The purpose of the B-4 district is to provide for the regulation of high intensity commercial uses located within the historic downtown of the city and other intense commercial areas of the city. (Ord. 1988-12, 12-19-1988; amd. Ord. 2003-34, 11-3-2003)

The following are permitted uses in a B-4 district, subject to additional requirements set forth in this ordinance:

   Adult uses - principal, as regulated by chapter 2800 of this ordinance.

   Animal veterinary clinics (with no overnight care), as regulated by chapter 2300 of this ordinance.

   Bakery goods and baking of goods for retail sales on the premises.

   Essential services, as regulated by chapter 2100 of this ordinance.

   Government and public related utility buildings and structures.

   Hospitality business.

   Liquor sales, off sale.

   Office business - clinic.

   Office business - general.

   Personal wireless service antennas located upon a public structure, including necessary equipment buildings, as regulated by chapter 2500 of this ordinance.

   Personnel service.

   Public parking garages.

   Recreational business.

   Restaurant - general.

   Retail business.

   Service business - off site.

   Service business - on site.

   Tattoo parlors/body piercing.

   Thrift stores/secondhand dealers having a building floor area of two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet or less with all receipt of goods, processing of goods and disposal of the unusable goods occurring with the principal building or tenant bay. Outdoor receipt of secondhand goods is prohibited.

(Ord. 1988-12, 12-19-1988; amd. Ord. 2003-34, 11-3-2003; Ord. 2007-05, 5-21-2007; Ord. 2021-10, 6-21-2021; Ord. 2024-08, 12-2-2024; Ord. 2025-08, 10-6-2025)

The following are permitted accessory uses in a B-4 district, subject to additional requirements set forth in this ordinance:

Accessory and secondary use antennas with a single support structure not to exceed seventy feet (70') including radio and television receiving antennas, single satellite dish TVROs two meters (2m) or less in diameter, shortwave radio dispatching antennas, or those necessary for the operation of electronic equipment including radio receivers, federal licensed amateur radio stations and television receivers, as regulated by chapter 2500 of this ordinance.

Adult uses - accessory, as regulated by chapter 2800 of this ordinance.

Commercial or business buildings and structures for a use accessory to the principal use, provided such use shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the gross floor space of the principal use.

Off street loading, as regulated by chapter 1300 of this ordinance.

Off street parking, as regulated by chapter 1200 of this ordinance, but not including semitrailer trucks.

Open or outdoor display of merchandise for sale or rent as an accessory use; provided, that:

   A.   Outdoor display of merchandise connected with the principal use is limited to ten percent (10%) of the gross floor area of the principal building or tenant bay, as applicable.

   B.   The use does not take up parking space as required for conformity to this ordinance.

   C.   The outdoor display area is surfaced with bitumen.

   D.   The applicant demonstrates that pedestrian circulation is not disrupted as a result of the outdoor display area by providing the following:

      1.   Outdoor display area shall be segregated from through pedestrian circulation by means of temporary fencing, bollards, ropes, plantings, or other methods.

      2.   Minimum clear passage zone for pedestrians at the perimeter of the outdoor display area shall be at least five feet (5') without interference from parked motor vehicles, bollards, trees, tree gates, curbs, stairways, trash receptacles, streetlights, parking meters, or the like.

(Ord. 1988-12, 12-19-1988; amd. Ord. 2003-34, 11-3-2003)

The following are conditional uses in a B-4 district, subject to additional requirements set forth in this ordinance: (Requires a conditional use permit as regulated by chapter 400 of this ordinance.)

Automobile repair - major; provided, that:

   A.   The site consists of a minimum lot area of twenty thousand (20,000) square feet and minimum lot width of one hundred fifty feet (150').

   B.   Landscaping, screening, and buffer yards not less than twenty feet (20') in width shall be provided at the boundaries abutting an R district in compliance with section 1000.7 of this ordinance.

   C.   Parking or automobile storage space shall be screened from view of abutting rights of way or properties in compliance with section 1000.7 of this ordinance.

   D.   Regardless of whether the dispensing, sale or offering for sale of motor fuels and/or oil is incidental to the conduct of the use or business, the standards and requirements imposed by this chapter for motor fuel stations shall apply. These standards and requirements are, however, in addition to other requirements that are imposed for other uses of the property.

   E.   Provisions are made to control and reduce noise consistent with Minnesota pollution control standards.

   F.   All exterior building materials and construction including those of accessory structures must be in conformance with section 4500.8 of this chapter.

   G.   All painting must be conducted in an approved paint booth. All paint booths and all other activities of the operation shall thoroughly control the emission of fumes, dust or other particulate matter so that the use shall be in compliance with the Minnesota pollution control standards, Minnesota regulation APC 1-15, as amended.

   H.   The emission of odor by a use shall be in compliance with and regulated by the Minnesota pollution control standards, Minnesota regulation APC, as amended.

   I.   All flammable materials, including liquids and rags, shall conform with the applicable provisions of the city fire code 1 .

Automobile repair - minor; provided, that:

   A.   The site consists of a minimum lot area of twenty thousand (20,000) square feet and minimum lot width of one hundred fifty feet (150').

   B.   Landscaping, screening, and buffer yards not less than twenty feet (20') in width shall be provided at the boundaries abutting an R district in compliance with section 1000.7 of this ordinance.

   C.   Parking or automobile storage space shall be screened from view of abutting rights of way or properties in compliance with section 1000.7 of this ordinance.

