and need access to in the
community, i.e., food, services, housing options, business opportunities, gathering
spaces.
Land Use Goals and Strategies
Livable Communities Goal #2: Promote building and site design that creates a connected,
human scale, multi-modal, and safe environment for people who live and work here.
A. Encourage quality design in new construction such as building orientation, scale,
massing, and pedestrian access.
B. Encourage new buildings to orient to walkable streets with appropriate building
height to street width ratios.
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
Residential Land Use Goal #1: Create a mix of residential land uses and housing types to
increase housing choices, including affordable housing, and increase the viability of
neighborhood services through redevelopment or infill development.
A. Engage the community to determine how to allow a broader range of housing
types and densities within and adjacent to existing low density residential
neighborhoods that are complementary and compatible with the existing
neighborhood character.
B. Promote and support the development of medium and high density residential
land uses near commercial centers and nodes.
C. Ensure that new and redeveloped medium and high density residential land uses
are located within walking distance of transit and commercial services.
D. Engage the community to explore how to increase the mix of housing types near
transit corridors, parks and commercial nodes/corridors.
Residential Land Use Goal #2: Preserve and enhance the livability and unique character of each
neighborhood’s residential areas.
Housing Goals and Strategies
Housing Goal #1: The City of St. Louis Park will promote and facilitate a balanced and enduring
housing stock that offers a continuum of diverse life-cycle housing choices suitable for
households of all income levels including, but not limited to affordable, senior, multi-
generational, supportive and mixed-income housing, disbursed throughout the city.
A. Create a broad range of housing types to provide more diverse and creative
housing choices to meet the needs of current and future residents.
B. Review existing policies, programs and regulations to remove barriers to
innovative and creative housing options.
C. Ensure new housing policies promote fair and equitable housing choices.
D. Use data and research to guide and evaluate housing priorities, policies, and
programs.
E. Use infill and redevelopment opportunities to assist in meeting housing goals.
F. Create policies, tools and strategies to promote the goals of the city’s Climate
Action Plan, encouraging energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption in
residential properties.
G. Create senior housing opportunities: both market rate and affordable,
homeownership and rental, and active and supportive.
Housing Goal #2: The city is committed to creating, preserving, and improving the city’s single-
family housing stock.
A. Promote the creation of family-sized, owner-occupied, single-family homes that
meet the needs and desires of current and future residents through the
expansion of existing homes and through construction of new homes.
B. Proactively address substandard housing properties through code enforcement
and public or private redevelopment activities such as acquisition, demolition
and housing replacement.
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
C. Promote high-quality architectural design standards of homes through the use of
good design practices which are complementary and compatible with the
neighborhood, utilizing quality materials and superior construction.
D. Allow for Accessory Housing Units (AHUs) in all low density residential areas.
E. Allow for two-family dwelling units (twin homes and duplexes) on appropriately-
sized lots in low density residential areas.
Housing Goal #3: The city is committed to promoting quality multi-family developments, both
rental and owner occupied, in appropriate locations, including near transit centers, retail and
employment centers and in commercial mixed use districts.
A. Promote the preservation and maintenance of existing multi-family housing
stock.
B. Promote high-quality architectural design in the construction of new multi-family
developments.
C. Be proactive in analyzing and guiding redevelopment opportunities for multi-
family developments.
D. Increase densities and housing options on high- frequency transit routes and
near rail stations.
Housing Goal #4: The city is committed to creating, preserving and improving the city’s rental
housing stock.
A. Ensure rental housing is well-maintained and safe through policies and programs
for property owners including building inspections, education and rehabilitation
resources.
B. Promote the inclusion of family-sized units (2 and 3 bedroom) in newly
constructed multi- family developments.
C. Minimize the involuntary displacement of people of color, indigenous people
and vulnerable populations, such as low-income households, the elderly and
people with disabilities from their communities as neighborhoods grow and
change.
Housing Goal #5: The city is committed to promoting home ownership, including affordable
homeownership options and exploring traditional and non-traditional owner-occupied housing
options such as: row houses, courtyard housing, high-rises, live-work units, three-story homes,
co-housing, Land Trust, Habitat sponsored homes, and multi-generational housing.
A. Promote and facilitate a balanced and sustainable housing stock to meet diverse
needs for today and in the future.
B. Continue promoting first-time home buyer, homeownership counseling, down
payment, and other assistance programs.
C. Expand homeownership opportunities and improve access to homeownership,
especially for low-income residents, people with disabilities, and people of color.
D. Explore strategies and tools to prevent loss of affordable homeownership
opportunities, especially near light rail transit station areas.
29
Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
Housing Goal #6: The city is committed to promoting affordable housing options for low- and
moderate-income households.
A. Ensure affordable housing is disbursed throughout the city and not concentrated
in any one area.
B. Continue to support the preservation of naturally-occurring affordable housing.
C. Promote the inclusion of affordable housing in new developments, including
those located near the Southwest Light Rail Transit Corridor and other transit
nodes, retail and employment centers and commercial mixed-use districts.
D. Pursue policies, tools and programs to ensure long-term housing affordability for
households at or below 30, 50, 60 and 80% of AMI.
Next step: If the planning commission recommends approval of the draft ordinance, then the
ordinance will be forwarded to the city council for consideration.
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Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
ATTACHMENTS:
Draft zoning ordinance
The following draft ordinance shows mark-ups in the following articles which identify the
specific changes:
Articles 1
Article IV Division 1
Article IV Division 2
Article IV Division 4 is a comprehensive change of the residential zoning districts converting
them from the current residential districts to the proposed neighborhood districts. Additionally,
article IV division 4 introduces a new format utilizing tables to display the data. Therefore,
article IV division 4 is does not show the changes like the first three articles do. Instead it is a
complete replacement of article IV division 4 in its entirety.
31
ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL
Division 1. INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
Sec. 36-1. Findings
The city council finds it necessary to accomplish the following:
(a) Protect the residential, business, industrial and public areas of the community and maintain
their stability.
(b) Promote the most appropriate and orderly development of the residential, business,
industrial and public areas.
(c) Provide adequate light, air and convenient access to property.
(d) Limit congestion in the public rights-of-way.
(e) Prevent overcrowding of land and undue concentration of structures by regulating the use of
land and buildings and the bulk of buildings in relation to the land surrounding them.
(f) Provide for compatibility of different land uses.
(g) Require that development proceed according to the principles, goals, objectives,
implementation strategies, and land use designations established in the city's
comprehensive plan.
(h) Maintain a tax base necessary to the economic welfare of the city by insuring optimum
values for property in the city.
(i) Enhance the aesthetic character and appearance of the city.
(j) Conserve natural resources and environmental assets of the community.
(k) Provide adequate off-street parking and loading facilities.
(l) Define the powers and duties of the board of zoning appeals and the planning commission.
(m) Provide effective administration of this chapter and any future amendments to the ordinance
from which this chapter is derived and prescribe penalties for the violation of its
requirements.
(n) Establish a continuing system of review of this chapter to ensure it will be amended to meet
the changing needs of the community and advances in science and the arts.
(Code 1976, § 14:1-1.2)
Sec. 36-2. Purpose and intent of chapter.
(a) To implement these findings, the city council, through this chapter, establishes minimum
requirements to protect the public health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience and general
welfare of the people. This chapter shall divide the city into use districts and establish
regulations which control the location, erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration and
use of structures and land.
(Code 1976, § 14:2)
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Sec. 36-3. Rule of construction.
(a) Construction. The following rules of construction govern the interpretation of the language of
this chapter:
(1) The singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
(2) The present tense includes the past and future tenses and the future includes the
present.
(3) The word "shall" is mandatory, and the word "may" is permissive.
Whenever a word or term which is defined in this chapter appears in the text of this
chapter, its meaning shall be that stated in the chapter definition. Words or terms which
are not defined in this chapter shall have the meaning found in the most recent edition of
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. Words not defined in that dictionary shall have their
ordinary, usual meaning at the time the word or term is being applied to a zoning
question or situation. General words are construed to be restricted in their meaning by
preceding particular words.
(b) Interpretation. The following rules apply to determine the boundaries of a zoning district or
the status of a land use:
(1) Zoning district boundaries.
a. In determining the location of zoning district boundaries, the zoning administrator
shall consider the provisions of section 36-114. If these provisions are not
applicable and distances and dimensions are not labeled, the zoning
administrator shall determine the location of the line by scaling from the official
copy of the zoning map.
b. If the zoning administrator determines the location of the zoning district boundary
along a line which passes through a building or structure, the boundary line shall
be adjusted so that the line falls outside of the building or structure at a location
most compatible with the purpose and intent of this chapter.
(2) Land use.
a. The only uses which can be made are those uses listed in the district and these
are permitted only in the manner described by this chapter.
b. Any person seeking to establish a use of land or a building which is not
specifically listed in any of the use categories in this chapter may ask the zoning
administrator which category of use shall be applied. The zoning administrator's
decision will establish whether the proposed use is permitted under any of the
categories in this chapter. The zoning administrator shall consider functional
similarities between uses listed in this chapter and the proposed use including
nuisance characteristics, traffic, appearance and mode and hours of operation in
making this determination. The determination of the zoning administrator shall be
in writing and shall include a statement whether the use is designated as
"permitted," "permitted with conditions," "permitted as a conditional use" or
"permitted as an accessory use." If the zoning administrator determines that the
proposed use is not permitted under any category, that conclusion shall be stated
in the written determination.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
(3) Appeal. Any decision of the zoning administrator determining zoning district
boundaries or permitted land uses may be appealed to the board of zoning appeals
under the provisions of subsection 36-31(a).
(4) Performance time; delivery and filing time. Where the performance or doing of any
act, duty, matter, payment or thing is ordered or directed and the period of time or
duration for the performance or doing thereof is described and fixed by this chapter,
the time shall be computed so as to exclude the first and include the last day of the
prescribed or fixed period or duration of time. When the last day of the period falls on
Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, that day shall be omitted from the computation.
When an application, payment, drawing, contract or other document is to be
delivered to or filed with any department of the city or other unit of government on or
before a prescribed date and the prescribed date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or
legal holiday, it is timely delivered or filed if it is delivered or filed on the next
succeeding day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
(5) Purpose of interpretation and construction of chapter. The object of all interpretation
and construction of this chapter is to ascertain and effectuate the intention of the city
council. This chapter shall be construed, if possible, to give effect to all the chapter
provisions. When the words of this chapter in their application to an existing situation
are clear and free from all ambiguity, the letter of this chapter shall not be
disregarded under the pretext of pursuing the spirit.
a. When the words of this chapter are not explicit, the intention of the city council
may be ascertained by considering, among other matters:
1. The occasion and necessity for this chapter or specific provision.
2. The circumstance under which it was enacted.
3. The mischief to be remedied.
4. The object to be attained.
5. The former zoning ordinance.
6. The consequences of a particular interpretation.
7. Administrative interpretations of this chapter and interpretations by the board
of zoning appeals and the city council.
b. In ascertaining the intention of the city council, the following presumptions apply:
1. The city council does not intend a result that is absurd, impossible of
execution, or unreasonable.
2. The city council intends the entire chapter to be effective and certain.
3. The city council does not intend to violate the Constitution of the United
States or the state constitution.
4. The city council intends to favor the public interest as against any private
interest.
(6) Grammatical errors. Grammatical errors shall not destroy the application of this
chapter. A transposition of words and clauses may be resorted to when a sentence is
34
St. Louis Park Zoning Code
without meaning as it stands. Words and phrases which may be necessary to the
proper interpretation of this chapter and which do not conflict with its obvious
purpose and intent, nor in any way affect its scope in operation, may be added in the
construction thereof.
(7) Provisos. Provisos shall be construed to limit rather than to extend the operation of
the clauses to which they refer. Exceptions expressed in this chapter shall be
construed to exclude all others.
(8) Penalty; forfeiture. When a penalty or forfeiture is provided for the violation of this
chapter, such penalty or forfeiture shall be construed to be for each such violation.
Each day that a violation exists shall constitute a separate violation.
(9) Provision conflicts. When a general provision of this chapter conflicts with a special
provision in this chapter, the two shall be construed if possible so that effect shall be
given to both. If the conflict between the two provisions is irreconcilable, the special
provisions shall prevail and shall be construed as an exception to the general
provision unless the general provision was enacted subsequent to the special
provision and it shall be the manifest intention of the city council that such general
provisions shall prevail. When several clauses are irreconcilable, the chapter clause
last in order of date or position shall prevail. When the provisions of two or more
amendments to this chapter passed at different dates are irreconcilable, the
amendment latest in date of final enactment shall prevail.
(10) Amendment. When a section or part of the ordinance from which this chapter is
derived is amended, the amendment shall be construed as merging into the original
ordinance, becoming a part thereof, and replacing the part amended, and the
remainder of the original ordinance and the amendment shall be read together and
viewed as one ordinance passed at one time. The portions of this chapter which
were not altered by the amendment shall be construed as effective from the date of
the first enactment, and the new provision shall be construed as effective only from
the date when the amendment became effective. When this chapter adopts the
provisions of state statute by reference, it also adopts by reference any subsequent
amendments of that statute except when the intent of the city council is clearly to the
contrary. If two or more amendments to the same provision or this chapter are
enacted at the same or at different times, one amendment overlooking and making
no reference to the other, the amendments shall be construed together if possible
and effect be given to each. If the amendments are irreconcilable, the amendment
latest in date of final enactment shall prevail.
(11) Appendix. The appendix is for information purposes only and is not intended to
govern.
(12) Diagrams. Diagrams, where provided, are intended to be illustrative only and
may not be drawn to scale. Where a conflict exists between a diagram and text, the
text shall prevail.
(c) Separability. Provisions in this chapter are separable if the following events occur:
(1) If a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of this chapter to be invalid,
that judgment shall not affect any other provision of this chapter not specifically
included in the judgment.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
(2) If a court of competent jurisdiction finds the application of any portion of this chapter
to a particular property, building, or other structure invalid, that judgment shall not
affect the application of the provision to any other property, building or structure not
specifically included in the judgment.
(3) If a court of competent jurisdiction finds any individual condition of a conditional use
permit invalid, that judgment shall not invalidate any other condition of the same
conditional use permit not specifically included in such judgment nor shall it
invalidate the application of the same condition in any other conditional use permit.
(d) Jurisdiction and authority.
(1) This chapter is enacted under the authority granted to the city in state statutes. If
those statutes are amended to restrict or enlarge the authority delegated to the city,
those amendments shall be incorporated into this chapter.
(2) Any action by the city to extend the time limit to process a zoning application in
accordance with Minn. Stat 15.99, as amended, may be taken administratively
without city council approval.
(3) This chapter governs the use of all land and structures in the city unless such
regulation is specifically preempted by state or federal statutes or regulations.
(Ord. No. 2419-12, 9-14-12)
(e) Application.
(1) Minimum requirements. The provisions of this chapter are the minimum requirements
for the promotion of the public health, safety, morals and general welfare.
(2) More restrictive applications. Where the conditions imposed by any provision of this
chapter are either more or less restrictive than comparable conditions imposed by
any other applicable law, ordinance, statute, resolution or regulation of any kind, the
regulations which are more restrictive, or which impose higher standards or
requirements shall control.
(3) Mixed use. All regulations applicable to each use in a mixed-use development shall
be applicable, except where the mixed use is approved under section 36-367 or
where parking is approved under subsection (b)(2)l. of section 36-361.
(4) Essential services. Essential services shall be permitted as authorized and regulated
by state law and ordinances of the city. Such essential services are exempt from the
application of this chapter, except when they are conducted in the FW, FF and FP
overlay districts.
(5) Measurement. All measured distance expressed in feet shall be to the nearest tenth
of a foot. The measurement of distances when required by this chapter shall be done
in a straight line in the plane located at a point one foot above the highest point in the
surface of the ground along the path of measurement, from the closest exterior wall
(extended vertically if a cantilever) of a building containing the use to the property
line of the adjacent street, district, or lot or other boundary line. If the use is not within
a building, the measurement shall be the shortest distance from the location of the
use to the property line of the adjacent street, district, or lot or other boundary line.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
(Code 1976, § 14:2-0; Ord. No. 2419-12, 9-14-2012)
Sec. 36-4. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different
meaning:
Abandonment means to cease or discontinue a use or activity for any reason, but excluding
temporary interruptions to the use during periods of building or remodeling where a valid
building permit has been issued or during periods of routine seasonal closure.
Abutting means having a common border or boundary with or being separated from such a
common border by an alley. This term is used interchangeably with adjacent and adjoining.
Access aisle and aisle mean the traveled way by which vehicles enter and depart parking
spaces.
Accessory use or structure means a use or a structure subordinate to the principal use or
structure on the same land and customarily incidental thereto.
Accessory building means a detached building subordinate to the principal building, the use
of which is incidental to that of the principal building or to the use of the premises. Examples
include, but are not limited to, garages, storage sheds and gazebos. In the case of an
accessory structure building, both the building footprint and building height of an accessory
building are smaller than the principal building.
Accessory structure means a structure subordinate to the principal building, the use of which
is incidental to that of the principal building or to the principal use of the premises. Examples
include, but are not limited to, decks, fencing, and landscape features such as a pergola.
Adjacent means having a common border or boundary with or being separated from such a
common border by an alley. This term is used interchangeably with abutting and adjoining.
Adjoining means having a common border or boundary with or being separated from such a
common border by an alley. This term is used interchangeably with abutting and adjacent.
Alley means a public right-of-way, with a width not exceeding 24 feet nor less than 12 feet
which affords a secondary means of access to property abutting the alley.
Alteration means any change, addition, or modification in construction or occupancy of an
existing structure or modification to the surface of the ground.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Basement means that portion of the building having more than half the ground floor-to-
ceiling height below the average grade of the adjoining ground.
Berm means a land alteration where fill is added to the surface of the ground in order to
create an earthen mound or hill generally used in conjunction with walls, fences, or plant
materials to screen one parcel of land from another or from a street.
Block front means the distance between intersections along one side of a street.
Boardinghouse means a building other than a motel or hotel where for compensation or by
prearrangement for definite periods, meals or lodging are provided for three or more
persons, but not to exceed eight persons. Boulevard means that portion of a street right-of-
way between the curbline and property line.
Building means any structure having a roof which may provide shelter or enclosure of
persons, animals or personal property.
Building face means that portion of the exterior wall of a structure which shall lie in a vertical
plane. One face shall be terminated by an exterior angle of at least 210 degrees formed by
two exterior walls each being at least 18 feet in length or a curved portion of such exterior
wall which shall have a central angle of 30 degrees or more.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Building face, front, means the elevation of a principal building that is oriented toward the
front lot line of an interior lot. On a corner lot, the front building face may be oriented toward
the front lot line or a side lot line adjacent to a street. The front face of the principal building
contains an entry to the building and that entrance is more architecturally prominent when
viewed from public streets. Said entrance does not include an overhead garage door. When
it is ambiguous, the zoning administrator determines which is the front face of the building.
Building face, rear, means the elevation of a principal building that is opposite the front face
of the same principal building.
Caliper inch means a unit of measurement describing the diameter of a tree measured one
foot above the finished grade level.
Canopy tree means a deciduous tree planted primarily for its high crown of foliage or
overhead canopy.
Carport means a space for the housing or storage of motor vehicles and enclosed on not
more than two sides.
Channel means the natural or artificial depression of perceptible extent along Minnehaha
Creek with a definite bed and bank to confine and conduct flowing water, either continuously
or periodically.
City means the City of St. Louis Park, a municipal corporation, along with its duly authorized
boards, commissions and representatives.
Commercial vehicle. A motor vehicle is a commercial vehicle if:
(1) The vehicle is a dumptruck, a step van, a tow truck, a semitractor or trailer, a tank
truck, a tractor, a bus, a cargo truck, a construction vehicle or equipment, an earth-
moving vehicle or equipment, a van or pickup with a manufacturer's nominal rated
carrying capacity of more than one ton, or any other vehicle which is used in
connection with commercial activities;
(2) Commercial equipment has been added to the vehicle such as winches or snow
plows;
(3) Commercial racks have been added to the vehicle for the purpose of holding
equipment or materials;
(4) The vehicle is a pickup with a nonstandard pickup box; or
(5) The vehicle is a trailer loaded with another commercial vehicle or commercial
equipment.
Conditional use means a specific type of structure or land use which is permitted by this
chapter only after an in-depth review procedure set forth in section 36-33 and with
appropriate conditions or restrictions as provided in this chapter and upon finding that:
(1) Certain conditions as detailed in this chapter exist; and
(2) The structure and land use conform to the comprehensive plan and are compatible
with the existing neighborhood.
Condominium means an estate of real property consisting of an undivided interest in
common with other purchasers in a portion of a parcel of real property, together with a
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
separate interest in space in a building. A condominium may include, in addition, a separate
interest in other portions of such real property, such as garage space or in the case of
cluster development, a townhouse or cluster development lot.
Curb level means the grade elevation, as established by the city, at the curb in front of the
center of the building. Where no curb level has been established, the director of public
works shall determine a curb level or its equivalent for the purpose of this chapter.
Customer floor area means that part of the gross floor area of a commercial establishment
used by and accessible to the public, except public restrooms.
Deciduous means a plant with foliage that is shed annually.
Density means the number of dwelling units permitted per acre of net lot area.net acre of
land.
Designed Outdoor Recreational Area means designed outdoor space intended for passive
or active recreation accessible and suited to the needs of residents and/or employees. The
area shall be functional and aesthetic, designed with clear edges, relate to the principal
building or buildings, include sidewalk connections, seating, landscaping, and other
amenities. The area should be compatible with or enlarge upon existing pedestrian links
and public parks or open space and may include swimming pools, tot lots, courtyards,
plazas, picnic areas, and trails within natural areas. Outdoor recreational areas shall not
include driveways, parking areas, steep slopes, or ponds designed solely for stormwater
retention.
Development means all structures, land uses, and other modifications of the existing
landscape above and below ground or water, on a single parcel, or on more than one parcel
if covered by a single planned unit development or conditional use permit.
Diameter at breast height (DBH) means the diameter of a tree measured at a height of 4 1/2
feet from the ground level.
District. See the definition, "Use district."
Driveway means an improved access which connects an off-street parking space to the
public right-of-way.
Dog kennel means any premises where four or more dogs, over four months of age, are
owned, boarded, bred or offered for sale.
Drip line means a vertical line extending from the outermost branches of a tree to the
ground.
Dwelling means a building, or one or more parts of a building occupied or intended to be
occupied exclusively for residence purposes, but not including rooms in motels, hotels,
nursing homes, boardinghouses, trailers, tents, cabins or trailer coaches.
Dwelling unit means one or more rooms physically arranged so as to create an independent
housekeeping establishment for occupancy by one family with separate toilets and facilities
for cooking and sleeping.
Easement means the grant of one or more of the property rights by the owner to, or for the
use by, the public, public utility, corporation, or another person or entity.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived means December 31,
1992, the effective date of Ordinance No. 92-1902.
Enclosed pedestrian walkway means an enclosed link at or above grade between two
buildings on the same or separate lots designed solely for the purpose of transporting
pedestrians.
Equal degree of encroachment means a method of determining the location of
encroachment lines so that the hydraulic capacity of floodplain lands on each side of a
stream are reduced by an equal amount when calculating the increases in flood stages due
to floodplain encroachments.
Essential services include, but are not limited to, underground or overhead gas, electrical,
steam or water transmission or distribution systems; collection, communication, supply or
disposal systems including poles, wires, mains, drains, sewers, pipes, conduits, fire alarm
boxes, police call boxes, traffic signals, hydrants, or other equipment and accessories in
conjunction therewith, bridges, roads, and railroads.
Evergreen means a plant with foliage that persists and remains green year-round.
Excavation means the removal of soil, rock, minerals, debris or organic substances other
than vegetation from a parcel of land.
Expansion means an increase in the floor area or volume of an existing building.
Facade means the exterior wall of a building exposed to public view
Family means one of the following
(1) Any group of people living together as a single housekeeping unit, all of whom are
related by blood, marriage, or adoption plus children who are under foster care.
(2) Up to four people not so related, living together as a single housekeeping unit.
(3) Any group of people living together as a single housekeeping unit, if no more than
two adult members function as the heads of the household group and the remaining
members are dependent upon them for care and direction due to age, physical
disability, a mental incompetency or for other reasons.
(4) Any individual, who is the owner, living and maintaining a common household and
using a common cooking and kitchen facility.
Fence means any artificially constructed barrier of any material or combination of materials
erected to enclose, divide or screen areas of land.
Filling means the placement of sand, gravel, earth or other materials of any composition on
a parcel of land. Also see the definition, "Land reclamation."
Floor area means the sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors of a building
including interior balconies, mezzanines, basements, attics, penthouses, and attached
accessory buildings. Measurements shall be made from the inside of exterior walls and to
the center of interior walls. For the purposes of determining off-street parking requirements,
inside off-street parking or loading space is excluded from floor area.
Floor area ratio (FAR) means the numerical value obtained by dividing the total floor area of
buildings excluding the basement by the lot area on which such buildings are located.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Food waste means all food, including meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, bread, fruits and
vegetables, cheese, eggshells, rice, beans, pasta, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags,
bones and other plate scrapings, and garden food waste (e.g. tomatoes, pumpkins).
Foster family home means a family home where children out of their own homes are cared
for 24 hours a day for a period of 30 days or more.
Garage, private, means a detached accessory building or portion of the principal building,
including a carport, which is situated on the same lot as the principal building used primarily
for storing motor vehicles with no facilities for mechanical service or repair of a commercial
nature.
Grade means the average elevation of the finished ground level at the midpoint of all walls
of a building, or in the case of signs, the average elevation of the finished ground level at the
base of a sign. This definition includes the terms finished grade and mean ground level.
Grading means excavating, filling or other changes in the earth's natural topography,
including stockpiling of earth or land.
Ground cover means plants, other than turf grass, normally reaching an average maximum
height of not more than 18 inches at maturity.
Ground floor area means the lot area covered by a principal building measured from the
exterior faces of exterior walls but excluding decks and terraces and detached garages
which do not exceed 15 feet in height.
Ground F floor T transparency means the measurement of the percentage of a facade that
has highly transparent, low reflectance windows at the pedestrian level, measured between
2’ and 8’ above grade. (Ord. No. 2575-19, 11-18-19)
Hedge means a landscape barrier consisting of a continuous, dense planting of shrubs.
Height, accessory building. A distance to be measured from the first story elevation, as
defined by building code, to the highest point of the structure.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Height, – A accessory structure. A distance to be measured from the lowest exterior grade at
the base of the structure to the highest point of the structure.
Height, Ccommunication Ttowers and Aantennas. The height of a communication tower or
antenna which is not attached to a building shall be determined by measuring the vertical
distance from the point of contact with the ground of the communication tower or antenna to
the highest point of the communication tower, or antenna, including, in the case of a
communication tower, all antennas and other attachments.
Height, – Pprincipal building. A distance to be measured from either the mean curb level
along the front lot line, or from the finished grade level for all that portion of the structure
having frontage on a public right-of-way facing the front lot line, whichever is higher, to the
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
top of the parapet of a flat roof; to the deck line of a mansard roof; to a point on the roof
directly above the highest wall of a shed roof; to the upper most point on a round or other
arch type roof; or to the mean distance of the highest gable on a pitched or hip roof.
Heritage tree means a health deciduous tree measuring 30 inches or greater in diameter at
standard height (dsh) or a health coniferous tree measuring 25 inches or greater in dsh.
Household. See the definition, “Family.”
Impervious surface means a surface that has been compacted or covered with a layer of
material so that it is highly resistant to infiltration by water. It includes surfaces such as
compacted sand, limerock, or clay, as well as most conventionally surfaced streets, roofs,
sidewalks, parking lots, swimming pools, and other similar structures. Swimming pools shall
not be considered impervious.
Impervious surface coverage means the amount of the net lot area that can be occupied or
encumbered by an impervious surface.
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Intensity classification means a measure of the magnitude and impact of a land use on the
environment and neighboring land uses. Variables include, but are not limited to, the levels
of traffic that are generated, degree of lot coverage, building height, impervious surface, and
density of development.
Intoxicating liquor license (on-sale) means an on-sale liquor license issued by the city
council which permits the sale and consumption on the licensed premises of all types of
legal liquor including spirits, wine, and malt liquor.
Irrigation system means a permanent, artificial watering system designed to transport and
distribute water to plants.
Land reclamation means the reclaiming of land by depositing fill material to elevate the
grade. See the definition, "Filling."
Level of service means the traffic capacity of an intersection or roadway based upon criteria
established by the Institute of Traffic Engineers, as amended periodically.
Lot means a parcel of land created by an existing subdivision or described on a deed which
has been recorded in the office of the register of deeds or registrar of titles of the county and
which is occupied or used or intended for occupancy or use and has common ownership in
its entirety.
Lot area means the area of a lot in a horizontal plane bounded by the lot lines.
Lot area, net means the total lot area excluding area or easement encumbered by a
wetland, public waters, public parks and trails, public open space, rights-of-way, and other
areas identified or protected by local ordinances such as steep slopes, floodplains, and
bluffs.
Lot, buildable, means a lot which meets the minimum lot width and area requirements of the
use district in which it is located, and which has frontage on a right-of-way for street or alley
purposes. If the lot was subdivided as part of a cluster housing development, access to a
public street may be by private street.
Lot area per family means the number of square feet of lot area required per dwelling unit.
Lot, corner, means a lot situated at the junction of, and abutting on two or more intersecting
streets, or a lot at a point of deflection in alignment of a continuous street, the interior angle
of which does not exceed 135 degrees.
Lot depth means the mean horizontal distance between the front lot line and the rear lot line
of a lot.
Lot, interior, means a lot other than a corner lot.
Lot line means the property line bounding a lot except that where any portion of a lot
extends into the public right-of-way, street easement, or a proposed public right-of-way, the
line of such public right-of-way or street easement shall be the lot line for applying this
chapter.
Lot line, front, means that boundary of a lot which abuts a street. In the case of a corner lot,
it shall be the shortest dimension on a public street. If the dimensions of a corner lot are
equal, the front lot line shall be designated by the owner and filed in the office of the division
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
of inspections. If a parcel has multiple sides on more than two street frontages, the front lot
line shall be determined by the zoning administrator.
Lot line, rear, means a lot line not intersecting a front lot line that is most distant from and
most closely parallel to the front lot line. For a lot bounded by only three lot lines, the rear lot
line shall be a line ten feet in length within the lot, parallel to and at the maximum distance
from the front lot line.
Lot line, side, means a lot line which intersects with a front lot line.
Lot of record means any lot which is one parcel of a plat heretofore or hereafter duly
approved and filed, or one unit of an auditor's subdivision or a registered land survey or a
parcel of land not so platted, subdivided or registered, for which a deed, auditor's
subdivision or registered land survey has been recorded in the office of the register of deeds
or registrar of titles for the county prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this
chapter is derived. Ordinance from which this chapter is derived means Ordinance No. 92-
1902 adopted December 7, 1992 and effective December 31, 1992.
Lot, substandard, means a lot or parcel of land that does not meet the definition of a
buildable lot or does not meet the provisions of section 36-71.
Lot, through, means a lot which has a pair of opposite lot lines abutting two substantially
parallel streets, and which is not a corner lot.
Lot width means the horizontal distance between the side lot lines measured at the required
front yard line.
Manufactured home means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which, in the
traveling mode, is eight body feet or more in width or 40 body feet or more in length, or,
when erected on site, is 320 square feet or more, and which is built on a permanent chassis
and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when
connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and
electrical systems contained therein; except that the term includes any structure which
meets all the requirements and with respect to which the manufacturer voluntarily files a
certification required by the secretary and complies with the standards established under
state law.
Mining means the extraction and removal of sand, gravel, or other earthen material from a
parcel of land.
Mobile Ffood Vvehicle means a vehicle or cart used to prepare and serve food and/or
beverages.
Motor vehicle means every vehicle which is self-propelled. This does not include lawn
mowers or snow blowers.
Mulch means nonliving organic, synthetic, and rock materials customarily used in landscape
design to retard erosion and retain moisture.
Nonconforming means a situation where any development, structure, sign, site lighting, off-
street parking lot, landscaping, land use or parcel was legally constructed or established
prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived, or subsequent
amendment to it, which is not in full compliance with the regulations of this chapter.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Nonconforming parking means parking which legally existed upon the effective date of the
ordinance from which this chapter is derived and which did not comply with the numerical
requirements of section 36-361 or with the design requirements found in the landscaping
section of this chapter.
Nonpassenger vehicle means a commercial or recreational vehicle or trailer.
Open Llot Aarea means an area of a lot, not located within a front yard or side yard abutting
a street that has a minimum dimension of 20 feet in all directions and does not include a
building, driveway, outdoor storage, or parking space. Open covered porches, gazebos,
decks, and patios are permitted encroachments into the open lot area. Swimming pools are
permitted encroachments provided they do not occupy more than 50% of the open lot area.
Ordinance from which this chapter is derived means Ordinance No. 92-1902 adopted
December 7, 1992 and effective December 31, 1992.
Organic material means fFood waste, yYard waste and items such as, but not limited to:
non-recyclable paper products, and other compostable items such as full vacuum cleaner
bags, dryer lint, tissues and cotton balls, floral trimmings and house plants, and
compostable plastics (certified compostable plastic utensils, cups and containers).
Ornamental tree means any tree planted primarily for its ornamental value or for screening
purposes and tends to be smaller at maturity than canopy trees.
Parcel. See the definition, "Lot."
Parking space means an improved paved or gravel area on a lot or area within a building
intended for parking of a motor vehicle and which has a means of access to a public street.
This term is used interchangeably with parking stall and parking facility.
Passenger vehicle means an automobile, station wagon, van, sports utility vehicle, minivan,
pickup truck, or motorcycle designed and primarily intended for on-street operation.
Passenger vehicles do not include commercial vehicles, recreational vehicles, racing cars or
stock cars.
Performance standards means specified criteria and limitations which are placed on
development which are intended to protect the public health, safety, or welfare.
Person means an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, society,
joint stock association, or political subdivision of the state including any trustee, receiver,
assignee or other representative thereof.
Pickup truck means any truck with a manufacturer's nominal rated carrying capacity of one
ton or less and commonly known as a pickup or pickup truck and which has a standard
manufactured pickup box. A pickup whose standard box is covered with a topper if the
topper does not exceed 1 1/2 times the wall height of the standard box is a pickup truck.
Playfield means an outdoor facility developed as a baseball diamond, softball diamond,
soccer field, football field, or other surface for conducting outdoor recreational activities.
Previous zoning ordinance means Ordinance No. 730 adopted December 28, 1959 and all
subsequent amendments thereto which were in effect on December 30, 1992.
Principal building means a building or group of buildings in which the primary use of a lot is
located.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Principal use means the main use and chief purpose of land or structures, as distinguished
from a secondary or accessory use.
Proof of parking means a method by which an area of a lot other than that area required for
yards, landscaping, or any other area required for other purposes by this chapter which is
allocated for parking but is not paved or striped.
Racing car means a motor vehicle designed or intended for operation on a speedway,
racetrack, or other facility used or designed for high-speed contests between two or more
vehicles or for timing of speed.
Recreational vehicle.
(1) Travel trailers include those that telescope or fold down, chassis-mounted campers,
house cars, motor homes, tent trailers, slip in campers and converted vans that are
motor homes as defined in this definition.
(2) Motor home is a vehicle that provides temporary living quarters. A vehicle provides
temporary living quarters if it is:
a. Not used as the residence of the owner or occupant;
b. Used for temporary living quarters by the owner or occupant while engaged in
recreational or vacation activities; and
c. Self-propelled or capable of being towed on public roads.
(3) A nonmotorized trailer intended and generally used for transporting boats.
(4) Snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, boats and any type of watercraft. Such vehicles
which are placed on a utility trailer shall, together with the trailer, be considered a
single recreational vehicle.
Right-of-way means an area or strip of land, either public or private, on which a right-of-
passage has been recorded for the use of vehicles, including trains, or pedestrians or both.
Root zone means the part of the soil that is invaded by a plant's roots.
Screen means a method of reducing the impact of noise and unsightly visual intrusions by
placing vertical elements, such as plants, berms, fences, walls, or any appropriate
combination thereof between the incompatible land uses. (Ord. No. 2325-07, 05-07-07)
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Self-storage facility means any real property designed and used for the purpose of renting or
leasing individual storage space to individuals, organizations, or businesses who are to have
access to such facility for the purpose of storing and removing personal property; a self-
storage facility is not a warehouse/storage facility. (Ord. No. 2570-19, 9-16-19)
Service stall means the area within a motor fuel station or auto repair facility of adequate
size to service one motor vehicle. A service stall shall have a maximum floor area of 400
square feet. This term is synonymous with service bay.
Shopping center means a group of commercial uses planned, owned, and managed as a
unit that has common parking facilities. Shopping centers may include more than one
building and more than one contiguous property and owner if approved under a single
conditional use permit or planned unit development. This use includes vendor markets. (Ord.
No. 2598-20, 11-16-20)
Short-term rental means leasing a residential dwelling unit or accessory dwelling unit for a
term of less than one month. (Ord. 2596-20, 10-19-20)
Shrub means a self-supporting woody perennial plant, smaller than a tree, consisting of
several small stems from the ground or small branches near the ground; may be deciduous
or evergreen, and usually not more than ten feet in height at its maturity.
Significant tree means any tree, with the exception of Salix (Willow), Boxelder, Siberian Elm
and Black Locust, is considered to be significant under the landscaping section of the zoning
ordinance if it is at least five caliper inches for deciduous trees and six caliper inches for
conifers. Aspen, Cottonwood or Silver Maple are considered significant if they are at least
12 inches in diameter at 4.5 feet from the ground. (Ord. No. 2325-07, 5-7-07; Ord. No. 2449-
13, 11-15-2013)
Site plan means a plan, prepared to scale, showing accurately and with complete
dimensioning, the boundaries of a site and the location of all buildings, structures, uses, and
principal site development features proposed for a specific parcel of land.
Solar energy system - building-integrated. A solar energy system that is an integral part of a
principal or accessory building, rather than a separate mechanical device, replacing or
substituting for an architectural or structural component of the building. Building-integrated
systems include but are not limited to active photovoltaic or hot water systems that are
contained within roofing materials, windows, walls, skylights, and awnings, or passive
systems that are designed to capture direct solar heat.
Solar energy system - building-mounted. A solar energy system affixed to a principal or
accessory building.
Solar energy system - freestanding. A solar energy system with a supporting framework that
is placed on or anchored in the ground and that is independent of any building or other
structure. Garages, carports, or similar structures that incorporate building-integrated or
building-mounted solar energy systems shall not be classified as freestanding solar energy
systems and shall instead be subject to regulations governing accessory structures.
Solar collector surface. Any part of a solar energy system that absorbs solar energy for use
in the system's transformation process. The collector surface does not include frames,
supports, and mounting hardware.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Solar energy. Radiant energy received from the sun that can be collected in the form of heat
or light by a solar collector.
Solar energy system. A device or structural design feature intended to provide for collection,
storage, and distribution of solar energy for heating or cooling, electricity generating, or
water heating.
Sport court means a hard or paved surface accompanied by sporting equipment such as
nets or goals, which is used primarily for the playing of sports such as tennis or basketball. A
patio, porch, pool, or driveway shall not be considered a sport court.
Stand and standing mean any halting, even momentarily, of a vehicle, whether occupied or
not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or
discharging passengers or property.
Stock car means a motor vehicle of standard design and construction which is modified,
adapted or altered in any manner to increase its speed or safety, and designed or intended
for operation on a speedway, racetrack, or other facility used or designed for high-speed
contests between two or more vehicles or for timing of speed.
Story means that portion of a building included between the surface of any floor and the
surface of the floor next above; or if there is not a floor above, the space between the floor
and the ceiling next above. A basement shall not be counted as a story.
Street means a public or private thoroughfare with a minimum right-of-way width of 24 feet
which is used, or intended to be used, for passage or travel by motor vehicles. Streets are
further classified in the comprehensive plan by the functions they perform. See illustration
following this definition.
(1) Local street. Roadways typically having lowest traffic volumes, containing one lane of
traffic in each direction whose primary function is to provide access to and from
property.
(2) Minor collector. Roadways containing one lane of traffic in each direction whose
primary function is to provide access to and from neighborhoods and the local street
system.
(3) Major collector. Roadways containing one or two lanes of traffic in each direction with
controlled intersections whose function is to serve long trips within the city and
access to and from minor and principal arterials.
(4) Minor arterials. Interregional roads containing two lanes in each direction with limited
access and controlled intersections at other arterials and collector streets. Minor
arterials convey traffic between towns, boroughs, or other urban centers and are
used to reduce the number of trips on the regional system. Efficient movement is the
primary function of a minor arterial road.
(5) Principal arterials. Limited access interregional arterial routes containing two or more
lanes in each direction. They are designed exclusively for unrestricted movement,
have no private access, and intersect only with selected arterial highways or major
streets by means of interchanges engineered for free-flowing movement.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Structure means anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires a location on
the ground or attached to something having a location on the ground, including but without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, advertising signs, billboards and fences.
Trailer means any vehicle designed for carrying property on its own structure and for being
drawn by a motor vehicle.
Trailer bed means that portion of a trailer that is designed to make contact with and bear the
weight of the load to be carried.
Tree means a self-supporting woody perennial plant having one or several self-supporting
stems or trunks and numerous branches which normally attains an overall height of at least
15 feet at maturity. Trees may be classified as deciduous or evergreen.
Truck means every motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the
transportation of property. This definition does not include a pickup truck as defined in this
section or a van with a manufacturer's nominal rated carrying capacity of one ton or less.
Understory trees means a self-supporting woody plant or species normally growing to a
mature height of between 15 and 30 feet and a mature spread of at least 15 feet. Many
understory trees are considered to be ornamental trees.
Undue hardship means a condition resulting when reasonable use cannot be made of a
property if used under conditions allowed by the official control, the plight of the landowner is
due to circumstances unique to his property not created by the landowner, and the variance,
if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality. Economic considerations alone
shall not constitute an undue hardship if reasonable use for the property exists under the
terms of this chapter.
Use means the purpose or activity for which a premises is designed, arranged or intended
for which it is or may be occupied or maintained.
Use district means a mapped area within the city to which a uniform set of regulations
applies for the purpose of regulating development.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Uses, nonconforming, means any building or land lawfully occupied by a use at the time of
the passage of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived or of amendments thereof
which does not conform after the passage of the ordinance from which this chapter is
derived or an amendment thereto with the use regulations of the district in which it is
located. See the definition, "Nonconforming."
Variance means a modification or variation of the provisions of this zoning code as applied
to a specific piece of property. (Ord. No. 2409-12, 1-27-12)
Vegetation, native, means any plant species with a geographic distribution indigenous to all
or part of the state. Plant species which have been introduced by man are not native
vegetation.
Vehicle means a device for carrying or conveying persons or property which may be self-
propelled or may be propelled, drawn, or towed by a self-propelled vehicle.
Wetland means an area that is inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a
frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that, under normal circumstances, does
support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions,
commonly known as hydrophytic vegetation.
Wind energy conversion system (WECS) means all necessary devices that together convert
wind energy into electricity, including the rotor, nacelle, generator, tower, electrical
components, foundation, transformer, and electrical cabling from the tower to building or
substation(s) and their support facilities.
Wind energy conversion system, building mounted means a wind energy conversion system
that is attached to a building for structural support.
Wind energy conversion system tower means a support structure to which the nacelle and
rotor are attached.
Wind energy conversion system height means the distance measured from the lowest
exterior grade at the base of the WECS to the highest point of any component of a WECS.
Yard means a required open space on a lot, which is unoccupied and unobstructed by a
structure from its lowest ground level to the sky except as expressly permitted in this
chapter. For principal buildings, structures, and uses, the yard shall extend along a lot line
and at right angles to the lot line to a depth or width specified in the yard regulations for the
district in which the lot is located. For accessory buildings, structures, and uses, the yard
shall extend from the property line to the principal building, structure, or use.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Yard, front, means an area which extends along the full width of the front lot line between
side lot lines and toward the rear lot line a depth as specified in the required yard regulations
for the district in which such lot is located.
Yard, rear, means an area which extends along the full width of the rear lot line between the
side lot lines and toward the front lot line a depth as specified in the required yard
regulations for the district in which the lot is located. Where the lot is a corner lot, the rear
yard shall be the area between the interior side lot line and the side yard abutting a street
extending toward the front yard a depth as specified in the required yard regulations for the
district in which the lot is located.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Yard, side interior, means an area extending along a side lot line between the front yard and
rear yard, having a width as specified in the required yard regulations for the district in which
the lot is located.
Yard, side, abutting a street, means a yard adjacent to a street which extends along a side
lot line between the front yard and rear property line. The required width of the side yard
abutting a street is specified in the dimensional standards of the district in which the yard is
located.
Yard waste means all garden wastes, grass clippings, leaves, weeds, holiday trees, shrub
and tree waste and prunings, seasonal greenery, and woodchips that are normally
generated from residential properties.
Zoning ordinance means Ordinance No. 92-1902 and all amendments adopted subsequent
to that date and compiled as Chapter 36 of this Code.
Sec. 36-5. Abbreviations.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to identify the abbreviations which are used in this
chapter in order to clarify meaning.
(b) Abbreviations.
(1) BOZA Board of zoning appeals
(2) DBH Diameter at breast height
(3) DU Dwelling unit
(4) FAR Floor area ratio
(5) PUD Planned unit development
(6) FW Floodway district
(7) FF Flood fringe district
(8) FP General floodplain district
(Code 1976, § 14:3-2)
Sec. 36-6. Reserved.
(Ord. No. 2462-15, 2-2-2015)
54
ARTICLE IV. ZONING DISTRICTS
Division 1. Generally
Sec. 36-111. Use Districts Established
All land in the city shall be assigned to one of the following zoning districts:
(a) Parks and Open Space District. POS park and open space district, see section 36-151.
(b) Residential Neighborhood districts.
(1) N-1 Neighborhood District, see Article IV, Division 4R-1 single-family residence
district, see section 36-163.
(2) N-2 Neighborhood District see Article IV, Division 4R-2 single-family residence
district, see section 36-164.
(3) N-3 Neighborhood District, see Article IV Division 4R-3 two-family residence district,
see section 36-165.
(4) N-4 Neighborhood District, see Article IV, Division 4R-4 multiple-family residence
district, see section 36-166.
(5) R-C high-density multiple-family residence district, see section 36-167.
(c) Commercial districts.
(1) C-1 neighborhood business district, see section 36-193.
(2) C-2 general commercial district, see section 36-194.
(d) Office district. O office district, see section 36-223.
(e) Business Park district. BP Bbusiness park district, see section 36-231.
(f) Industrial districts.
(1) I-P industrial park district, see section 36-243.
(2) I-G general industrial district, see section 36-244.
(g) Mixed use districts.
(1) MX-1 vertical mixed use district, see section 36-264.
(2) MX-2 neighborhood mixed use district, see section 36-265.
(h) Planned Unit Development (PUD) District, See Section 36-32.
(Code 1976, § 14:5-1.1; Ord. No. 2462-15, 2-2-15; Ord. No. 2598-20, 11-16-20)
Sec. 36-112. Overlay districts established.
Overlay districts are as follows:
(a) FW floodway district, see section 36-294.
(b) FF flood fringe district, see section 36-294.
(c) FP general floodplain district, see section 36-294.
55
St. Louis Park Zoning Code
(d) TDM travel demand management district, see sections 36-321 through 36-330.
(e) (Code 1976, § 14:5-1.2)
Sec. 36-113. Map.
The boundaries of the use districts listed in section 36-111 are shown on the zoning map, as
amended. The map is certified by the city clerk and is stored in the office of community
development and is referred to as the "zoning map" or "map," in this chapter. The map and all of
the notations, references and other information shown on it shall have the same force and effect
as if fully set forth in this chapter and are hereby made a part of this chapter by reference.
(Code 1976, § 14:5-1.3)
Sec. 36-114. Boundaries
District boundary lines indicated on the zoning map follow lot lines, the center lines of streets or
alleys projected, railroad right-of-way lines, the center of watercourses, or the corporate limit
lines as they exist upon the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived. If
use district boundary lines do not follow any of the above-described lines, the use district
boundary lines are established as drawn on the zoning map. Where a district boundary line
divides a lot of record which was in single ownership at the time of enactment of the ordinance
from which this chapter is derived and places portions of such lot of record in two or more use
districts, any portion of such lot within 50 feet on either side of dividing district boundary line
may be used for any use permitted in either use district. If the lot shall be wider than the 50-foot
limitation, the use district line as shown shall prevail.
(a) Appeals from the zoning administrator's determination and questions of doubt
concerning the exact location of district boundary lines shall be heard by the board of
zoning appeals.
(b) Whenever any street, alley or other public way is vacated by official action of the city, the
location of the zoning district line shall not be affected by such proceeding.
(c) A determination of whether a property is within the boundaries of the FW, FF or FP
district shall be made by the zoning administrator. Any person objecting to that
determination may appeal to the zoning administrator by submitting a topographic
survey which includes the contour of the flood protection elevation and the location and
elevation of all proposed structures. The zoning administrator may change the
determination based on the topographic survey, but the zoning administrator shall notify
the commissioner of the state department of natural resources at least ten days before
granting the permit. Provisions for the modification of floodplain district boundaries are
contained in division 8 of article IV of this chapter.
(Code 1976, § 14:5-1.4)
Sec. 36-115. Land use by zoning district.
(a) Designation and reference. The land uses listed in this section are specifically
designated and refer to the detailed listing of land uses contained in section 36-142 et
seq.
(b) Land uses permitted. Land uses listed as "permitted" are permitted by the general land
use requirements of this chapter; subject to the general requirements of the specific
56
St. Louis Park Zoning Code
zoning district in which they are located, any additional requirements imposed by
applicable overlay zoning districts as designated on the official zoning map, the general
requirements of this chapter, and any and all other applicable city, county, state and
federal regulations as may be amended from time to time.
(c) Land uses permitted with standards conditions. Land uses listed as "permitted with
standards conditions” are subject to all the requirements of land uses permitted by right
plus those additional controls which are listed following the specific land use. Land uses
permitted with standards conditions do not require a public hearing process.
(d) Land uses permitted as a conditional use. Land uses listed as "permitted as a
conditional use" are permitted subject to all the requirements applicable to uses
permitted by right plus all general conditional use and any additional requirements
applicable to that particular land use contained in divisions 3 through 6 of this article and
those general conditions contained under section 36-33. Each conditional use
application shall be considered a unique situation and shall not be construed as
precedents for similar requests. Further conditions may be imposed on any conditional
use by the planning commission or city council in response to special conditions of the
use or site. (Ord. No. 2419-12, 9-14-2012)
(e) Land uses permitted as accessory uses. Land uses listed as "permitted as an accessory
use" are permitted subject to all of the requirements applicable to uses permitted by
right, plus any additional requirements applicable to that particular land use contained in
divisions 3 through 610 of this article. Accessory uses other than required off-street
parking may not occupy more than 25 percent of the total floor area of any development
unless further restricted in the district regulations. (Ord. No. 2462-15, 2-2-2015)
(f) Land uses permitted as temporary uses. Temporary land uses are permitted subject to
all the requirements applicable to uses permitted by right as listed in subsection (b) of
this section, plus any additional requirements applicable to that particular land use as
contained in section 36-82. (Ord. No. 2462-15, 2-2-2015)
(g) Land uses permitted in limited stories. Land uses listed as “permitted in limited stories”
are permitted subject to all the requirements of land uses permitted by right plus those
additional controls which specify the story of a building the use can occur. Land uses
permitted in limited stories do not require a public hearing process. (Ord. 2560-19, 6-17-
19)
(h) Full compliance necessary. Although a land use may be indicated as permitted by right,
permitted with conditions, or permitted as a conditional use in a particular use district, it
does not follow that such a land use is permitted or permissible on every parcel in such
use district. No land use is permitted or permissible on a parcel unless it can be located
thereon in full compliance with all of the standards and regulations of this chapter which
are applicable to the specific land use and parcel in question, or unless an appropriate
variance has been granted under section 36-34.
(Ord. No. 2462-15, 2-2-2015)
TABLE 36-115 (A) – (Repealed, Ord. No. 2312-06, 4-14-2006)
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
(i) TABLE 36-115 (C). Intensity Class Measures
Maximum
Density
Factor
(DU/Acre)
Maximum
Impervious
Surface
Ratio
Maximu
m Floor
Area
Ratio
Maximum
Height (in
feet)
Maximu
m Trips/
AC./Day
Gross
Buildin
g Area
Hours of
Operatio
n
Resultant
Land Use
Intensity
Class
Residential
uses
9 -- -- 30 100 2,000 Class 1
All other
uses
-- 0.30 0.15 30 100 2,000 6:00
a.m./
6:00 p.m.
Residential
uses
15 -- -- 35 300 5,000 -- Class 2
All uses -- 0.40 0.25 35 300 5,000 6:00
a.m./
10:00
p.m.
All uses 20 0.60 0.50 40 650
10,000
6:00 a.m/
12:00
p.m.
Class 3
All uses 30 0.70 0.80 50 1,000
20,000
6:00
a.m./
12:00
p.m.
Class 4
All uses 40 0.80 1.00 75 1,500
50,000
24 hours Class 5
All uses 50 0.90 1.40 150 2,500 100,00
0
24 hours Class 6
All uses 50+ 0.90+ 1.40+ 150+ 2,500+
100,000
+
Class 7
*Based on Institution of Transportation Engineers' Trip Generation manual.
Note: The column showing the highest land use intensity class will determine the land use intensity for the land use.
TABLE 36-115 (D).
Open Space Requirements
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
(Code 1976, § 14:5-2.1; Ord. No. 2192-01, 3-5-2001; Ord. No. 2220-02, § 2, 3-18-2002; Ord.
No. 2226-02, § 2, 6-3-2002; Ord. No. 2228-02, § 2, 7-15-2002; Ord. No. 2234-02, § 2, 12-2-
2002; Ord. No. 2239-03, 4-7-2003; Ord. No. 2267-04, 4-12-2004; Ord. No. 2312-06, 4-14-06;
Ord. No. 2419-12, 9-14-2012; Ord. No. 2560-19, 6-17-19; Ord. No. 2598-20, 11-16-20)
Secs. 36-116 – 36-140. Reserved.
Zoning District
Single
Family
Cluster
Housing Multi-Family
Elderly
Housing
Nursing
Home Group Home
R1-Single Family Residential 600/OLA
400/OLA or
12%DORA NA NA 12% DORA 12% DORA
R2-Single Family Residential 400/OLA
400/OLA or
12%DORA NA NA 12% DORA 12% DORA
R3-Two-Family Residential 400/OLA
400/OLA or
12%DORA NA NA 12% DORA 12% DORA
R4-Multi-Family Residential 400/OLA
400/OLA or
12%DORA 12% DORA 12% DORA 12% DORA 12% DORA
RC-Multi-Family Residential NA
400/OLA or
12%DORA 12% DORA 12% DORA 12% DORA 12% DORA
C1-Neighborhood Commercial NA NA 12% DORA 12% DORA NA NA
C2-General Commercial NA NA 12% DORA 12% DORA NA NA
O-Office NA NA 12% DORA 12% DORA NA NA
MX-1 Vertical Mixed Use NA NA 12% DORA 12% DORA 12% DORA 12% DORA
Reductions may be allowed via the PUD process, if the development meets certain criteria.
OLA = Open Lot Area DORA = Designed Outdoor Recreation Area
59
ARTICLE IV. ZONING DISTRICTS
Division 2. Land Use Descriptions and Characteristics
Sec. 36-141. Purpose of division.
(a) The land use categories permitted by this chapter are described by this section. Section
36-3(b)(2) empowers the zoning administrator to make interpretations identifying which
land use category a proposed land use fits within.
(Code 1976, § 14:5-3.1)
Sec. 36-142. Descriptions.
(a) Residential uses. The following are typical of the residential uses referred to in this
chapter.
(1) Single-family dwelling means a fully detached dwelling located on an individual lot
and intended for occupancy by a single-family.
(2) Cluster housing means dwelling units attached in a single structure, each having a
separate private outdoor entrance. Dwelling units may be located on individual lots or
on a lot in common. Density shall not exceed that of the applicable zoning district.
Characteristics may include a larger building mass and scale and larger
concentrations of paved surfaces than single-family detached dwellings.
(3) Two -family dwelling means two dwelling units attached in a single structure, each
having a separate outside entrance. Dwelling units may be located on individual lots
or on a lot in common.
(4) Multiple-family dwelling means more than two dwelling units contained within a single
structure, where each has an entrance off a hallway or balcony in common with at
least one other dwelling unit. Buildings tend to be massive in scale and institutional in
appearance. Other characteristics may include high density, large parking lots and
high traffic generation for the land area occupied by this use.
(1) Age-restricted housing means multiple-family dwellings where a minimum of 60
percent of the units are occupied by single persons at least 55 years of age or by
couples with one or both being at least 55 years of age.
(2) Dwelling, single-unit means a fully detached residence located on an individual lot
and intended for occupancy by a single household. This includes a manufactured
home.
(3) Dwelling, two-unit (duplex) means a residence designed for or occupied by two (2)
households living independently of one another, with both units on one (1) parcel.
(4) Dwelling, attached two-unit (twinhome) means a dwelling unit designed for or
occupied by two (2) households, where the units share at least one (1) common wall
and each unit is on its own individual parcel.
(5) Dwelling, detached courtyard cottages/bungalows means a cluster of multiple,
individual detached dwelling units arranged around a shared courtyard or open
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
space that is typically perpendicular to the street and where the shared courtyard
takes the place of individual rear yards.
(6) Dwelling, three unit means a single residential structure on a single lot which is
designed for the occupancy of three (3) households living independently of one
another; the units may share a common entrance or have individual entrances.
(7) Dwelling, four unit means a single residential structure on a single lot which is
designed for the occupancy of four (4) households living independently of one
another; the units may share a common entrance or have individual entrances.
(8) Dwelling, townhouse means a single residential unit which is located within a larger
residential structure containing multiple units and which is separated from the
adjoining dwelling unit(s) by at least one (1) common wall. Each dwelling unit may be
located on its own individual lot or on a common lot containing all of the attached
units. Each dwelling unit shall have separate and individual entrances. A small
townhouse dwelling is in a structure with three (3) or four (4) units, while a large
townhouse dwelling is in a building with between five (5) and eight (8) units.
(9) Dwelling, apartment means a multi-unit residential building that consists of side-by-
side or stacked dwelling units on one (1) lot and typically with a shared common
entrance. A low-rise apartment has no more than three (3) stories, a mid-rise
apartment has between four (4) and six (6) stories, and a high-rise apartment has
seven (7) or more stories.
(10) Dwelling, existing single-unit detached means a fully detached unit located on an
individual lot and intended for occupancy by a single-household that was in existence
prior to the (Date this amendment is adopted). This includes a manufactured home.
(11) Garage sale means the temporary sale of home-crafted items and used
household goods by the owner, resident and/or neighbors of a property. Garage
sales include estate, rummage, basement, yard, porch, or similar sales conducted at
a residentially zoned and/or used property.
(11) Manufactured home park means a parcel of land under single control or
ownership which has been developed for the placement of manufactured homes for
residential use.
(12) Roominghouse means a building where lodging is provided for between three
and eight persons and is the primary residence of the owner. Lodging is available on
an extended basis rather than daily or weekly. No provision for cooking is provided in
any of the rooms occupied by lodgers.
(13) Live-work unit means a dwelling unit that includes space for the gainful
employment of a resident of the dwelling unit and up to two workers who may not be
residents of the dwelling unit. The floor area devoted to the business use may not
exceed the floor area devoted to the residential use within the unit. Any space that
will be used by walk-in customers of the business must be accessible from an
exterior entrance that is not used to access other residential units. With the exception
of the exterior entrance, the business cannot substantially alter the exterior of the
property or substantially affect the character of the neighborhood or the health,
safety and welfare of the residents. The business space must be designed to permit
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
conversion to residential space with minimum work and no structural changes. Uses
which are not allowed include but are not limited to the following: uses classified as
industrial; appliance, small engine and bicycle repair; motor vehicle sales; motor
vehicle service and repair; pawnshops; animal handling; bars; food service;
restaurants; private entertainment; cannabis businesses; and sexually-oriented
businesses.
(14) Accessory dwelling unit means a dwelling unit complying with the Minnesota
State Building Code; which is located within a principal single-family residential
single-unit dwelling or in an accessory structure building to a single-family residential
single-unit dwelling. The types of accessory dwelling units include the following:
a. An attached accessory dwelling unit is located within a principal residential
dwelling.
b. A detached accessory dwelling unit is located as a freestanding building on the
same lot as the principal residential dwelling.
(15) Short-term rental means leasing a residential dwelling unit or accessory dwelling
unit for a term of less than one month. (Ord. 2596-20, 10-19-20)
(16) Sport court means a hard or paved surface accompanied by sporting equipment
such as nets or goals, which is used primarily for the playing of sports such as tennis
or basketball. A patio, porch, pool, or driveway shall not be considered a sport court.
(b) Human care uses. The following are typical of the human care uses referred to in this
chapter.
(1) Adult day care means a nonresidential facility that provides care to functionally
impaired adults on a regular basis for periods of less than 24 hours in a structure
which is not the residence of the person being served or the facility operator. Some
characteristics of this use are similar to family day care and nursing homes. This use
is appropriate in commercial areas provided there is accessibility to outdoor areas for
sitting and exercise. Persons being served are most like nursing home residents.
(2) Family day care means a facility that provides care, protection and supervision of
children in a private residence for periods of less than 24 hours for a fee. The size of
the outdoor play area, the maximum number of children who may be served, and the
number and qualifications of required outside teachers or helpers are set forth in
state law which may be amended from time to time. This use may be licensed by
other agencies. It generates about four vehicle trip ends per child per day.
(3) Group day care/nursery school means a nonresidential facility where childcare,
protection and supervision services are provided for a fee on a regular basis for
periods of less than 24 hours. This use requires a large, sensitively located outdoor
play area and it generates about four vehicle trips per child per day.
(4) State-licensed residential facility means a state-licensed and state-mandated
residential facility occupied by persons in need of specialized treatment or protection
and resident staff who live together as a single housekeeping unit, usually for a
limited period of time. The use includes outpatient group counseling, some
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
supervision and treatment programs. The maximum number of clients served is
specified by state law which may be amended from time to time. Persons served
may include persons with an intellectual disability and/or those that are severely
physically handicapped.
(5) Group home/nonstatutory means occupancy of a residential structure by persons in
need of specialized treatment or protection and resident staff who usually live
together as a housekeeping unit for a limited period of time. This use may include
outpatient group counseling, some supervision, forced detention, treatment for
mental illness and drug addiction, protective shelter, half-way house, and release
programs. The facility may be licensed by the state but is not mandated.
(6) Hospital means a facility which provides health services primarily for human inpatient
medical or surgical care, including related facilities, such as laboratories, outpatient
departments, training facilities, central service facilities and staff offices.
Characteristics include large institutionally designed buildings, large volumes of
traffic, large parking lots or ramps, 24-hour activity, service vehicles, large quantities
of waste, and emergency vehicles.
(7) Medical/dental office means a facility which provides direct delivery of health-related
examination and services or treatment to customers on an appointment or walk-in
basis; and includes counseling, consultation, chiropractic and podiatry. The use may
include a supporting retail component for medicine, health-related food, or other
product.
(8) Nursing home means a licensed health care facility providing lodging and 24-hour
care for medically or physically impaired persons usually on a long-term basis.
Residents of the facility do not have private apartments or kitchens. This use
includes a food service and may include supporting medical and retail services for
the residents. A quiet area is preferred. (Ord. No. 2267-04, 4-12-04)
(9) Funeral home means a facility where funeral services are held and where embalming
and other processes occur in preparation of the dead for burial. It may include the
storage of caskets, funeral urns and other related funeral supplies, and it usually
provides vehicles to transport the dead to the place of burial. This use does not
include a crematorium. Characteristics include intermittent periods of high traffic
generation.
(c) Institutional uses. The following are typical of the institutional uses referred to in this
chapter.
(1) Antenna means any free-standing structure or device attached to a building, pole,
tower, utility structure, or similar structure used for the purpose of collecting or
transmitting electromagnetic waves through the air, including but not limited to small
wireless facilities, wireless facilities, wireless telecommunication facilities, directional
antennas, such as panels, microwaves dishes, and satellite dishes, and omni-
directional antennas, such as whip antennas, except for Building-Mounted antennas
for private use on the premises where it is located, such as amateur radio antennas,
and antennas receiving television or radio signals.
(Ord. No. 2367-09, 1-23-09; Ord. No. 2555-19, 3-18-19)
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
(2) Communication tower means a free-standing structure the primary purpose of which
is to support one or more antennae and includes accessory uses directly related to
the tower, such as utility buildings. Communication tower includes wireless support
structure.
(Ord. No. 2367-09, 1-23-09; Ord. No. 2555-19, 3-18-19)
(3) Community centers means a place, structure, area or other facility which is open to
the public and designed to accommodate and serve significant segments of the
community and which is used for educational, religious, fraternal, social and
recreational programs. This use may include accessory food service and accessory
retail shops.
(4) Education/academic.
a. Public means neighborhood or district based education services normally
provided to children through young adult age. The use may include evening or
off-hour service to adults in the community. This use generally includes an
accessory food service and some retail facilities to serve students and facility.
b. Private means community or regional based education services normally
provided to persons through young adult age. The facilities are similar to public
education facilities.
(5) Library means a facility where collections of books and other materials are housed in
a building which is open to the public during regularly scheduled hours which may
include weekend days and evenings. Books and other materials may be available for
loan. Characteristics may include high parking demand and high traffic generation.
(6) Museums/art galleries means a facility which houses collections of artifacts,
paintings or sculpture in a building which is open to the public during regularly
scheduled hours which may include weekend days and evenings.
(7) Parks/open space means passive recreation including hiking trails, natural areas,
wild life areas, arboretums, open grass areas and tot lot.
(8) Parks/recreation means areas for active outdoor recreation activities such as
baseball diamonds, tennis courts, basketball courts, playfields, playgrounds, outdoor
swimming pools, fitness courses and driving ranges.
(9) Police/fire stations means facilities designed to serve the public health and safety.
They may include an office component, the storage of fire trucks, police cars and
equipment, and the boarding of personnel within an enclosed building.
Characteristics may include sporadic periods of loud noise, sirens, and activity.
(10) Public service structure means facilities which include water towers, utility and
public service related distribution facilities, and wastewater and storm drainage
structures, but exclude utility substations. These facilities are normally serviced by
small trucks several times per day and by larger vehicles or equipment on a periodic
basis. Associated buildings typically have large windowless walls and an institutional
appearance.
(11) Religious institution means a facility where people gather to relate or manifest
faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity. This use is
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
characterized by meeting rooms, education and training about the religion, worship
practice, indoor activities, intermittent parking needs, group singing or chanting, and
music. The assembly typically meets on weekends or evenings. Accessory uses
which may accompany the principal use include day care, park and ride, and
dwelling units for clergy, employees, or persons similarly associated with the
Religious Institution. (Ord. No. 2514-17, 3-20-17)
(12) Utility substation means a structure of electrical components to transform high
voltage electricity into lesser voltages to make it suitable for distribution to end users.
The use consists of a large structure and numerous power lines which are difficult to
screen and are classified as land use intensity 10. This use has minimal outdoor
activity and traffic generation.
(13) Golf course means a facility for playing golf outdoors which consists of golf holes,
clubhouse facilities which may contain lockers, shower rooms and incidental sale of
golf related items, and off-street parking facilities.
(14) Country club means a golf course and associated clubhouse which may contain
locker and shower rooms, dining and bar facilities, meeting rooms and other spaces
for large social functions. Country clubs are typically open only to members and
characteristics may include significant trip generation on evenings and weekends.
(15) Mikvah pool means a ceremonial pool that is constructed to meet certain
traditional requirements to serve primarily Jewish women. The use is characterized
by very low traffic volumes primarily during evening hours.
(16) Micro wireless facility. A small wireless facility that is no larger than 24 inches
long, 15 inches wide, and 12 inches high, and whose exterior antenna, if any, is no
longer than 11 inches. (Ord. No. 2555-19, 3-18-19)
(17) Small wireless facility. (Ord. No. 2555-19, 3-18-19)
a. A wireless facility that meets both of the following qualifications:
b. Each antenna is located inside an enclosure of no more than six cubic feet in
volume, or in the case of an antenna that has exposed elements, the antenna
and all its exposed elements could fit within an enclosure of no more than six
cubic feet; and
1. All other wireless equipment associated with the small wireless facility,
excluding electric meters, concealment elements, telecommunications
demarcation boxes, battery backup power systems, grounding
equipment, power transfers switches, cutoff switches, cable, conduit,
vertical cable runs for connection of power and other services, and any
equipment concealed from public view within or behind an existing
structure or concealment, is in aggregate no more than 28 cubic feet in
volume; or
2. A micro wireless facility
(18) Solar energy system. A device or structural design feature intended to provide for
collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for heating or cooling, electricity
generating, or water heating
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
(19) Wind energy conversion system (WECS) means all necessary devices that
together convert wind energy into electricity, including the rotor, nacelle, generator,
tower, electrical components, foundation, transformer, and electrical cabling from the
tower to building or substation(s) and their support facilities.
(20) Wireless facility. Equipment at a fixed location that enables the provision of
wireless services between user and equipment and a wireless service network,
including: (1) equipment associated with wireless service; (2) a radio transceiver,
antenna, coaxial or fiber-optic cable, regular and backup power supplies, and
comparable equipment, regardless of technological configuration; and (3) a small
wireless facility. Wireless facility does not include: (1) wireless support structures, (2)
wireline backhaul facilities, or (3) coaxial or fiber-optic cables between utility poles or
wireless support structures, or that are not otherwise immediately adjacent to or
directly associated with a specific antenna. (Ord. No. 2555-19, 3-18-19)
(21) Wireless service. Any service using licensed or unlicensed wireless spectrum,
including the use of Wi-Fi whether at a fixed location or by means of a mobile device
that is provided using wireless facilities. Wireless service does not include services
regulated under Title VI of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, including a
cable service under United States Code, title 47, section 522 clause (6). (Ord. No.
2555-19, 3-18-19)
(22) Wireless support structure. A new or existing structure designed to support or
capable of supporting small wireless facilities, as reasonably determined by the city.
(Ord. No. 2555-19, 3-18-19)
(23) Wireless telecommunication facility. Equipment used to provide wireless
telecommunication or data services, including all antennas, radios, support devices,
equipment including ground equipment, associated cables, and attachments. (Ord.
No. 2555-19, 3-18-19)
(Ord. No. 2555-19, 3-18-19)
(d) Commercial uses. The following are typical of the commercial uses referred to in this
chapter.
(1) Animal handling means the sale, boarding, treatment and care of privately-owned
small animal pets which may include dogs, cats, other mammals, fish and reptiles
but excludes large animals such as horses, farm animals or animals raised for
slaughter. Characteristics may include special refuse, storage, noise, odor and other
nuisance characteristics.
(2) Animal handling, limited means any animal handling use such as veterinary clinics,
pet stores, and pet grooming that do not include boarding, daycare, or outdoor off
leash recreation space for animals. The use may require an animal to be kept
overnight on-site for treatment but does not include boarding or animal daycares.
(Ord. No. 2621-21, 7-6-2021)
(3) Appliance, small engine, and bicycle repair means maintenance and repair of
appliances, small engines, bicycles, and similar items. Characteristics include some
outdoor activity and noise.
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(4) Automatic carwash means a facility designed to wash automobiles and light trucks
with little or no human intervention. The facility utilizes automated equipment and
wash cycles are relatively short. These facilities are typically accessory to other
automotive related land uses and may sporadically cause congestion on its site.
(5) Bank means a facility for the deposit, management, and lending of money, frequently
with accessory drive-up facility. This use includes banks and savings and loans but
not insurance companies and stock brokerage firms. Characteristics may include
high peak hour traffic on certain days.
(6) Bar means a facility where the primary use is the sale of alcoholic beverages for
consumption on the premises. Minors are excluded from entry by law. Characteristics
include late hours, high parking demand, noise, trash and litter and heavy off-peak
traffic. Use is often found in conjunction with restaurants, hotels and night clubs.
(7) Bed and breakfast establishment means a private, owner-occupied residence with
guestrooms where temporary lodging facilities and some meals are provided to
paying lodgers within single-family or two-family dwellings. The lodging is
subordinate and incidental to the main residential use of the building. Indoor
recreational facilities for the use of the residents and paying lodgers may be
included.
(8) Brewery means a facility that manufactures alcoholic and nonalcoholic malt liquor.
This definition does not include breweries operated in conjunction with a restaurant
as an accessory use. (Ord. No. 2449-13, 11 -15-2013)
(9) Business/trade school/college means a training establishment or institution serving
adults and sometimes high school age persons which provides training and/or
education toward a skill, license or degree. (Ord. No. 2358-08, 8-14-08)
(10) Coffee shop means an establishment that primarily sells coffee and coffee-
related accessories. They may also sell other refreshment items such as donuts,
bagels, muffins, cakes, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and other hot and cold
beverages. Limited indoor seating is generally provided for patrons, but table service
is not provided.
(11) Convention and exhibition center means a facility providing large and small
meeting rooms for the assembly of persons and the display of products and
information. It may include banquet kitchens and facilities. Characteristics include
heavy parking and loading area requirements and large scale buildings.
(12) Currency exchange means any business or person except a bank, trust
company, savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or industrial loan
and thrift company that is engaged in the business of cashing checks, drafts, money
orders, or traveler’s checks for a fee. (Ord. No. 2349-08, 02-22-08)
(13) Dog kennel means any premises where four or more dogs, over four months of
age, are owned, boarded, bred or offered for sale.
(14) Dry cleaning, laundering with route pickup and delivery, means a facility where
clothing, diapers, or other fabrics are cleaned by dry cleaning or laundering
processes. Materials to be cleaned may be brought to the site either by pickup and
delivery trucks operated as part of the business or by customers who drop off and
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pick up their own materials to be cleaned. The use may include the storage of
delivery vehicles on the site.
(15) Firearms sales means a retail use that includes the sale, lease, or purchase of
firearms or ammunition. (Ord. No. 2449-13, 11-15-2013)
(16) Food service means the on-site sale of food and beverages which are prepared
and served in individual portions in a ready to consume state for consumption either
on-site or off-site, including seating for not more than ten persons. Characteristics
may include truck and vehicle traffic, cooking odors and refuse. The preferred
location is on major thoroughfares with no access to local residential streets. This
use is often found in conjunction with motor fuel stations and grocery stores.
(17) Home occupation means an occupation, profession, or activity conducted in a
dwelling unit, which is clearly an incidental and subordinate use to the residential use
and which does not alter the exterior of the property or affect the residential
character of the neighborhood. (Ord. No. 2562-19, 6-17-19)
(18) Hostel means a lodging facility operated under the auspices of a national or
international hostel organization which has dormitory rooms available for rent by
members. The facility has common cooking and eating facilities and may have
common restroom facilities. The duration of stay is typically short and the facility has
a resident manager.
(19) Hotel/motel means facilities which provide overnight lodging in individual rooms
or suites of rooms, each having a private bathroom, which are rented by day or
week. These facilities may include in-room or in-suite kitchens and recreational
facilities for use by lodgers. Restaurants, banquet rooms, arcades, fitness centers
and other facilities available to non-lodgers are not considered accessory uses.
(20) In-vehicle sales or service means sales or service to persons in vehicles. It may
include drive-in, drive-up and drive-through facilities, but does not include motor fuel
stations, curbside pick-up or automated teller machines (ATMs). Characteristics
include high traffic volumes during the typical peak hour traffic period.
(21) Liquor store means a facility principally for the retail sale of pre-packaged
alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption. (Ord. No. 2449-13, 11 -15-2013)
(22) Marijuana dispensary means a location where patients or consumers can access
cannabis in a legal and safe manner. The use may include assistance from experts
who find an optimal dosage and recommend the delivery method to achieve optimal
results when using medical cannabis. (Ord. No. 2602-21, 1-4-21)
(23) Medical and dental laboratories mean facilities in which individually produced and
made to order medical and dental prosthetics are crafted for the specific needs of
specific individuals. Characteristics may include hours of operation of 7:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m.; daily deliveries to and from the facilities by car, van or light truck; minimal
heavy truck traffic; no use of outside storage and occasional visitation of facilities by
customers needing specialized attention as to the make-up and fit of their specific
prosthesis.
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(24) Microdistillery means a distillery producing premium, distilled spirits in total
quantity not to exceed 40,000 proof gallons in a calendar year. (Ord. 2492-16, 5-16-
16)
(25) Microdistillery cocktail room. The on-sale sale of distilled liquor produced by the
distiller on the premises of or adjacent to a microdistillery location owned by a
distiller. (Ord. 2492-16, 5-16-16)
(26) Mobile food vehicle means a vehicle or cart used to prepare and serve food
and/or beverages.
(27) Motor fuel station means a facility which supplies and dispenses at retail motor
fuels, including electrical charging, directly into a motor vehicle; it also includes the
sale of lubricants, batteries, tires and motor vehicle accessories. Motor fuels may be
self-serve or dispensed by an attendant. Light maintenance activities to vehicles
including engine tune-ups, lubrication, repairs, and carburetor cleaning may also be
conducted. Motor fuel stations may also include facilities for the retail electric
charging of vehicles. Characteristics include outdoor activity, high traffic generation
and extended hours of operation. This use excludes heavy automobile repair
including, but not limited to, engine overhauls, automobile painting, and bodywork.
(Ord. No. 2551-19, 1-22-19)
(28) Motor vehicle sales means display, sale, transfer of ownership, and rental of
automobiles, trucks and recreational vehicles from an indoor showroom facility and
may include an outdoor sales lot; motor vehicle service and repair and
autobody/painting often occur in conjunction with this use. Characteristics may
include outdoor activity, banners and lights for promotion and advertising, outdoor
sound systems, truck deliveries, night and weekend operating hours, and test driving
on nearby streets. (Ord. No. 2248-03, 8-18-03)
(29) Motor vehicles service and repair means repair, lubrication, washing, detailing,
equipment installation, engine overhauls, and other similar uses involving
automobiles, trucks and recreational vehicles. Characteristics may include the
storage of vehicles, truck traffic, night and weekend operating hours; motor fuel
stations and autobody/painting are excluded.
(30) Office means a facility in which the handling of information or the performing of
administrative services is conducted. It includes services provided to persons both
on-site and off-site on a walk in or appointment basis such as counseling or indirect
or nonpersonal service such as real estate, travel agencies, financial agencies,
insurance offices and professional offices. This description excludes hospitals or
other medical facilities; except it may include up to a maximum of ten percent of the
gross floor area in medical or dental offices. Characteristics include high peak period
traffic generation and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. hours of operation.
(31) Outdoor sales means the display and sale or rental of merchandise or equipment
outside of an enclosed building. It may include boat sales, canoe sales, nursery
sales; but it excludes the sale of motor vehicles.
(32) Pawnshop means a facility where money is loaned based on the value of goods
deposited at the facility by the borrower of the money, which goods are held by the
lender of the money occupying the facility as collateral for the loan. Items held by
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
the lender which are not redeemed by a borrower may be put up for sale at the
facility to the general public. The term pawnshop includes a facility where all or any
part of the pawnshop activities are conducted. (Ord. No. 2349-08, 2-22-08)
(33) Payday loan agency means any business that has as its primary activity the
providing of short-term loans for the borrower’s own personal, family, or household
purpose which are usually for a period of forty-five (45) days or less. Payday loan
agencies do not include banks. (Ord. No. 2349-08, 2-22-08)
(34) Places of Assembly are facilities designed to accommodate larger groups of
people having shared goals, desires or interests that are not customarily business
related. Social, educational, recreational, religious, and dining activities may be
included. Characteristics may include large group meetings or activities with peak
parking demands and noise. If the floor area devoted to food or beverage sales
exceeds 50% of the total gross floor area, the facility will be classified as a
restaurant. (Ord. No. 2311-06, 1-18-06)
(35) Post office customer service means the retail/customer service portion of the post
office function that includes customer drop off of packages and mail; sale to the
public of stamps, money orders, insurance, envelopes and packaging materials, and
other mail services; and post office boxes. Characteristics include hours similar to
offices and Saturday mornings, high volumes of automobile traffic and some truck
traffic. Mail sorting for mail route delivery and distribution are not part of this land
use.
(36) Printing process/supply means a facility in which retail-oriented graphic and
photographic reproductive services are conducted. This does not include industrial
operations where printing is of a commercial nature.
(37) Private entertainment (indoor) means entertainment services provided entirely
within an enclosed building. It includes theaters, health or fitness centers, bowling
alleys, arcades, roller rinks, and pool halls. Characteristics may include late
operating hours, outdoor lighting, noise, and traffic.
(38) Restaurant means an establishment whose principal business is the sale of food
and beverages which are prepared and served in individual portions in a ready-to-
consume state for consumption on site. This use is often found in conjunction with
bars, hotels and food service. It is preferably located on major thoroughfares with no
access to residential streets. Characteristics include late hours of operation, refuse,
high car and truck traffic generation, and cooking odors. Outdoor seating is
considered an accessory use. A food service or deli is not considered to be a
restaurant if seating is provided for ten or fewer persons. Restaurant uses are
divided into the following subcategories:
a. Restaurant, sit-down: Sit-down eating establishments that may allow or require
reservations. Patrons commonly wait to be seated, are served by wait staff, order
from a menu, and pay after the meal. Lounge or bar facilities may be accessory
uses.
b. Restaurant, fast-food with or without drive-through window: This restaurant type
features large carry-out clientele, long hours of service, and high turnover rate for
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
eat-in customers (around 30 minutes). There is no or limited table service, and
customers typically order from a menu board and pay before receiving the meal.
(39) Retail means a facility where merchandise or equipment is displayed and rented
or sold and where delivery of merchandise or equipment to the ultimate consumer is
made. This use includes limited production, repair or processing as an accessory
use. Hours of operation generally begin after the a.m. peak traffic period and extend
to time ranges from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; although some convenience stores and
grocery stores are open 24 hours per day. Characteristics generally include high
parking demand and high off-peak traffic generation; generally prefers high visibility
and access to major thoroughfares. This use includes but is not limited to camera
shops, clothing stores, department stores, grocery stores, discount stores, jewelry
stores, delicatessens, retail bakeries, toy stores; but excludes restaurants, bars,
pawn shops, motor vehicle sales, motor fuel stations, and large item retail.
(40) Retail, large item means a facility where large item merchandise or equipment is
displayed and rented or sold and where delivery of merchandise or equipment to the
ultimate customer is made. Characteristics generally include hours of operation
between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. weekdays and weekends. The parking demand per
square foot of building area is normally less than the demand for general retail. This
use includes but is not limited to, furniture stores, carpet stores, large appliance
stores; but excludes motor vehicle sales, pawnshops, and retail.
(41) Service means on-site service provided directly to an individual. This use
includes barbershops, beauty shops, therapeutic massage, nail salon, laundromats,
shoe repair shops, and dry cleaners where articles to be cleaned are picked up and
delivered by the patron. This use excludes pawnshops. (Ord. No. 2358-08, 8-14-08)
(42) Service stall means the area within a motor fuel station or auto repair facility of
adequate size to service one motor vehicle. A service stall shall have a maximum
floor area of 400 square feet. This term is synonymous with service bay.
(43) Sexually-oriented business means any limited impact sexually-oriented business
or any high impact sexually-oriented business.
a. Limited impact sexually-oriented business means a business where sexually-
oriented materials are sold, bartered, distributed, leased, furnished, or otherwise
provided, and which meets the following restrictions:
1. All sexually-oriented materials must be provided for use or entertainment off
the business premises only;
2. All sexually-oriented materials must be provided from a separate area to
which persons under the age of 18 years are prohibited access;
3. The separate area may not exceed a maximum of 20 percent of the retail
floor area of the establishment, or 300 square feet, whichever is less;
4. No person outside the separate area shall be able to perceive or observe any
sexually oriented materials at any time, including when someone is entering
or exiting the separate area, shopping, or purchasing sexually-oriented
materials;
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
5. A sign must be displayed on the entrance to the separate area, which shall
read: "No person under the age of 18 years is allowed in this area." The sign
letter shall be a minimum of two inches high; and
6. The entry into the separate area shall be visible to an employee of the
business at all times.
b. High impact sexually-oriented business means any business with materials or
entertainment which are principally related to sexual stimulation or gratification
other than a limited impact sexually-oriented business. Examples of a high
impact sexually-oriented business include the following:
1. A business where sexually-oriented materials are sold, bartered, distributed,
leased, furnished, exhibited, or otherwise provided for use or entertainment
on the business premises;
2. A business where specified sexual activities (as defined herein) are explicitly
verbally described or shown;
3. A business where specified anatomical areas (as defined herein) are explicitly
verbally described or shown;
4. A business providing sexually-oriented materials for off-site use or
entertainment, which has a separate area but does not meet the size or other
restrictions to qualify as a limited impact sexually-oriented businesses; and
5. A business providing sexually-oriented materials for off-site use or
entertainment, where the sexually oriented materials are dispersed within the
business rather than isolated in a separate area.
c. Definitions. For the purpose of this subsection, the following definitions shall
apply:
1. Sexually-oriented materials means visual, printed, or aural materials, and
other objects or devices, which:
i. Contain, depict, or describe specified sexual activities or specified
anatomical areas; and
ii. Are marketed for use in conjunction with, or are primarily used only with
or during, the specified sexual activities described in subsections
(a)(28)c.3.ii., (a)(28)c.3.iii. and (a)(28)c.3.vi. of this section, or as part of
the binding, fettering, or other physical restraint described in subsection
(a)(28)c.3.v. of this section.
iii. Specified anatomical areas means:
iv. Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic area,
buttock, anus, or female breast below a point immediately above the top
of the areola; and
v. Human male genitals in a state of sexual arousal, whether or not
completely and opaquely covered.
2. Specified sexual activities means:
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i. Actual or simulated sexual intercourse of any kind involving two humans,
or one human and an animal or object;
ii. Actual or simulated masturbation;
iii. Actual or simulated sadism or masochism;
iv. Actual or simulated sexual stimulation of any kind;
v. Situations involving a person who is nude, clad in undergarments, or in a
revealing costume, and who is engaged in activities involving binding,
fettering, or other physical restraint of that or another person; and
vi. Sexually-oriented touching of an animal by a human.
d. Sexually-oriented businesses. Sexually-oriented businesses exclude the
following:
1. Any material with significant literary content or social commentary.
2. A business where sexually-oriented materials are sold, bartered, distributed,
leased, furnished, or otherwise provided for off-site use or entertainment, if:
the material harmful to minors on each item is blocked from view by an
opaque cover as required under M.S.A. § 617.293, and each item is behind
the counter and accessible only by an employee of the business.
3. Displays of sexually-oriented materials may occur up to six times per year
without rendering a business a high impact sexually-oriented business, if the
displays are limited to an area which has been leased to a person or
business for their exclusive occupancy for a private party, and the only people
in attendance have received advance invitation from that person or company.
4. Any person or organization exempted under M.S.A. § 617.295.
5. Any activity regulated under M.S.A. § 617.251.
6. Any business may display works of art showing specified anatomical areas,
so long as no sexually-oriented materials are for sale, and the business does
not have a liquor license.
7. Movies rated G, GP, PG-13 or R.
(44) Shopping center means a group of commercial uses planned, owned, and
managed as a unit that has common parking facilities. Shopping centers may include
more than one building and more than one contiguous property and owner if
approved under a single conditional use permit or planned unit development. This
use includes vendor markets. (Ord. No. 2598-20, 11 -16-20
(45) Studio means a facility where the practice or study of the visual and audio arts
occurs. This use may include painting, sculpturing, photography, recording, radio and
television studios. This use also includes dance studios and studios for the martial
arts. This use does not include large industrial photography or printing processes.
(Ord. No. 2349-08)
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
(46) Taproom means a facility where on-sale of malt liquor produced by the brewer for
consumption on the premises of, or adjacent to, the brewery location owned by the
brewer at which the malt liquor is produced. (Ord. No. 2449-13)
(e) Industrial uses. The following are typical of the industrial uses referred to in this chapter.
(1) Anaerobic digester is an enclosed system in which controlled anaerobic digestion
occurs, converting organic material into end-products such as biogas, fertilizer, water
or other solids. Characteristics may include truck traffic, odor or noises. (Ord. No.
2452-14)
(2) Autobody/painting means a facility for painting, straightening, replacing and repairing
the frame and body parts of motor vehicles usually damaged as result of an accident.
It includes the outdoor storage of damaged and dismantled vehicles, and may
generate odor and noise. This use excludes junkyards and automobile wrecking
yards.
(3) Catering means an operation where food is either fully or partially prepared on site
and delivered to the customer off site for final preparation and consumption.
Characteristics include truck traffic, refuse storage issues, limited on-site public
contact, and possible odors from materials and processing.
(4) Composting operation means the collection, storage, processing, disposal and
distribution of vegetation. Characteristics may include odor, unsightly appearance,
truck traffic and heavy equipment. Recycling of nonorganic materials is excluded.
(5) Freight terminal means short term storage and transshipment of materials and the
outdoor storage of trucks and related equipment. Characteristics include high
volumes of large truck traffic.
(6) Light Assembly means an operation that provides for a limited range of low intensity
assembly activities, such as creating, repairing, or renovating products inside a fully
enclosed building with minimal external effects. Light Assembly does not result in
noxious or offensive odors, sounds, vibrations, emissions, or any external nuisances
upon adjacent properties. Such uses may be associated with small offices or
warehousing operations. (Ord. No. 2414-12)
(7) Low Impact Manufacturing & Processing means a facility that engages in the
production of a physical commodity or changing the form of a raw ingredient within a
fully enclosed structure. Such uses do not result in noxious or offensive odors,
sounds, vibrations, emissions, smoke or external nuisances upon adjacent
properties. It may include administrative offices, warehousing and distribution. This
use does not include outdoor storage or overnight outdoor storage of commercial
vehicles. (Ord. No. 2414-12)
(8) Manufacturing/processing means a facility for the production of a physical commodity
or changing the form of a raw ingredient. It may include administrative offices,
warehousing, and limited distribution and sale of a commodity. Characteristics may
include heavy truck traffic, odor and noise of processes and equipment, refuse
storage issues, and the use of toxic and hazardous materials. Concrete plants,
junkyards, slaughterhouses, rendering plants, salvage yards, and auto reduction
plants are excluded.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
(9) Office warehouse means a facility in which the handling of information or the
performing of administrative services is conducted in conjunction with receiving,
holding, shipping and occasional packaging of commodities. Characteristics include
high peak period traffic generation and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. hours of operation,
high truck traffic generation and parking demand.
(10) Outdoor storage means the receiving, keeping and/or shipping of goods and
materials outside of an enclosed building where outdoor activity includes only the
unloading, loading, and keeping of materials. This use may include storage yards for
contractors, equipment, lumber, landscaping materials, construction materials and
shipping materials. Storage of unlicensed or inoperable vehicles or other materials
typically associated with a junkyard, salvage yard or auto reduction plant are
excluded.
(11) Parcel delivery service/post office means a facility for the transshipment of letters
and packages generally less than 100 pounds in weight. Customers may purchase
stamps, money orders, insurance, and other mail services. Hours of operation are
similar to those of offices, but may include Saturdays. Characteristics include high
volumes of truck and automobile traffic and vehicles stored on premises overnight.
(12) Recycling operation means a facility located within an enclosed building for the
collection, sorting, temporary storage, and shipment of recoverable resources
including, but not limited to, newspapers, cardboard, glassware, metal cans and
plastic.
(13) Research and Development means a facility for basic and applied research or
product development. It may include the testing of agricultural, biological, chemical,
magnetic, mechanical, optical or other components in advance of product
manufacturing. The work completed may result in the creation of new goods or new
intellectual property. Research and Development does not result in noxious or
offensive odors, sounds, vibrations, emissions, or any external nuisances upon
adjacent properties. This use does not involve the fabrication, mass manufacture, or
processing of products. (Ord. No. 2414-12, 6-1-12)
(14) Self-storage facility means any real property designed and used for the purpose
of renting or leasing individual storage space to individuals, organizations, or
businesses who are to have access to such facility for the purpose of storing and
removing personal property; a self-storage facility is not a warehouse/storage facility.
(Ord. No. 2570-19, 9-16-19
(15) Showroom means the display only of samples of merchandise and equipment
where a sales agreement with a consumer is conducted and delivery of purchased
merchandise is made from a warehouse that is not accessible to the consumer and
is physically separated from the showroom by a minimum eight-foot-tall permanent
wall. Merchandise or equipment which is displayed is typically large bulky items and
includes, but is not limited to, furniture, appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and
carpeting. Characteristics include hours of operation between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00
p.m. weekdays and during some weekend hours.
(16) Warehouse/storage means a facility for receiving, holding, shipping and/or
occasional packaging of commodities. With the exception of loading and unloading of
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
commodities, and parking and storage of trailers, all functions shall be within an
enclosed building. Characteristics may include high truck traffic generation and low
parking demand. This use may include, but is not limited to, conventional warehouse
facilities, mini warehouse, and joint warehouse and storage facilities.
(f) Transportation uses. The following are typical of the transportation uses referred to in
this chapter:
(17) Heliport means a facility for the landing, taking off, basing, service, and repair of
helicopters used for transportation purposes. Characteristics include noise and the
outdoor storage of helicopters.
(18) Helistop means a facility for the landing and taking off of helicopters used for
transportation purposes but with no facilities for the service of helicopters.
Characteristics include intermittent periods of noise.
(19) Off-street parking areas means private off-street parking spaces that are not
accessible to the public. (Ord. No. 2444-13, 8-30-13)
(20) Parking lots means surfaced and improved ground surface areas used for the
parking of licensed and operable motor vehicles for periods of less than 24 hours.
(21) Parking ramp means a structure built for the storage of licensed, operable motor
vehicles for periods of less than 24 hours. Characteristics may include noise,
exhaust fume odor, heavy traffic and large structure mass and footprint.
(22) Transit stations means on-site loading, unloading and transferring of passengers
on, off or between public transportation ground vehicles. Parking lots and parking
ramps frequently are located in conjunction with the station.
(f) Temporary uses. The following are typical of the temporary uses referred to in this
chapter:
(1) Agricultural commodities sales means the temporary display and sale of Christmas
trees and other greens which are associated with Christmas, flowers and produce.
(2) Building construction structure means a structure used by a contractor or leasing
agent as an office or for storage purposes for a construction project for which a
building permit has been secured and is in effect. This use includes construction
trailers, sales and leasing.
(3) Carnival and festivals mean carnivals, festivals, community art fairs, and other
activities that include uses such as entertainment, amusement rides, and/or the sale
of food and merchandise. This use shall not include sales or promotional events
offered by businesses with the intent of selling product or services identical or similar
to those typically sold or conducted on the lot.
(4) Garage sale means the temporary sale of home-crafted items and used household
goods by the owner, resident and/or neighbors of a property. Garage sales include
estate, rummage, basement, yard, porch or similar sales conducted at a residentially
zoned and/or used property.
(5) Mobile Use means a commercial activity conducted as a temporary use within a
vehicle.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
(6) Mobile Use-Food means a vehicle or cart used to sell food and/or beverages to the
consumer. It may or may not involve preparation of the food or beverage inside the
vehicle. (Ord. No. 2563-19, 7-15-19)
(7) Mobile Use-Medical means a vehicle used for the following: blood mobiles,
immunization, medical evaluation, imaging, diagnostic or testing procedure. Mobile
Use-Medical also includes pet care when limited to immunizations and exams.
Mobile Use – Medical does not include massage or any type of treatment or surgery.
(8) On-site equipment storage means any structure or outdoor storage area designed for
the on-site storage of construction equipment and materials for an active
construction project.
(9) Outdoor sales, temporary, means the display and sale of merchandise other than
agricultural commodities outside of an enclosed building where it is offered in
conjunction with an established use that legally sells the same or similar
merchandise within a building on the same site. Characteristics include the use of
tents, trailers, or other temporary structures.
(10) Pollution abatement equipment means equipment and structures that are erected
or installed on a property for the purpose of eliminating or abating ground or water
pollution.
(11) Temporary structure means a building other than a construction structure used
for a period not exceeding six months.
(Code 1976, § 14:5-3.2; Ord. No. 2168-00, 5-15-2000; Ord. No. 2188-01, 2-5-2001; Ord. No.
2220-02, § 2, 3-18-2002; Ord. No. 2225-02, § 2, 6-3-2002; Ord. No. 2228-02, § 2, 7-15-2002;
Ord. No. 2234-02, § 2, 12-2-2002; Ord. No. 2311-06, 1-27-2006; Ord. No. 2349-08, 2-22-2008;
Ord. No. 2358-08, 8-14-2008; Ord. No. 2367-09, 1-23-2009; Ord. No. 2369-09, 1-30-2009; Ord.
No. 2402-11, 8 -12-2011; Ord. No. 2414-12, 6-1-2012; Ord. No. 2443-13, 7-13-2013; Ord. No.
2444-13, 8-5-2013; Ord. No. 2449-13, 11 -15-2013; Ord. No. 2452-14, 5-2-2014, Ord. 2492-16,
5-16-16; Ord. No. 2514-17, 3-20-17; Ord. No. 2551-19, 1-22-19; Ord. No. 2562-19, 6-17-19;
Ord. No. 2563-19, 7-15-19; Ord. No. 2596-20, 10-19-20; Ord. No. 2602-21, 1-4-21; Ord. No.
2621-21, 7-6-2021)
Secs. 36-143
Sec. 36-143. – 36-149. Reserved.
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ARTICLE IV. ZONING DISTRICTS
Division 4. Neighborhood District Regulations
Sec. 36-161. Purpose of Division
(a) The provisions of this division deal with the city’s neighborhood districts including the
appropriate uses of land and the forms of structures for residential and compatible non-
residential uses.
Sec. 36-162. District Purpose Statements
(a) The N-1 district is consistent with the low-density residential land use category in the
comprehensive plan. This district is intended to:
(1) Provide a compatible mix of housing types at the same scale allowed for a single-unit
dwelling.
(2) Allow non-residential uses limited to city facilities, educational, childcare, and places
of worship. Home occupations are encouraged and required to be consistent with the
residential character of the neighborhood.
(3) Accommodate a variety of property sizes with housing types properly scaled to the
size of the property.
(b) The N-2 district is consistent with the medium-density residential land use category in
the comprehensive plan. It is intended to:
(1) Provide a mix of house scale and low-rise housing types beyond those allowed in the
N-1 district, such as low-rise multiple-unit buildings that retain compatibility with the
scale of housing allowed in the N-1 district.
(2) Allow non-residential uses are limited to city facilities, educational, childcare, and
places of worship. Home occupations are encouraged and required to be consistent
with the residential character of the neighborhood.
(3) Support neighborhood commercial businesses and transit by focusing on
transit-priority streets and encouraging close proximity to small commercial
nodes.
(c) The N-3 district is consistent with the high-density residential land use category in the
comprehensive plan. It is intended to:
(1) Provide low-rise and mid-rise multiple-unit housing types.
(2) Allow non-residential uses limited to city facilities, educational, childcare, and places
of worship. Home occupations are encouraged and required to be consistent with the
residential character of the neighborhood.
(3) Support neighborhood commercial businesses and transit by focusing on transit-
priority streets and close proximity to employment areas.
(4) Provide access to parks and open spaces. Access can be provided by being located
adjacent to large parks and open spaces, schools, or by off-street sidewalk
and/or trail access.
(d) The N-4 district is consistent with the high-density residential land use category in the
comprehensive plan. It is intended to:
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
(1) Provide mid-rise and high-rise multiple-unit housing types.
(2) Allow non-residential uses limited to city facilities, educational, childcare, and places
of worship. Home occupations are encouraged and required to be consistent with the
residential character of the neighborhood.
(3) Support neighborhood commercial businesses and transit by focusing on transit-
priority streets and being adjacent to employment areas.
(4) Have access to parks and open spaces. Access can be provided by being located
adjacent to large parks and open spaces, schools, or by off-street sidewalk and/or
trail access.
Sec. 36-163. Principal Uses
(a) Table 36-163(a) lists land uses and indicates whether they are permitted, permitted with
standards, conditional, or prohibited.
(b) The following definitions shall be referenced when using Table 36-163(a):
(1) Permitted Use: A “P” indicates that a use is allowed by right, subject to compliance
with all other applicable provisions of this code.
(2) Permitted with Standards Use: A “PS” indicates that a use is allowed when standards
identified in section 36-168 “Use-Specific Standards, Principal” are met. Uses
permitted with standards are also subject to all other applicable requirements of this
chapter. The use-specific standards shall apply when they are contradictory or
otherwise inconsistent with other applicable requirements in this chapter. Any request
to vary from the standards set forth for a permitted with standards use shall be
processed as a variance.
(3) Conditional Use: A “C” indicates that a use is allowed only when standards identified
in section 36-168 “Use-Specific Standards, Principal” are met, and a conditional use
permit is issued by the city. Uses permitted by conditional use permit are also subject
to all other applicable requirements of this chapter. The use-specific conditions shall
apply when they are contradictory or otherwise inconsistent with other applicable
requirements in this chapter. Any request to vary from the standards set forth for a
conditional use permit shall be processed as a variance.
(4) Prohibited Use: A blank cell in the use table indicates that the land use is prohibited
in that zoning district.
Table 36-163(a). Principal Uses in Neighborhood Districts
Neighborhood Districts
Use Type N-1 N-2 N-3 N-4
Residential
Household Living
Dwelling, single-unit PS PS
Dwelling, single-unit small PS PS
Dwelling, two-unit (duplex) PS PS
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Neighborhood Districts
Use Type N-1 N-2 N-3 N-4
Dwelling, two-unit attached
(twinhome) PS PS
Dwelling, detached courtyard
cottage/bungalow PS PS
Dwelling, three-unit PS PS
Dwelling, four-unit PS
Dwelling, townhouse (small) PS PS PS
Dwelling, apartment (low-rise) PS PS PS
Dwelling, townhouse (large) PS PS
Dwelling, apartment (mid-rise) PS PS
Dwelling, apartment (high-rise) PS
Manufactured home park C C C C
Dwelling, existing single-unit detached PS PS PS PS
Group Living
State-licensed residential facility PS PS PS PS
Roominghouse P P P
Group home PS PS PS PS
Nursing home PS PS PS
Lodging
Bed and breakfast establishment PS PS
Hostel PS PS
Public, Social, & Institutional
Community center PS PS PS PS
Educational (academic) facility with 20
or fewer students PS PS PS PS
Educational (academic) facility with
more than 20 students C C C C
Library PS PS PS PS
Park and open space PS PS PS P
Parks/recreation PS PS PS PS
Police/fire station PS PS PS PS
Religious institution C C C C
Commercial
Personal Services and Businesses
Adult day care PS PS PS PS
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Neighborhood Districts
Use Type N-1 N-2 N-3 N-4
Group day care/nursery school PS PS PS PS
Office less than 2,500 square feet PS PS PS
Office in existence or having received
preliminary office development
approval by March 1, 1999
P P
Recreation
Country club C
Golf course C
Healthcare
Hospital C C
Transportation and Utilities
Communication tower that is 45 feet
or less in height PS PS PS PS
Communication tower more than 45
feet in height but does not exceed 70
feet in height
C C C C
Public service structure PS PS PS PS
Transit station P P P
Sec. 36-164. Accessory Uses
(a) Table 36-164(a) lists accessory land uses and indicates whether they are permitted,
permitted with standards, conditional, or prohibited.
(b) The following definitions shall be referenced when using Table 36-164(a):
(1) Permitted Use: A “P” indicates that a use is allowed by right, subject to compliance
with all other applicable provisions of this code.
(2) Permitted with Standards Use: A “PS” indicates that a use is allowed when standards
identified in section 36-169 “Use-Specific Standards, Accessory” are met. Uses
permitted with standards are also subject to all other applicable requirements of this
chapter. Any request to vary from the standards set forth for a permitted with
standards use shall be processed as a variance.
(3) Conditional Use: A “C” indicates that a use is allowed only if a conditional use permit
is issued by the city after compliance with the procedure and requirements set forth
in section 36-33 “Conditional Use Permit.”
(4) Prohibited Use: A blank cell in the use table indicates that the land use is prohibited
in that zoning district.
Table 36-164(a). Accessory Uses
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Neighborhood Districts
Use Type N-1 N-2 N-3 N-4
Accessory Uses
Accessory dwelling unit PS PS
Accessory dwelling unit affiliated with a
Religious Institution PS PS PS PS
Accessory building PS PS PS PS
Accessory structure PS PS PS PS
Adult day care in a religious institution,
community center, or nursing home PS PS PS PS
Boarders or roomers PS PS PS PS
Catering PS P
Community garden PS PS PS PS
Family day care facility serving 14 or
fewer persons PS PS PS PS
Gardening and other horticultural uses P P P P
Group day care/nursery school in a
religious institution, community center, or
educational (academic) institution
PS PS PS PS
Helistop PS PS
Home occupation PS PS PS (c) PS
Living quarters of persons employed for
domestic or medical purposes on the
premises
PS PS PS PS
Mikvah pool PS PS PS PS
Parking lot P P P P
Parking ramp PS PS
Residential swimming pool, whirlpool,
sport court PS PS PS PS
Solar energy system PS PS PS PS
Student housing PS PS
Supportive commercial use PS PS
Wind energy conversion system (WECS) PS PS PS PS
Sec. 36-165. Lot Dimension Standards
(a) Table 36-165(a) establishes the minimum lot width and lot area standards for the N-1, N-
2, N-3, and N-4 districts.
Table 36-165(a). Lot Dimensional Standards
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
District Use Type
Lot width
minimum
with alley
(ft)1
Lot width
minimum
without alley
(ft)1
Lot area
minimum
with alley
(sq ft)1
Lot area
minimum
without alley
(sq ft)1
N-1
Dwelling, single-unit small [only
lots with alleys]
30 3,600
Dwelling, single-unit 40 50 4,800 6,000
Dwelling, two-unit (duplex) 40 50 4,800 6,000
Dwelling, two-unit attached
(twinhome)
25 [50] 35 [70] 3,125 [6,250] 4,375 [8,750]
Dwelling, detached courtyard
cottages/bungalows
100 110 13,000 14,300
Dwelling, three-unit 60 70 7,800 9,100
All other uses 60 70 7,800 9,100
N-2
Dwelling, single-unit small [only
lots with alleys]
30 3,600
Dwelling, single-unit 40 50 4,800 6,000
Dwelling, two-unit (duplex) 40 50 4,800 6,000
Dwelling, two-unit attached
(twinhome)
25 [50] 35 [70] 3,125 [6,250] 4,375 [8,750]
Dwelling, detached courtyard
cottages/bungalows
100 110 13,000 14,300
Dwelling, three-unit 60 70 7,800 9,100
Dwelling, four-unit 60 70 7,800 9,100
Dwelling, townhouse (small) 20 20 2,600 2,600
Dwelling, apartment (low-rise) 60 70 7,800 9,100
All other uses 60 70 7,800 9,100
N-3
Dwelling, townhouse (small) 20 20 2,600 2,600
Dwelling, apartment (low-rise) 60 70 7,800 9,100
Dwelling, townhouse (large) 20 20 2,600 2,600
Dwelling, apartment (mid-rise) 60 70 7,800 9,100
All other uses 60 70 7,800 9,100
Dwelling, townhouse (small) 20 20 2,600 2,600
N-4
Dwelling, apartment (low-rise) 60 70 7,800 9,100
Dwelling, townhouse (large) 20 20 2,600 2,600
Dwelling, apartment (mid-rise) 60 70 7,800 9,100
Dwelling, apartment (high-rise) 60 70 7,800 9,100
All other uses 60 70 7,800 9,100
(1) Table 36-165(a) notes:
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
(2) For N-3 and N-4 districts, minimum lot width and area requirements in table, except
where subdivisions for the purpose of establishing condominium ownership result in
lot sizes smaller than the established minimum.
Sec. 36-166. Site Dimension Standards
(a) Table 36-166(a) establishes the minimum yard setback standards for the N-1, N-2, N-3,
and N-4 districts
Table 36-166(a). Yard Setback Standards
District Use Type
Front
Yard
Minimum
(feet)1,2
Side Yard
Abutting a
Street
Minimum
(feet)3,4
Side Yard
Interior
Minimum
(feet) for
Attached
Garage or
Lot with
Alley3, 4
Side Yard
Interior
Minimum
(feet) for
Detached
Garage on
Lot without
Alley3, 4, 5
Rear Yard
Minimum
(feet)6
Perimeter
Yard
Minimum
(feet)
N-1
Dwelling, single-
unit small [only
lots with alleys]
25 9
5 9/5 25
Dwelling, single-
unit 5 9/5 25
Dwelling, two-unit
(duplex) 5 9/5 25
Dwelling, two-unit
attached
(twinhome)
5 9/5 25
Dwelling,
detached
courtyard
cottages/
bungalows
10
Dwelling, three-
unit 5 9/5 25
All other uses 10 10 25
N-2
Dwelling, single-
unit small [only
lots with alleys]
25 9
5 9/5 25
Dwelling, single-
unit 5 9/5 25
Dwelling, two-unit
(duplex) 5 9/5 25
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
District Use Type
Front
Yard
Minimum
(feet)1,2
Side Yard
Abutting a
Street
Minimum
(feet)3,4
Side Yard
Interior
Minimum
(feet) for
Attached
Garage or
Lot with
Alley3, 4
Side Yard
Interior
Minimum
(feet) for
Detached
Garage on
Lot without
Alley3, 4, 5
Rear Yard
Minimum
(feet)6
Perimeter
Yard
Minimum
(feet)
Dwelling, two-unit
attached
(twinhome)
5 9/5 25
Dwelling,
detached
courtyard
cottages/
bungalows
10
Dwelling, three-
unit 5 9/5 25
Dwelling, four-unit 5 9/5 25
Dwelling,
townhouse
(small)
10 10 25
20 feet if
adjacent
to N-1
district
Dwelling,
apartment (low-
rise)
10 10 25
All other uses 10 10 25
N-3
Dwelling,
townhouse
(small) 15 15 10 10 10
20 feet if
adjacent
to N-1
district
Dwelling,
apartment (low-
rise)
15 15 10 10 10
20 feet if
adjacent
to N-1
district
Dwelling,
townhouse (large)
30 feet if
adjacent
to N-1 or
N-2
districts Dwelling,
apartment (mid-
rise)
30 feet if
adjacent
to N-1 or
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
District Use Type
Front
Yard
Minimum
(feet)1,2
Side Yard
Abutting a
Street
Minimum
(feet)3,4
Side Yard
Interior
Minimum
(feet) for
Attached
Garage or
Lot with
Alley3, 4
Side Yard
Interior
Minimum
(feet) for
Detached
Garage on
Lot without
Alley3, 4, 5
Rear Yard
Minimum
(feet)6
Perimeter
Yard
Minimum
(feet)
N-2
districts All other uses 30 feet if
adjacent
to N-1 or
N-2
districts
N-4
Dwelling,
townhouse
(small)
15 15 10 10 10
20 feet if
adjacent
to N-1
district
Dwelling,
apartment (low-
rise)
20 feet if
adjacent
to N-1
district
Dwelling,
townhouse (large)
30 feet if
adjacent
to N-1 or
N-2
districts
Dwelling,
apartment (mid-
rise)
30 feet if
adjacent
to N-1 or
N-2
districts
Half the
building
height if
adjacent
to N-1,
N-2, or
N-3
districts
Dwelling,
apartment (high-
rise)
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
District Use Type
Front
Yard
Minimum
(feet)1,2
Side Yard
Abutting a
Street
Minimum
(feet)3,4
Side Yard
Interior
Minimum
(feet) for
Attached
Garage or
Lot with
Alley3, 4
Side Yard
Interior
Minimum
(feet) for
Detached
Garage on
Lot without
Alley3, 4, 5
Rear Yard
Minimum
(feet)6
Perimeter
Yard
Minimum
(feet)
All other uses 30 feet if
adjacent
to N-1 or
N-2
districts
(1) Table 36-166(a) notes:
a. For N-1 and N-2 districts, minimum requirement in table for the front wall of the
closest house on the block front, whichever is greater. See additional exceptions
in Section 36-73.
b. For N-1 and N-2 districts, through lots shall have a required front yard on each
street.
c. The width of the side yard abutting a building wall shall be increased two inches
for each foot the length of the wall of the building exceeds 40 feet (N-1, N-2) or
50 feet (N-3, N-4).
1. For the purposes of applying this subsection, a wall includes any building wall
within ten degrees of being parallel to and abutting the side lot line of a lot.
2. Side yard widths may be reduced if the side wall of a building is not parallel
by more than ten degrees with the side lot line.
3. The minimum side yard shall be met by the average depth of the side yard.
No side yard shall be less than five feet deep.
4. No side yard shall be reduced to prevent construction of a driveway from the
street into the rear of the lot unless a garage which has access from the
street is located on the lot or an alley provides a secondary access to the rear
yard of the lot.
d. For N-1 and N-2 districts, if a corner lot has a rear lot line which is common with
the side lot line of another lot, no building shall occupy that portion of the rear
yard of the corner lot that abuts the front yard of the other lot for a distance equal
to the depth of the front yard of that other lot or 30 feet, whichever is less,
measured from the common property line of the two lots extending toward the
front lot line of the corner lot on a line perpendicular to the common lot line of the
two lots. See the following diagram.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
Common Rear / Side Lot Lines
e. When two numbers are listed as a yard, then both shall apply. One on one side,
the other on the other side. In the case of a corner lot, the required side yard
abutting a street shall take the place of the greater yard.
(b) Table 36-166(b) establishes the minimum building, outdoor recreation, and lot coverage
for the N-1, N-2, N-3, and N-4 districts.
Table 36-166(b). Building, Outdoor Recreation, and Lot Coverage Standards
District Housing Type
Building
Height
Maximum
(feet)1
Distance
Between
Buildings
Minimum
(feet)
DORA
Minimum
Principal
Building
Coverage
Maximum
Impervious
Surface
Coverage
Maximum
N-1
Dwelling, single-
unit small [only
lots with alleys]
30
35% 60%
Dwelling, single-
unit
Dwelling, two-unit
(duplex)
Dwelling, two-unit
attached
(twinhome)
Dwelling,
detached
courtyard
cottages/
bungalows
10
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
District Housing Type
Building
Height
Maximum
(feet)1
Distance
Between
Buildings
Minimum
(feet)
DORA
Minimum
Principal
Building
Coverage
Maximum
Impervious
Surface
Coverage
Maximum
Dwelling, three-
unit
All other uses
N-2
Dwelling, single-
unit small [only
lots with alleys]
40
35% 60%
Dwelling, single-
unit 35% 60%
Dwelling, two-unit
(duplex) 35% 60%
Dwelling, two-unit
attached
(twinhome)
35% 60%
Dwelling,
detached
courtyard
cottages/
bungalows
10 35% 60%
Dwelling, three-
unit 35% 60%
Dwelling, four-unit 35% 75%
Dwelling,
townhouse (small) 15 12% 75%
Dwelling,
apartment (low-
rise)
15 12% 80%
All other uses 80%
N-3
Dwelling,
townhouse (small)
75
15 12% 75%
Dwelling,
apartment (low-
rise)
1/2 the
building
height
12% 80%
Dwelling,
townhouse (large) 15 12% 80%
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
District Housing Type
Building
Height
Maximum
(feet)1
Distance
Between
Buildings
Minimum
(feet)
DORA
Minimum
Principal
Building
Coverage
Maximum
Impervious
Surface
Coverage
Maximum
Dwelling,
apartment (mid-
rise)
1/2 the
building
height
12% 85%
All other uses 85%
N-4
Dwelling,
townhouse (small)
More than 75
15 12% 80%
Dwelling,
apartment (low-
rise)
1/2 the
building
height
12% 80%
Dwelling,
townhouse (large) 15 12% 80%
Dwelling,
apartment (mid-
rise)
1/2 the
building
height
12% 85%
Dwelling,
apartment (high-
rise)
1/2 the
building
height
12% 85%
All other uses 85%
(1) Table 36-166(b) notes:
a. Building height maximum is subject to exceptions in section 36-78.
Sec. 36-167. District Standards
(a) All structures or properties in the N districts shall comply with the following regulations:
(1) All trash, garbage, waste materials, trash containers, and recycling containers stored
outdoors shall be screened in accordance with screening regulations provided in this
chapter.
(2) All utility lines including electric, gas, water, sanitary sewer, telephone, and television
cable shall be placed underground when used with all new structures or additions
which expand the gross square footage of a structure by more than 50 percent
unless used for service to single-unit, two-unit, or three-unit dwellings. In addition,
any new service to an existing building other than a single-unit or two-unit dwelling
shall be placed underground.
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
(3) All access roads shall have a poured-in-place concrete curb measuring at least six
inches above and below the grade in all developments except developments of
single-unit, two-unit, or three-unit dwellings.
(4) Interior pedestrian circulation and pedestrian linkage to any existing public trails or
sidewalks shall be provided where practically possible for all developments except
developments of single-unit, two-unit, or three-unit dwellings.
(5) All single-unit, two-unit, and three-unit dwellings shall:
a. Be built on a permanent foundation;
b. Be connected to the city sanitary sewer and water; and
c. If the dwelling is a manufactured home, it shall:
1. Have a permanent, completely enclosed foundation which complies with the
state manufactured home building code and which is constructed around the
entire circumference of the structure.
2. Meet the standards and be certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development.
(6) Any parcels which are subdivided for the purpose of creating condominium
ownership are permitted provided that the overall density created within all
condominium parcels plus the common lot do not exceed the maximum density
permitted within the zoning district. Provisions for designed outdoor recreation area
may be provided on a common lot. Any front, rear, and side yard dimensions
required by this section 36-166 shall apply from the building face to the property line
of the common lot.
(7) For N-1 and N-2 districts, a single-unit dwelling which legally existed or for which a
valid building permit had been granted on or before the effective date of the
ordinance from which this chapter is derived, may be expanded by an addition or
dormer, provided the addition does not extend into the existing side yard.
(8) For N-3 and N-4 districts, all dwelling units shall be at or above the grade of all land
abutting the structure within a distance of 25 feet from all faces of the building.
(b) Parking and storing of vehicles. The parking or storing of any motor vehicle, recreation
vehicle, or commercial vehicle in the N districts is subject to all restrictions in this
subsection and under section 36-361.
(1) Findings. The city council finds that certain standards are desirable in order to
preserve neighborhood character, public health and safety, property values, and
allow all residents a reasonable use and enjoyment of property. While the city council
finds that the use and possession of commercial and recreational vehicles are an
important factor in the lives of a substantial number of residents of the city, the
council also finds that certain types and sizes of commercial and recreational
vehicles, the improper storage of commercial and recreational vehicles, and the
parking of and storage of excessive numbers of vehicles can affect the neighborhood
character as well as public health and safety, property values, and the reasonable
use and enjoyment of neighboring properties. While the ability of recreational vehicle
owners to provide for the security of and access to their vehicles is a reasonable
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
expectation, they have a responsibility to respect the rights of residents, owners, and
users of neighboring properties and to avoid interference with the purposes of the
zoning district in which they are located. The city council further finds that the
establishment of these standards furthers the goals in the city's comprehensive plan
relative to enhancement of residential neighborhoods and similar goals expressed in
Vision St. Louis Park. The city council establishes these standards as a means to
balance the interests of the owners of commercial and recreational vehicles,
adjacent residents and the public.
(2) Except as provided in subsections (e)(3) and (e)(9) of this section, no motor vehicle,
recreational vehicle, commercial vehicle, or trailer shall be permitted to stand or park
in the N districts which exceeds any of the following:
a. Eight feet in height, measured from the ground to the highest point on the vehicle
at recommended tire pressure. For the purpose of measuring height, all
accessories, attachments, and materials carried upon a vehicle shall be
considered part of the vehicle;
b. Twenty-two feet in length, measured at the longest point of the vehicle or, if a
trailer, the horizontal distance between the front and rear edges of the trailer bed.
For the purpose of measuring length, all accessories, attachments, and materials
carried upon a vehicle shall be considered part of the vehicle or trailer bed; or
c. Six thousand five hundred pounds, empty weight including the box.
(3) One recreational vehicle which exceeds any of the limits set forth in subsection (e)(2)
of this section and is owned by the occupant of the premises can be parked behind
the rear face of the principal building if:
a. The vehicle is parked no closer than five feet from any property line.
b. If the property has more than a three-unit dwelling, the vehicle must be stored on
a concrete or bituminous surface and the parking space must be in excess of the
minimum number of parking spaces required by this chapter.
c. The vehicle shall be screened using a 90 percent opaque fence which is six feet
high and plant materials which at maturity have the ability to screen 100 percent
of the height and 100 percent of the length of the vehicle with a minimum of 50
percent opacity from view from:
1. Any park.
2. Any abutting residentially developed property.
3. Any street which abuts the back yard.
The fence and plant materials shall be located in such a manner that visibility is
maintained as required in section 36-76. A six-foot-high gate may be placed in
the fence to allow for ingress and egress. Plant materials may be omitted at
points of ingress and egress but the gap in landscaping may not exceed the
width of the vehicle plus two feet.
(4) The following provisions shall apply to the parking and storage of vehicles on
residential parcels in the N-1 and N-2 districts:
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
a. No more than four vehicles can be parked or stored outside an enclosed building
on a lot that contains a single-unit dwelling. For a two-unit dwelling (duplex), each
dwelling may have up to four vehicles parked or stored outside. This regulation
shall not apply during snow emergencies.
b. No more than two non-passenger vehicles can be parked on a residential lot
outside of an enclosed building. Except as permitted in subsection (e)(3) of this
section, vehicles shall be stored on a designated parking space. Non-passenger
vehicles cannot be parked or stored in front of the front face of the principal
building or between the front and rear face of the principal building when abutting
a street except as allowed under subsection (e)(3) of this section.
c. Only commercial vehicles which do not exceed any of the size requirements
under subsection (e)(2) of this section and are designed exclusively for on-street
use can be parked on residential lots outside an enclosed building. Commercial
vehicles shall be parked only within a garage or on a designated parking space
and cannot be parked or stored in front of the front face of the principal building
or between the front and rear face of the principal building when abutting a street
except as permitted under subsection (e)(4) of this section.
d. Except as permitted in subsection (e)(3) of this section, all vehicles must be
stored on a surface improved for driveway purposes with an approved paving
surface.
e. No more than one recreational vehicle which exceeds the size requirements in
subsection (e)(3) of this section can be parked on a residential lot outside an
enclosed building.
f. No non-passenger vehicle can be parked within five feet of an interior side lot line
or rear lot line.
g. No non-passenger vehicle can be parked in front of the front face of the principal
building or between the front and rear face of the principal building when abutting
a street except where designated parking space is permitted under subsection
36-361(m)(11). Under no circumstances can a non-passenger vehicle which
exceeds the size limitations in subsection (e)(2) of this section be parked in a
front yard.
h. No non-passenger vehicle can be parked on a residential lot if the vehicle is not
owned or leased by the occupant of the premises where it is parked or is a
commercial vehicle owned by the employer of an occupant who is using the
vehicle for business purposes.
i. Only one tow truck can be parked on a residential property.
j. Parking is not permitted on a driveway within five feet of the curb of a public
street. In the absence of a curb, parking shall not be permitted within five feet of
the traveled public roadway, in no event can a vehicle be parked in such a
manner as to block a public sidewalk.
k. Recreational vehicles six feet in height or less at their highest points may be
parked in one non-driveway area between the front and rear face of the principal
building on a neighborhood zoned lot provided that they are ten feet or more from
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the adjacent residence, do not extend beyond the front face of the principal
building, and are screened from the street and from the adjacent neighbor with a
90 percent opaque fence with a height at least equal to the height of the highest
point of the vehicle to be screened. A fence-height gate may be placed in the
fence to allow for ingress and egress.
(5) One vehicle with an attached snowplow can be parked outside of an enclosed
building between November 1 or the first two-inch snowfall, whichever occurs first,
and April 30. This vehicle will be considered to be a commercial vehicle when
applying this chapter.
(6) Snowplows and other commercial equipment must be stored within an enclosed
structure when not attached to a vehicle.
(7) Outdoor storage of fish houses is not permitted on a residential lot
(8) On-street parking of non-passenger vehicles is not permitted in the N districts.
(9) The following are exempt from the provisions in this subsection:
a. Any vehicle being used in conjunction with a temporary service benefiting the
property.
b. Vehicles used in conjunction with authorized construction sites between 7:00
a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00
p.m. on weekends and holidays.
c. Vehicles used in conjunction with authorized public works construction.
d. Recreational vehicles can be parked temporarily while being loaded or unloaded
or during routine maintenance and servicing not exceeding 48 consecutive hours.
(10) Driveway and parking areas. The following provisions shall apply to driveway and
parking areas for single-unit, two-unit, and three-unit dwellings:
a. Permit required. A driveway permit shall be issued prior to the installation,
replacement, or expansion of any driveway or parking area.
b. Width.
1. The maximum width for the driveway apron shall not exceed 22 feet.
2. The maximum cumulative width for driveways, parking areas, and
turnarounds shall not exceed 36 feet for single-unit, and 44 feet for two- and
three-unit dwellings.
3. Horseshoe driveways are permitted when additional driveway accesses are
allowed. The secondary driveway width shall be deducted from the maximum
driveway width allowed and shall not exceed 12 feet in width.
c. Setbacks.
1. No side setbacks are required for driveways, parking areas, and turnarounds.
2. The start of the transition to a driveway or parking area that is wider than the
driveway apron may start immediately after the driveway apron and cannot
exceed 45 degrees.
3. Turnarounds must be located on private property.
d. Driveway access.
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1. One access to a street and/or alley is allowed for single-unit dwellings on lots
less than 80 feet wide.
2. Two accesses to a street and/or alley is allowed for two- and three-unit
dwellings, or single-unit dwellings on lots greater than or equal to 80 feet
wide.
3. Two street accesses are allowed for corner lots with the condition that one
access is allowed per street frontage for lots less than 80 feet in width.
e. Miscellaneous.
1. The maximum slope on the driveway shall not exceed 10%.
2. The surface of the driveway shall be paved with asphalt, concrete, or pavers.
Permeable pavers and ribbon driveways may be used on private property if
vegetation is maintained between the ribbons of the driveway and the open
areas of the permeable pavers.
Sec. 36-168. Use Specific Standards, Principal
(a) Adult day care.
(1) At least 12% of the lot area shall be developed as designed outdoor recreation area.
(2) Within the N-1 and N-2 districts, the facility can serve 16 or fewer persons.
(b) Bed and breakfast establishment.
(1) The facility shall be owner occupied.
(2) The total number of guestrooms shall be limited to three.
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(3) Not more than 50 percent of the gross floor area of the residence shall be used for
the guesthouse operation.
(4) Accommodations may be provided to a guest for a period not exceeding 14 days.
(5) Food service shall be limited to breakfast.
(6) Rented rooms shall not contain cooking facilities.
(7) Rooms used for sleeping shall be part of the primary residential structure and shall
not have been constructed specifically for rental purposes.
(c) Communication tower that is 45 feet or less.
(1) The tower must meet the standards of Section 368 (Communication Towers and
Antennas).
(d) Communication tower that is more than 45 feet in height but does not exceed 70 feet in
height.
(1) The tower must meet the standards of Section 368 (Communication Towers and
Antennas).
(e) Community center.
(1) The property shall be designated as civic in the comprehensive plan.
(2) Unless a redevelopment plan for the area has been adopted as part of the city
comprehensive plan, the following standards shall apply:
a. The principal building shall be located a minimum of 30 feet from any parcel that
is zoned N and used for dwelling purposes.
b. Outdoor areas improved for group activities shall be located at least 25 feet from
any parcel that is zoned N and used for dwelling purposes.
(f) Country club.
(1) All structures shall be located a minimum of 30 feet from any parcel that is zoned N
and used for dwelling purposes.
(g) Dwelling
(1) Dwelling, single unit
a. Lot access
1. If a lot is adjacent to an alley, driveway access shall be off the alley.
2. If a lot is not adjacent to an alley but is a corner lot or a through lot, then
driveway access shall be off the side street with the lower functional class as
defined by the comprehensive plan.
3. If a lot is not adjacent to an alley nor a corner lot, driveway access can be
from the street.
4. A driveway existing as of [insert date] that does not meet the above lot
access standards can continue in the same location until the property is
redeveloped. Such driveway may be expanded as long as it is in
conformance with the City Code.
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b. The front façade of an attached garage must be a minimum of 5 feet behind the
principal building’s front façade. A garage with more than two parking stalls shall
have the front façade of the third stall set back an additional 3 feet.
c. The maximum garage width facing a public right-of-way shall not exceed 50% of
the principal building’s front facade.
(2) Dwelling, single unit small
a. The dwelling shall be no more than 1,200 square feet in size.
b. The dwelling footprint shall be no more than 800 square feet
c. The maximum height of the dwelling unit shall be 25 feet.
(3) Dwelling, two-unit (duplex)
a. Any two-unit (duplex) dwelling shall abide by the standards as required for
dwelling, single-unit above.
(4) Dwelling, two-unit attached (twinhome)
a. Any two-unit attached (twinhome) dwelling shall abide by the standards as
required for dwelling, single-unit above.
(5) Dwelling, detached courtyard cottages/bungalows
a. A cottage courtyard development shall consist of at least four and no more than
12 dwelling units located around a shared, centrally located courtyard.
b. The cottage courtyard development shall provide a minimum of 300 square feet
of common open space per dwelling unit. This common open space includes the
required shared courtyard, which shall be at least 20 feet in width and depth.
c. A cottage courtyard development may have more than one courtyard.
d. Each dwelling unit shall have a maximum height of 25 feet.
e. Each dwelling unit shall have a maximum ground floor area of 900 square feet.
f. Each dwelling unit shall have the primary entrance oriented to the shared
courtyard.
g. Each dwelling unit abutting a public street shall have windows on the facade
oriented to the public street.
h. Each dwelling unit shall have no more than a one-stall attached garage.
i. Accessory buildings. No accessory buildings shall be allowed except for a one-
stall detached garage for each dwelling unit and accessory buildings for use by
the homeowners association.
j. Parking areas shall not be located in any required yard abutting a public street.
k. Accessory dwelling units are prohibited.
l. Dwelling units may be located on one parcel or on individual parcels for each
dwelling unit with a separate parcel for common open spaces and facilities.
(6) Dwelling, three-unit
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a. Driveway access shall be off the alley if present. If a lot is on a corner, then the
driveway shall be off the side street if an alley is not present. If there is not an
alley or the lot is not a corner lot, the driveway access may be from the front of
the property.
b. On the public street-facing facade, no garage shall occupy more than 50 percent
of any street-facing individual unit facade.
(7) Dwelling, four-unit
a. Any four-unit dwelling shall abide by the standards as required for dwelling,
three-unit above.
(8) Dwelling, townhouse
a. Lot access
1. If a lot is adjacent to an alley, driveway access shall be off the alley.
2. If a lot is not adjacent to an alley but is a corner lot or a through lot, then
driveway access shall be off the side street with the lower functional class as
defined by the comprehensive plan.
3. If a lot is not adjacent to an alley nor a corner lot, driveway access can be
from the street.
4. A driveway existing as of [insert date] that does not meet the above lot
access standards can continue in the same location until the property is
redeveloped. Such driveway may be expanded as long as it is in
conformance with the City Code.
b. The maximum number of dwellings per structure shall be as follows:
1. Small townhouse dwelling shall have no more than four units
2. Large townhouse dwelling shall have no more than eight units The orientation
of the structure(s) shall match the orientation of other existing principal
structures along the block on which it is located.
c. On the public street-facing facade, no garage shall extend more than 50 percent
of any individual unit.
d. Buildings shall be designed with significant variation in the façade every 60 feet
and minor variations at least every 20 feet. Variation can be achieved with
articulation, texture, materials, doors, windows, roof dormers, gables, and
covered porches. Any architectural projection or recess used to accomplish this
change shall be a minimum of six feet wide and two feet deep.
(9) Dwelling, apartment (low-rise)
a. Lot access
1. If a lot is adjacent to an alley, driveway access shall be off the alley.
2. If a lot is not adjacent to an alley but is a corner lot or a through lot, then
driveway access shall be off the street with the lower functional class as
defined by the comprehensive plan.
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3. A driveway existing as of [insert date] that does not meet the above lot
access standards can continue in the same location until the property is
redeveloped. Such driveway may be expanded as long as it is in
conformance with the City Code.
b. Individual dwelling unit entrances for ground floor units may be interior or exterior
entrances.
c. Any driveways or parking areas within 30 feet of a property zoned N-1 or N-2
shall be screened. Such screening may consist of a solid hedge, an architectural
compatible opaque wall, fence, berm or combination thereof.
d. To qualify as age-restricted housing, it must provide the following:
1. A minimum of 1,000 square feet of lot area for each dwelling unit.
2. A lounge or other inside community rooms equal in aggregate size to a
minimum of 15 square feet for each unit.
3. A recorded covenant to run with the land, executed in a form approved by the
city, which restricts the use of the property to occupancy by age.
(10) Dwelling, apartment (mid-rise)
a. Access shall be to a roadway identified in the comprehensive plan as a collector
or arterial, or shall be otherwise located so that access can be provided without
generating significant traffic on local residential streets.
b. Any mid-rise apartment dwelling shall abide by the standards as required for
dwelling, apartment (low-rise) above.
(11) Dwelling, apartment (high-rise)
a. Any high-rise apartment dwelling shall abide by the standards as required for
dwelling, apartment (mid-rise) above.
(h) Educational (academic) facilities with 20 or fewer students.
(1) The school shall be limited to preschool through eighth grade.
(2) Access shall be to a roadway identified in the comprehensive plan as a collector or
arterial, or shall be otherwise located so that access can be provided without
generating significant traffic on local residential streets.
(3) Student drop-off and loading areas shall not interfere with traffic and pedestrian
movements.
(4) An outdoor play area shall be provided that contains at least 40 square feet per
student enrolled at the school, or be located adjacent to a public park.
(i) Educational (academic) facility with more than 20 students.
(1) The principal buildings shall be located a minimum of 30 feet from any parcel zoned
N and used for a dwelling.
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(2) An off-street passenger loading area shall be provided to maintain vehicular and
pedestrian safety.
(3) Outdoor recreational and play areas shall be located at least 25 feet from any parcel
that is zoned N and used for a dwelling.
(4) Access shall be to a roadway identified in the comprehensive plan as a collector or
arterial, or shall be otherwise located so that access can be provided without
generating significant traffic on local residential streets.
(j) Golf course.
(1) All structures shall be located a minimum of 30 feet from any parcel that is zoned N
and either used for residential use or has an occupied institutional building, including
but not limited to educational (academic) facilities, religious institutions, and
community centers.
(k) Group day care/nursery school.
(1) The principal buildings shall be located a minimum of 30 feet from any parcel zoned
N and used for a dwelling.
(2) Outdoor recreational and play areas shall be located at least 25 feet from any parcel
zoned N and used for a dwelling.
(3) The on-site outdoor activity area shall be enclosed by a fence.
(4) As allowed for by state licensing, city parks may be utilized to meet up to 50 percent
of the required outdoor activity areas with the following conditions:
a. The park must have age-appropriate play equipment.
b. There is a clearly defined and maintained sidewalk or improved trail connecting
the facility to the park.
(5) An off-street passenger loading area shall be provided to maintain vehicular and
pedestrian safety.
(l) Group home.
(1) The use shall not be located within 1,500 feet of any other group home or state-
licensed residential facility.
(2) The maximum occupancy of a facility shall not exceed six people in the N-1 and N-2
district, 30 people in the N-3 district, and 50 people in the N-4 district. A minimum of
300 square feet of gross building area shall be provided for each resident.
(3) At least 12% of the lot area shall be developed as designed outdoor recreation area.
(4) At least 800 square feet of lot area shall be provided for each person, including
resident staff, housed on the site.
(5) The building structure shall not be modified or converted for the specific purpose of
accommodating the group home use except to comply with Americans with
Disabilities Act requirements or other normal maintenance and repair.
(6) The following shall also be required for facilities located in the N-1 and N-2 districts:
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a. No more than two people shall occupy one bedroom
b. One bathroom shall be provided for every three persons living at the facility.
(m) Hospital.
(1) Buildings located within 100 feet of a property zoned N-1 or N-2 shall be limited to
the lesser of four stories or 45 feet. The height of all other buildings more than 100
feet away in N-1 or N-2, or located in the N-3 or N-4 districts, shall be regulated by
yard and floor area ratio requirements.
(2) Access shall be to a roadway identified in the comprehensive plan as a collector or
arterial.
(3) Internal traffic circulation shall be designed to minimize traffic within 100 feet of any
property abutting a N district.
(4) Screening and a six foot privacy fence shall be installed and maintained along any
abutting N district.
(5) The property shall be designated for office use in the comprehensive plan.
(n) Hostel.
(1) The hostel shall be affiliated with a national or international hostel organization and
shall be subject to the operating procedures of such organization.
(2) The hostel shall be available for occupancy only by members of the affiliate or the
parent organization.
(3) The hours for check-in/check-out shall be limited to 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
(4) Overnight parking of vehicles whose passenger capacity exceeds 15 shall be
prohibited on the site.
(5) Outdoor recreational and play areas shall be located at least 25 feet from any lot
zoned N and either used for residential use or has an occupied institutional building,
including but not limited to educational (academic) facilities, religious institutions, and
community centers.
(6) No room shall contain more than four beds.
(o) Library.
(1) All structures shall be located a minimum of 30 feet from any parcel that is zoned N
and either used for residential use or has an occupied institutional building, including
but not limited to educational (academic) facilities, religious institutions, and
community centers.
(p) Manufactured home park.
(1) The manufactured home park, and all manufactured homes sited within it, must meet
all requirements set forth in state statutes.
(2) A responsible attendant or caretaker must be in charge at all times and shall be
responsible for ensuring the maintenance of the park, its facilities, and its equipment
in clean, ordinary, and sanitary condition.
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(3) The manufactured home park must be at least 5 acres in size.
(4) The manufactured home park shall meet the density requirement set forth in the
comprehensive plan.
(5) Uses permitted within the park shall include only manufactured homes, storm
shelters, recreational facilities, and accessory uses to the manufactured homes,
including common laundering facilities, garages, sheds, and similar structures
necessary for the operation and maintenance of the park.
(6) All manufactured homes shall be equipped with an anchoring system approved by
the Minnesota Department of Administration (Building Code division). The frame,
wheels, crawl space, storage areas, and utility connections of all manufactured
homes shall be concealed from view by skirting made of durable all-weather
construction material that is consistent with the exterior of the manufactured home.
Installation of the skirting must be completed within 60 days of the placement of the
manufactured home on the pad. No obstruction shall be permitted that impedes the
inspection of plumbing and electrical facilities.
(7) The maximum coverage on individual manufactured home sites for the manufactured
home, any accessory structures, and driveway shall be 50%.
(8) Except for public, community, and utility structures, the maximum height of principal
and accessory structures shall not exceed 20 feet.
(q) Nursing home.
(1) All structures shall be located a minimum of 30 feet from any parcel that is zoned N
and either used for residential use or has an occupied institutional building, including
but not limited to educational (academic) facilities, religious institutions, and
community centers.
(2) At least 12% of the lot area shall be developed as designed outdoor recreation area.
(r) Office less than 2,500 square feet.
(1) Access shall be to a roadway identified in the comprehensive plan as a collector or
arterial, or shall be otherwise located so that access can be provided without
generating significant traffic on local residential streets.
(2) The materials used in and placement of all signs shall be integrated with the building
design and architecture.
(3) The architecture of the building shall be residential in character.
(4) The parking areas shall be set back at least five feet from any parcel that is zoned N.
(s) Park/recreation.
(1) All structures shall be located a minimum of 30 feet from any parcel that is zoned N
and either used for residential or as an institutional building, including but not limited
to educational (academic) facilities, religious institutions, and community centers.
(2) Areas designated for group activities shall be located a minimum of 25 feet from any
parcel that is zoned N and either used for residential or as an institutional building,
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including but not limited to educational (academic) facilities, religious institutions, and
community centers.
(3) Facilities which serve a regional function shall not be permitted.
(t) Police/fire station.
(1) All buildings shall be located a minimum of 30 feet from any parcel that is zoned N
and either used for residential use or has an occupied institutional building, including
but not limited to educational (academic) facilities, religious institutions, and
community centers.
(2) Access shall be to a roadway identified in the comprehensive plan as a collector or
arterial
(u) Public service structure.
(1) All structures shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from any parcel that is zoned N
and either used for residential use or has an occupied institutional building, including
but not limited to educational (academic) facilities, religious institutions, and
community centers.
(2) All service drives shall be paved.
(v) Religious institution.
(1) All buildings shall be located a minimum of 30 feet from any parcel that is zoned N
and used for a dwelling.
(2) An off-street passenger loading area shall be provided to maintain vehicular and
pedestrian safety.
(3) Outdoor recreational and play areas shall be located at least 25 feet from any lot
zoned N and used for a dwelling.
(4) Access shall be to a roadway identified in the comprehensive plan as a collector or
arterial, or shall be otherwise located so that access can be provided without
generating significant traffic on local residential streets.
(w) State-licensed residential facility.
(1) The facility shall serve no more than six persons.
(2) The use shall have a valid state license authorizing the housing service. The license
shall be issued specifically for the property where the residential facility is being
conducted.
Sec. 36-169. Use Specific Standards, Accessory
(a) Accessory dwelling unit.
(1) Accessory dwelling units shall only be permitted on single-dwelling lots.
(2) There shall be no more than one (1) accessory dwelling unit permitted per lot.
(3) Occupancy of the single-family lot, including both the principal dwelling unit and the
accessory dwelling unit, shall be limited to no more than one family and up to two
persons who are boarders/roomers or reside in one of the dwelling units.
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(4) The initial construction of an accessory dwelling unit shall only occur on a property
that is occupied by the property owner as their primary residence.
(5) The accessory dwelling unit shall not be sold independently of the principal
residential dwelling and may not be a separate tax parcel.
(6) Accessory dwelling units that are attached to the principal dwelling unit shall be no
more than 40% of the gross floor area of the single-family dwelling.
(7) Accessory dwelling units that are detached from the principal residential structure
shall comply with the regulations for accessory structures and must comply with the
following additional requirements:
a. Detached accessory dwelling units shall be located a minimum of five feet from
any rear lot line unless the rear lot line is adjacent to an alley, in which case it
may be located five (5) feet from the rear lot line.
b. Detached accessory dwelling units located less than six (6) feet from the
principal dwelling is subject to the same side yard as required for the principal
dwelling. Detached accessory dwelling units located six (6) feet or more from the
principal dwelling shall be located a minimum of five (5) feet from any side
property line.
c. Detached accessory dwelling units shall have a floor area greater than 200
square feet.
d. Balconies and decks above the ground floor shall be located a minimum of 15
feet from a side yard or a rear yard. Rooftop decks for an accessory dwelling unit
shall not be allowed.
(8) Accessory dwellings may not be used for short term rental purposes.
(b) Accessory dwelling unit affiliated with religious institution.
(1) The dwelling units/living quarters shall be on the same property as the Religious
Institution.
(2) The dwelling units/living quarters shall at a minimum have access to on-site facilities
for cooking, sleeping, and bathing.
(3) At least 12% of the lot area shall be developed as a designed outdoor recreation
area.
(4) The persons living/staying on-site must be clergy, employees, or similarly associated
with the Religious Institution.
(5) The residential density of the accessory dwelling units/living quarters shall not
exceed the residential density that would otherwise be allowed on the property, and
in no case shall it exceed 15 persons.
(6) The combined gross floor area of the accessory dwelling units/living quarters shall be
less than the gross building area of the principal building and principal use.
(7) If the dwelling units/living quarters are not within the principal building:
a. The buildings shall be built on a permanent foundation and connected to city
sanitary sewer and water.
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b. The accessory dwelling units/living quarters shall be exempt from the accessory
building size limitations.
c. The accessory building(s) shall be architecturally compatible with the principal
building.
d. The accessory building(s) shall not be taller or otherwise larger in scale than the
principal building.
(8) All required licenses or permits to establish and maintain the dwelling units/living
quarters shall be obtained.
(c) Accessory building.
(1) Accessory buildings located less than six feet from a principal building on the same
lot, measured from the nearest projection of each building, shall be considered part
of the principal building and shall follow principal building standards.
(2) All accessory buildings shall obtain a zoning or building permit prior to installation
and must be anchored in a manner approved by the city.
(d) Accessory buildings shall not be located in a drainage or utility easement without first
obtaining approval of an encroachment agreement
(1) Location.
a. Shall not be located in front of the principal building’s front face.
b. Accessory buildlings located behind the principal building’s rear face shall meet
the following requirements:
1. Accessory buildings shall be located a minimum of two feet from any lot line.
2. Eaves, overhangs, gutters or other extensions from the roof shall be located
a minimum of 16 inches from any property line abutting an alley right-of-way
and two feet from all other property lines.
c. Detached garages when located between the front and rear faces of the principal
building shall meet the following requirements:
(e) It shall meet the same side yards as required for the principal building.
(f) Eaves shall meet the same yard requirements as required for the principal building.
(1) Accessory buildings on through lots shall be subject to the front and side yard
requirements of the principal building if the accessory building is located within 60
feet of the rear lot line.
(2) Size.
a. The total cumulative ground floor area of all accessory buildings on lots improved
with single-unit dwellings shall not exceed the smaller of 800 square feet or 25
percent of the area behind the rear face of the principal building. This provision
shall not prohibit the construction of either a detached garage or a detached
accessory dwelling unit, or a combination thereof, that is no greater than 576
square feet in area provided there are no other accessory buildings. This
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St. Louis Park Zoning Code
exception does not allow more impervious surface than allowed for the principal
use.
b. The total cumulative ground floor area of all accessory buildings on lots improved
with two, three, or four-unit dwellings shall not exceed the smaller of 1200 square
feet or 25 percent of the area behind the rear face of the principal building. This
provision shall not prohibit the construction of either a detached garage or a
detached accessory dwelling unit, or a combination thereof, that is no greater
than 576 square feet in area provided there are no other accessory buildings.
This exception does not allow more impervious surface than allowed for the
principal use.
(3) Height.
a. Shall not exceed 15 feet in height.
b. The maximum height may be increased to 24 feet where the primary exterior
materials of the accessory building match the primary exterior materials of the
principal building and the roof pitch matches a roof pitch of the principal building,
and provided the wall height shall not exceed 9 feet from the building ground
floor to the highest top plate of the exterior non-gable end walls. Dormers are
exempt from the height measurement if the combined width of the dormers is
less than 50% of the side of the building they are located on.
c. The height of all accessory buildings shall be lower than the highest roof line of
the principal building.
(4) Design.
a. All detached garages and other accessory buildings shall be compatible in
design and materials to the principal building on the parcel.
b. No plumbing for kitchen or bathroom facilities (including but not limited to toilets
and showers) is allowed in any detached garage or other accessory building
unless it is determined to be an accessory dwelling unit. Hose bibs and utility
sinks are allowed.
c. Floor drains in garages and other accessory buildings must be connected to
sanitary sewer as approved by the city.
d. Windows, doors, and similar openings may be located in the second story of an
accessory building if the wall or dormer in which it is located faces a lot line that
abuts a public right-of-way or is at least 15 feet from any property that is zoned
residential and used or subdivided for residential use.
e. Accessory buildings used for dwelling purposes shall also comply with the
regulations set forth for accessory dwelling units above.
(5) Garages below grade level. Where the natural grade of a lot at the building line of a
house is eight feet or more above the established curb level, a private garage may
be erected within any yard provided one-half or more of its height is below grade
level and it is located a minimum of ten feet from any lot line adjacent to a street and
five feet from any side lot line.
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(g) Accessory structure.
(1) Shall not be located in a drainage or utility easement without first obtaining approval
of an encroachment agreement.
(2) Accessory structures located behind the principal building’s front face shall be a
minimum of three feet from the lot line if over six feet in height.
(3) Accessory structures that are located in front of the principal building’s front face and
are over four feet in height shall be located:
a. At least 15 feet from the street lot line.
b. At least three feet from internal side lot lines.
c. At least nine feet from all other lot lines abutting a street when there is more than
one street frontage.
(4) Arbors, pergolas, arches, gateways, or similar open structures over purposeful
pedestrian walkways that extend between properties, between front and back yard
areas, or from the public right-of-way to a house or garage may be located up to the
property line as long as:
a. There is no more than one such structure per lot line.
b. The structure is not more than 10 feet in height, 10 feet in width, and three feet in
depth.
(5) All accessory structures shall be no more than 15 feet in height and lower than the
highest roofline of the principal building.
(6) All detached decks shall obtain a zoning or building permit prior to installation and
must be anchored in a manner approved by the city.
(h) Adult day care in a religious institution, community center, or nursing home.
(1) There shall be at least 150 square feet of outdoor sitting and exercise area per
person under care at peak periods.
(i) Boarders or roomers.
(1) Up to two boarders or roomers shall be allowed per resident household provided the
living area for the boarders/roomers is within the principal building and does not
constitute a separate dwelling unit.
(j) Catering.
(1) Allowed only as accessory to community centers, educational (academic) facilities,
country clubs, and religious institutions.
(2) Vehicles used to receive and/or deliver food shall not be stored outside.
(k) Community garden.
(1) Allowed only as accessory to community centers, educational (academic) facilities,
country clubs, and religious institutions.
(l) Family day care facility serving 14 or fewer persons.
107
St. Louis Park Zoning Code
(1) Only one employee who does not live within the dwelling unit is allowed.
(m) Group day care/nursery school in a religious institution, community center, or
educational (academic) institution.
(1) The on-site outdoor activity area shall be enclosed with a fence.
(2) Outdoor activity areas shall be located at least 25 feet from any lot zoned N and
used for a dwelling.
(3) As allowed for by state licensing, city parks may be utilized to meet up to 50 percent
of the required outdoor activity areas with the following conditions:
a. The park must have age-appropriate play equipment.
b. There is a clearly defined and maintained sidewalk or improved trail connecting
the facility to the park.
(4) An off-street passenger loading area shall be provided to maintain vehicular and
pedestrian safety.
(n) Helistop.
(1) Helistops shall be used exclusively in connection with a hospital and is subordinate
to the hospital in area, extent, and purpose.
(2) The helicopter pad must be dust free and screened from view and takeoff and
landings shall not be over residential areas.
(3) Hours of operation shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., excluding emergency
operations.
(o) Home occupation.
(1) See section 36-83.
(p) Living quarters of persons employed for domestic or medical purposes
(1) The living area for the domestic/medical household staff shall be within the principal
building and does not constitute a separate dwelling unit.
(q) Mikvah pool
(1) Shall be accessory to a single-unit dwelling or religious institution.
(2) Shall be allowed within an occupied single-unit dwelling if there are three additional
off-street parking spaces.
(r) Parking ramp.
(1) The height of any parking ramp located within 200 feet of any parcel that is zoned N
and either used for residential use or has an occupied institutional building, including
but not limited to educational (academic) facilities, religious institutions, and
community centers may not penetrate the height of a line commencing at and
perpendicular to said parcel line and extending upward and away from said parcel at
a slope of five horizontal feet for each vertical foot.
(2) The minimum required yard for any parking ramp located within 200 feet of any
parcel that is zoned N and either used for residential use or has an occupied
108
St. Louis Park Zoning Code
institutional building, including but not limited to educational (academic) facilities,
religious institutions, and community centers shall be 50 feet.
(3) The parking ramp shall be screened from view from any abutting property located
within an N district. The screening shall include a six-foot berm where the parking
ramp is above ground.
(4) If the parking ramp is located within 400 feet of any parcel that is zoned N and either
used for residential use or has an occupied institutional building, including but not
limited to educational (academic) facilities, religious institutions, and community
centers, all light sources on the top deck of a parking ramp shall be below the sight
lines drawn from a point one foot above the light source to any point within said
parcel ten feet lower than the maximum structure height of that use at a distance of
400 feet from the wall of the parking ramp nearest to said parcel.
(s) Residential swimming pool, whirlpool, or sport court.
(1) Shall only be permitted behind the front face of the principal building.
(2) Shall be a minimum of five feet from the rear lot line.
(3) Shall meet the same side yard setbacks as required for the principal building.
(4) A six -foot privacy fence shall be required to screen the portion of the swimming pool,
whirlpool, or sport court located within 25 feet of the rear lot line.
(5) Mechanical equipment shall meet the same setback required for the swimming pool
or whirlpool unless it is contained within an accessory building.
(6) Residential swimming pools shall be in conformance with section 36-73 and section
12-3 of the City Ordinance;
(7) A pool house is an accessory building and shall be in conformance with the following
conditions:
a. Property must have an in-ground swimming pool that is larger in area than the
pool house building.
b. The pool house cannot exceed 400 square feet in area and one story in height.
c. The building design and materials shall be consistent with the principal building.
d. The building may include a bathroom but shall not include kitchen facilities.
e. The building cannot be designed or used as a dwelling unit or for any business
use.
(t) Solar energy system.
(1) Solar energy systems shall be in conformance with the standards for solar energy
systems in Article V, Special Provisions.
(u) Student housing.
(1) Student housing may be allowed as an accessory use to educational facilities within
the N-2 and N-3 districts with the following conditions:
109
St. Louis Park Zoning Code
a. No more than 50 students may live on-site in the N-2 district, while no more than
200 students may live on-site in the N-3 district.
b. An outdoor recreation area shall be provided that contains at least 40 square feet
per student living at the educational (academic) facility.
c. The housing must be supervised 24 hours a day, seven days a week by an adult
living on-site.
d. The students living on-site must be actively enrolled in the educational
(academic) facility as full-time students.
e. The student housing must be located on the same parcel as the educational
(academic) facility.
(v) Supportive commercial use.
(1) Shall not exceed ten percent of the gross floor area of the development.
(w) Wind energy conversion system (WECS).
(1) WECSs shall be in conformance with the standards for WECS in Article V, Special
Provisions.
Sec. 36-170. – 36-190. Reserved
110
Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
Existing zoning map
The map below shows the current zoning map.
111
Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
Proposed zoning map
The map below shows proposed changes to the residential districts of the zoning map.
112
Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
Comprehensive plan amendment:
Text amendments
Changes are being made to three of the city’s future land use designations:
Land Use Designation Pre-CPA Density Range CPA Density Range
RL – Low Density Residential 3 to 10 units/acre 3 to 18 units/acre
RM – Medium Density Residential 6 to 30 units/acre 18 to 30 units/acre
RH – High Density Residential 30 to 75 units/acre 30 to 75 units/acre*
*up to 125 units/acre through PUD or zoning density bonuses
RL - Low Density Residential
The Low Density Residential designation is intended for residential neighborhoods primarily
consisting of single-family homes house-scale housing types. It allows single-unit family
detached housing and limited semi-detached housing similarly-size housing types, such as
duplexes, three-unit dwellings, courtyard cottages/bungalows and accessory housing units. This
designation allows net residential densities from three (3) to ten (10) 18 units per acre.
RM - Medium Density Residential
The Medium Density Residential designation is intended for residential areas adjacent to
commercial centers, corridors, and nodes. It allows net residential densities from six (6) 18
to 30 units per acre. This designation allows a variety of housing types that are compatible in
scale to single-family homes include house-scale and low-rise scale housing types, including
single-unit family detached, duplexes, townhomes, and small two- or three-story apartment
buildings.
RH - High Density Residential
The High Density Residential land use designation is intended for higher density, compact urban
residential areas with convenient access to major transportation corridors, open spaces, and
commercial centers. This designation allows for a residential density range of 30 to 75 units per
acre. There may be opportunities for higher densities, up to 125 units per acre, through the use
of planned unit developments (PUDs) or zoning density bonuses. The appropriate building
height will vary by development and depend upon the characteristics of the development and
its surroundings.
113
Regular meeting of January 8, 2025 (Item No. 3a.)
Title: Comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment – residential districts
Amend the table showing the acreage of each of the land use designations. The changes are as
follows:
Land Use Designation
Current
Acres*
Proposed
Acres*
Difference
(acres)
RL - Low Density Residential 2,484.23 2,419.33 -64.90
RM - Medium Density Residential 381.36 445.36 64.00
RH - High Density Residential 219.46 214.56 -4.90
MX - Mixed Use 52.81 52.81 0.00
TOD - Transit Oriented Development 82.62 82.62 0.00
COM - Commercial 254.26 256.56 2.30
OFC - Office 212.16 212.26 0.10
BP - Business Park 103.65 103.65 0.00
IND - Industrial 199.64 187.44 -12.20
CIV - Civic 204.38 205.38 1.00
PRK - Park and Open Space 561.79 578.19 16.40
ROW - Right of Way 1,502.14 1,500.34 -1.80
RRR - Railroad 150.80 150.80 0.00
Water/Wetlands 499.44 499.44 0.00
Total 6,908.74 6,908.74 0.00
*All acreages are net
114
Comments received at December 19, 2024 open house
Comment:
This is the single worst policy proposal I have ever seen the city of SLP do in my 30 plus years of
residence! There was insufficient notice of this widespread change that will fundamentally change our
city forever. I am deeply disappointed this is being pushed through without adequate notice or thought.
We love SLP but it is policies like this that is pushing people out/ You have the ability, to review
proposed changes to properties and setbacks. Leave that alone and continue to review on a parcel-by –
parcel basis.
Comment: Mark Fredrickson
This proposal fundamentally changes the neighborhoods where I have owned my largest asset for 34
years. On very little notice, w/o a clear, compelling reason for a change, to serve the people who might
move here, not people who do live here Leave R1 alone, preserve neighborhoods.
Comment: JoAnn Schutz
I’m just interested in what the city is doing regarding housing and rezoning to provide equal access.
Comment: Jeli Rasmussen
I think SLP’s decision to re-zone/define is great. MN and the nation are experiencing a housing shortage
and allowing for increased density is a great solution. I look forward to seeing it unfold and
administrative processes re-designed to support more streamlined applications.
Comment: Joe Dalager
Not in agreement with N-1. Would create a drastic change to single-family houses neighborhoods.
People move to these neighborhoods specifically for single family type housing. Concerns- upkeep by
landlords, developers driving cases forcing out single family living. Should keep St. Louis Park as good
place to live and not becoming Minneapolis.
Comment: Marc Cardon
I’ve been all for this for many. Many months now. Let’s avoid further delays and postponements. BRAVO
Comment: Barb Patterson
115
Great, great! I'm pleased about increased options for N1.
Commnet: Mark V Anderson
I am very much of the opinion that the fewer restrictions the better. So you are going in the right
direction but have far to go. The more complex zoning is, the worse free markets will work, which
causes housing shortages and misallocations.
Commnet: L Mohr
Sucks. There is a reason I don’t live in Minneapolis.
Comment: Ryan Griffin
We should use a population target (eg. 60,000 people) to drive our comprehensive zoning plan. We’ll
need more mixed use and higher rise buildings to achieve population growth that we know is coming.
Meanwhile, we will lose trees and green spaces and wild spaces by trying to increase low density
development. Focus on High density!
Comment: Ryan Griffin
Why do we still let parking minimums keep small businesses from opening? We need parking
Maximums, not Minimums. We need to be building for the future we want.
Example: Park Nicollet is taking over the commercial hub at Excelsior and HWY 1000. Bulldozing
businesses to create parking lots should not be accepted here!
Comment: Erik Michaelson
I love the plan! The only tweak I’d suggest is to allow split 20 ft wide lots in N1 regions. This would allow
more owner-occupied housing at higher densities which would encourage more young families hoping
to own not rent, to invest in the neighborhoods.
Comment: Ryan Griffin
I'm Concerned that staff and council are promoting low-density development in wild spaces such as the
one between Minnikhada Vista Park and Webber Park (Edina). This is one of a few untouched, un-
manufactured natural spaces in SLP. We need to classify this land as park or “Wild” and ensure it’s
protected. Let's put high density housing in transit corridors instead.
Comment: Cheryl Scheer
116
Hearing from city official regarding housing “design” vs. Zoning compliance was educational (i.e. it’s w/in
zoning rules to build a hideous house). Appreciate being able to ask questions and share concerns.
Comment: Richard Lang
What design criteria will be applied for building a large multi-family home in the new zoning areas?
Example: House on MTKA Blvd, next to Louisiana – on SLP’s Main Street.
Comment: Jonathan Shaver
- Who is responsible for shared relationship in twin/triplex homes? (paint/care/upkeep)
- Will there be a limit of the number of knockdowns allowed per square acre?
- How much parking required [per duplex/triplex 4-plex?
- Do we need to update landlord requirements because this will result in more rentals?
117
Comments received by email following the December 19, 2024 open house.
Bryce Purdy:
Hi Gary,
Thanks for taking the time to get back to me. Here are my questions below. I know it's "after
the fact" regarding the time for comment, but I'd like to learn the answers anyway as a ~14
year resident who really enjoys life in St Louis Park. If you or staff have time to direct me to
answers, or simply comment yourselves, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
1. Does the city use a calculation for type, amount, and access to, natural space for
neighborhoods?
2. If so, how was it determined and how do we compare to other similar cities in MN?
Bryce
________________________________
Louise Winter
I am happy to see the city of St. Louis Park proposing changes that will increase the potential for
increased housing in the city. Similar to other states across the nation, Minnesota is suffering
from a housing shortage of 100,000+ homes/rentals. We know that when people
are in affordable stable housing in the communities they want to live, that working families can
thrive. While our city can’t solve the larger problem, the proposed zoning changes are a step in
the right direction. All people want is a rental that is affordable and stable in a decent
neighborhood. I am supportive of the new zoning that allows for increased density of
housing. I also encourage the city to provide additional aspects, like density
bonuses to builders who commit to a 20% of units being restricted to 50% AMI or 40% being
restricted at or below 60% AMI or housing that is zero energy ready. I also want to urge the city
to follow these zoning changes with an expedient revision of city review processes to ensure
they are streamlined to allow for speedier development.
_________________________
118
Dan DeBord
Hi Aaron,
I wanted you to see what I face most mornings leaving my driveway around 4am. This is a night
view but those cars are in place in the morning. As I said earlier, I have to back into my
neighbor’s driveway and then negotiate a tight turn to get on the street. The narrowed street
from your project is just too tight! And not what best serves the residents!
Heads up I am going to use this example of the city taking actions against the interests of
residents in my opposition to the new proposed zoning laws. Both instances are just so
discouraging Aaron.
___________________________________
119
Juli Rasmussen
Dear Mr. Morrison,
I am happy to see the city of St. Louis Park proposing changes that will increase the potential for
increased housing in the city. Similar to other states across the nation, Minnesota is suffering
from a housing shortage of 100,000+ homes/rentals. We know that when people are in
affordable stable housing in the communities they want to live, that working families can thrive.
While our city can’t solve the larger problem, the proposed zoning changes are a step in the
right direction. As someone who has an adult daughter and her family living with us, I can attest
personally to the need for more affordable housing. Our daughter and family have struggled to
find affordable and stable housing for several years. As you can imagine, this takes a toll on
them as working adults and on our grandson. All they want is a rental that is
affordable and stable in a decent neighborhood. I am supportive of the new zoning that allows
for increased density of housing. I also encourage the city to provide additional
aspects, like density bonuses to builders who commit to a 20% of units being restricted to 50%
AMI or 40% being restricted at or below 60% AMI or housing that is zero energy ready. I also
want to urge the city to follow these zoning changes with an expedient revision of city review
processes to ensure they are streamlined to allow for speedier development.
________________________
Liesl Wiborg
I am supportive of the new zoning that allows for increased density of
housing. I also encourage the city to provide additional aspects, like density
bonuses to builders who commit to a 20% of units being restricted to 50%
AMI or 40% being restricted at or below 60% AMI or housing that is zero
energy ready. I also want to urge the city to follow these zoning changes
with an expedient revision of city review processes to ensure they are
streamlined to allow for speedier development.
I love living in SLP!
Thank you for making this a wonderful city!
______________________
John Anderson
I am supportive of the new zoning that allows for increased density of housing. I also
encourage the city to provide additional aspects, like density bonuses to builders who commit
to a 20% of units being restricted to 50% AMI or 40% being restricted at or below 60% AMI or
housing that is zero energy ready. I also want to urge the city to follow these zoning changes
with an expedient revision of city review processes to ensure they are streamlined to allow for
speedier development."
120
1
Responses to the Proposed Zoning Code Update
by Bill Weber
3824 Huntington Avenue (the Minikahda Vista neighborhood)
bill@weberplanning.com
612-616-7768
July 2024
Housing Issues
I agree that the zoning code should be revised to better accommodate contemporary
small-lot singles and 2-, 3- and 4-unit buildings.
However -- and this is essential – in its zeal, the City should not allow new housing to
harm the value of solid residential neighborhoods or be contrary to creating a city that is
walkable and attractive. Simply put: do not allow garage doors to dominate the
streetscape of any neighborhood, which is a major threat as housing density and costs
both increase. Most of St. Louis Park benefits from being built in an era when parking
multiple large vehicles was not a primary concern.
The very large supply of post-War Cape Cod style housing does provide some degree of
“naturally occurring affordable housing” and “starter houses” in the range of 6 to 9 units
per net acre, which most city planners would consider mid-density housing. Blocks with
such housing should be protected and not all seen as redevelopment targets.
I agree that the current zoning code is lengthy, inconsistent and difficult to use.
Proposed Zoning Map
Planning statement: “The City’s goal is to expand housing options in all neighborhoods
with one- to three-unit dwellings allowed in the N-1 District.”
• That statement worries me greatly as nearly the entire Minikahda Vista neighborhood
is proposed to be zoned N-1. I am strongly opposed to allowing two-or three-unit
buildings on blocks in my neighborhood that have long been dedicated to detached
housing with this exception:
o On the perimeter of the neighborhood along arterial roads such as Excelsior
Boulevard or France Avenue.
So, I ask that the planning statement be refined by distinguishing between blocks that
are solidly detached housing and locations in or around the neighborhood that are
characterized by the descriptors used for the N-2 district. The map of proposed
zoning does this by locating the N-2 district along Excelsior Boulevard and France
Avenue that but the planning statement leaves open the possibility for housing in the
interior that is incompatible with existing development.
121
2
Dropping a two-or three-unit building into the middle one of these blocks would do
substantial and irreparable harm to housing value. As the Minikahda Vista
neighborhood does not have alleys, the result would be a row of garages facing the
street, which would be incompatible with the appearance of the rest of the block. The
design guidelines would allow garages for three- or four-unit buildings to be flush
with the façade. In locations with alleys, the effect would be less but not
inconsequential. Other effects include trash handling, on-street parking and general
noise.
The vast majority of the Minikahda Vista neighborhood as well as many other
neighborhoods in the city are well-maintained and have an unmistakable single-
family physical character. Residents there generally love their locations and have
made substantial investments in their houses. Speaking for my wife and I, had we
wanted to live in a neighborhood that was not solidly detached houses, we would
have stayed in Minneapolis. The proposed change is not what we bought into or
what we expect for the future. So, unless the proposal is refined, the City would
betray our trust.
The illustrations of two- or three-unit housing provided on the zoning update Website
are highly misleading as they all show front doors and porches along the street. That
would only occur on blocks with alleys at best. I ask that the City be more honest
about the potential visual effect of the mid-density proposals. In addition, several of
the photos illustrate housing styles that are 50 to 100 years old and are simply not
built anymore; please use contemporary examples.
Planning statement: “The N-1 District is intended for mostly house-scale buildings
located among neighborhood streets, along portions of multi-modal streets, and farther
from commercial and employment centers than other districts.”
•The proposed definition of house-scale buildings includes two- and three-unit
buildings. Therefore, my preceding comments apply to this planning statement.
•I favor the general descriptions of the N-2, N-3 and N-4 districts.
•I like the slider on the proposed zoning map that allows users to compare the existing
and proposed zoning.
N-1 District Site and Building Standards
I like these features:
•Front yard minimum setback of 25 feet.
•Side corner yard setback minimum of 15 feet.
•The lot coverage maximums.
•All of the dimensional minimum for lots with alleys.
I hope you recognize that a 50-foot wide lot for a duplex without an alley will prohibit
two-car garages given the 50 percent façade width maximum and the minimum side yard
setbacks; this is a good provision.
122
Comments from Bill Weber continued
3
I am not overly concerned about the provisions for singles and doubles that allow a
minimum lot width of 50 feet and minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet because the
proposal includes requirements for recessing the garage and because I don’t think that
any current single-family lots that are larger will be consolidated and resubdivided that
small. Density is much less a concern when the garage is handled properly. Please see
my comments under Housing Design Standards.
Adjust the maximum size and percentage of back yard coverage for detached garages on
these new, small lots.
I dislike:
•Five foot side yard setbacks and 10 feet between buildings. This feels a little tight
and I don’t think it would even meet the Building Code if measured between the
eaves. Please stay with 7.5 feet.
Housing Design Standards
Singles and Doubles
I like these points:
•If a lot is adjacent to an alley, driveway access shall be off the alley.
•If a lot is not adjacent to an alley but is a corner lot or a through lot, then driveway
access shall be off the side street with the lower functional class as defined by the
comprehensive plan.
•If a lot is not adjacent to an alley nor a corner lot, driveway access can be from the
street.
•The front façade of an attached garage must be a minimum of 5 feet behind the
principal building’s front façade. [ Thank you! This is important to me. ]
•A garage with more than two parking stalls shall have the front façade of the third
stall set back an additional 3 feet.
•The maximum garage width facing a public right-of-way shall not exceed 50% of the
principal building’s front facade. [ This is also very helpful. ]
•Please add: The primary entrance door shall be on the building façade that faces the
street.
•Please add: Whenever both sides of a block are redeveloped, even if not full-length,
an alley shall be installed and used for driveway access.
Three or Four-Unit Building
I like these points:
•If a lot is adjacent to an alley, driveway access shall be off the alley.
•If a lot is not adjacent to an alley but is a corner lot or a through lot, then driveway
access shall be off the side street with the lower functional class as defined by the
comprehensive plan.
•If a lot is not adjacent to an alley nor a corner lot, driveway access can be from the
street.
•On the public street-facing facade, no garage shall occupy more than 50 percent of
any street-facing individual unit facade.
123
Comments from Bill Weber continued
4
•Buildings shall be designed with significant variation in the façade every 60 feet and
minor variations at least every 20 feet. Variation can be achieved with articulation,
texture, materials, doors, windows, roof dormers, gables, and covered porches. Any
architectural projection or recess used to accomplish this change shall be a minimum
of six feet wide and two feet deep.
•Please add: The primary entrance door shall be on the building façade that faces the
street.
•Please add: Whenever both sides of a block are redeveloped, even if not full-length,
an alley shall be installed and used for driveway access.
Detached Garages
Please address changes to the size of detached garages. Please refer to my suggestions on
this topic, which are being submitted separately, and which were also submitted in 2023.
I presume that you will adjust maximum garage sizes and rear yard percent coverage for
the new, smaller lots.
Schedule
The adoption process, meaning votes by the Planning Commission and City Council, is
proposed to occur in September and October. Given that members of the public
apparently have not been allowed to address the Planning Commission at its many study
sessions, that the “open house” meetings just occurred in June and comments are
continuing to be submitted in July, that leaves only August (vacation time) to complete a
document that will probably be 200 pages in length.
So, can meaningful changes be made to the draft in that time?
When will the public have a chance to read and comment meaningfully on the text of the
code?
124
Comments from Bill Weber continued
Proposed Zoning Amendment Regarding Maximum Garage Dimensions in the R-2 Zoning District
Width Depth Area Height of
Detached Garage 1
Exterior
Wall
Height 2
Front Setback 3 Side
Yard
Setback
Rear Yard
Setback
Current
Section
36-162
(2), (3)
Silent Silent The smaller of
800 square
feet or 25
percent of the
back yard
15 feet.
May be increased to 24 feet
where the primary exterior
materials of the accessory building
match the primary exterior
materials of the principal building
and the roof pitch matches the
primary roof pitch of the principal
building; the wall height shall not
exceed 9 feet from the floor to the
top plate.
Silent Same as the house façade
(25 feet)
2 feet
measured
to the
eave
2 feet
measured to
the eave
Proposed
for
parcels
greater
than
6,500
square
feet
Detached:
24
Attached:
20
Detached:
24
Attached:
34
Detached:
576 sf
Attached:
476
Detached:
16 feet.
No exceptions
Attached:
Silent
9 feet Attached:
If porch4 present:
Same as house façade
If no porch:
4 feet behind the primary façade
of the house
Third stall must be additional 2
foot setback
Attached garage must have
windows in the door
4 feet
to wall
4 feet
to wall
1 Measured to the roof peak
2 Measured from the concrete slab to the top plate.
3 Measured to the garage door.
4 Porch must be open and covered, extend along 10 feet of the front façade and be at least 6 feet deep.
Other Dimensional Standards in the R-2 Zoning District
Minimum
Lot Width
Minimum
Lot Depth
Minimum
Lot Area
Maximum
Building
Height
Maximum
Floor-to-Area
Ratio
Minimum
Front Yard
Setback of
House
Minimum
Side Yard
Setback of
House
Minimum
Rear Yard
Depth to
House
60 120 7,200 30 feet 0.35 25 7 and 5 5 25
Both side yard setbacks may be 5 feet if there is a detached garage accessible from the street
125
Comments from Bill Weber continued
5