   D.   Regardless of whether the dispensing, sale or offering for sale of motor fuels and/or oil is incidental to the conduct of the use or business, the standards and requirements imposed by this chapter for motor fuel stations shall apply. These standards and requirements are, however, in addition to other requirements that are imposed for other uses of the property.

   E.   Provisions are made to control and reduce noise consistent with Minnesota pollution control standards.

   F.   All exterior building materials and construction, including accessory structures, must be in conformance with section 4500.8 of this chapter.

Breweries with taprooms/brewpubs. Breweries are subject to the licensing provisions of title 4, chapter 1 of the city code, and the performance standards for such uses provided in chapter 2900 of this ordinance.

Buildings combining residential and nonresidential uses allowed in this district; provided, that:

   A.   Residential and nonresidential uses shall not be contained on the same floor.

   B.   The residential and nonresidential uses shall not conflict in any manner.

Car washes (drive-through, mechanical, and self-service); provided, that:

   A.   The car wash building shall meet the architectural standards of section 4500.8 of this chapter.

   B.   Car wash stacking space shall be constructed to accommodate the number of vehicles that may be washed in a thirty (30) minute period.

   C.   Provisions shall be made to control and reduce noise.

Commercial and public radio and television transmitting antennas and public utility microwave antennas, as regulated by chapter 2500 of this ordinance.

Commercial, private and public satellite dish transmitting or receiving antennas in excess of two meters (2m) or six feet seven inches (6'7") in diameter, as regulated by chapter 2500 of this ordinance.

Daycare facilities, as regulated by chapter 1700 of this ordinance.

Drive-through service lanes. A drive-through service lane accessory to any permitted or conditionally permitted business or use shall be allowed only if the following additional criteria are satisfied:

   A.   Not less than one hundred twenty feet (120') of segregated automobile stacking must be provided for the single service lane. Where multiple service lanes are provided, the minimum automobile stacking may be reduced to sixty feet (60') per lane.

   B.   The stacking lane and its access must be designed to control traffic in a manner to protect the buildings and will not interfere with on site traffic circulation or access to required parking spaces.

   C.   No part of the public street or boulevard may be used for stacking of automobiles.

   D.   The stacking lane, order board intercom, and window placement shall be designed and located in such a manner as to minimize glare to adjacent premises, particularly residential premises, and to maximize maneuverability of vehicles on the site.

   E.   The drive-through lanes shall be screened from view of adjoining residential zoning districts and public street rights of way.

   F.   Hours of operation shall be limited as necessary to minimize the effect of nuisance factors such as traffic, noise, and glare.

   G.   A lighting and photometric plan will be required that illustrates that drive-through service lane lighting shall comply with section 1000.10 of this ordinance.

Motor fuel station; provided, that:

   A.   The site consists of a minimum lot area of twenty thousand (20,000) square feet and minimum lot width of one hundred fifty feet (150').

   B.   Adequate space shall be provided to access fuel pumps and allow maneuverability around fuel pumps.

   C.   Underground fuel storage tanks are to be positioned to allow adequate access by motor fuel transports and unloading operations that do not conflict with circulation, access or other activities.

   D.   Landscaping, screening, and buffer yards not less than ten feet (10') in width shall be provided at the boundaries abutting an R district in compliance with section 1000.7 of this ordinance.

   E.   Parking or gas pump queuing area shall be screened from view of abutting R districts in compliance with section 1000.7 of this ordinance.

   F.   Provisions are made to control and reduce noise consistent with Minnesota pollution control standards.

   G.   The operation shall be responsible for daily litter control on the site. Trash receptacles shall be provided at a convenient location on site to facilitate litter control.

   H.   Wherever fuel pumps are to be installed, pump islands shall be installed.

      1.   Pump islands shall be elevated six inches (6") above the traveled surface of the site.

      2.   All pump islands shall be at least thirty feet (30') back from any property line.

      3.   The outer edge of any canopy shall be set back at least twenty feet (20') from any property lines.

      4.   The canopy shall not exceed eighteen feet (18') in height and must provide a minimum of fourteen feet (14') of clearance to accommodate a semitrailer truck passing underneath.

      5.   The canopy fascia shall not exceed three feet (3') in vertical height.

      6.   Canopy lighting shall consist of canister spotlights recessed into the canopy. No portion of the light source or fixture may extend below the bottom face of the canopy.

Outdoor dining facilities; provided, that:

   A.   The applicant shall be required to submit a site plan and other pertinent information demonstrating the number, location and type of all tables, refuse receptacles, and wait stations.

   B.   Access to the dining area shall be provided only via the principal building if the dining area is a full service restaurant or tavern, including table waiting service. All exit gates shall be marked "Exit Only" and shall meet all building code requirements.

   C.   The size of the dining area is restricted to seventy five percent (75%) of the gross area of the current building, and shall maintain the lot requirements of the district.

   D.   The dining area is screened from view from adjacent residential uses.

   E.   All lighting shall be hooded at ninety degrees (90°) and directed away from adjacent properties. No luminaries shall extend beyond the ninety degree (90°) cutoff.

   F.   No outdoor dining shall be allowed on the public sidewalk.

   G.   The dining area is surfaced with concrete bituminous or decorative pavers or may consist of a deck with wood or other flooring material that provides a clean, attractive, and functional surface.

   H.   A minimum width of thirty six inches (36") shall be provided within aisles of the outdoor dining area.

   I.   Off street parking shall be adequate for both indoor and outdoor seating areas.

   J.   Refuse containers are provided for self-service outdoor dining areas. Such containers shall be placed in a manner which does not disrupt pedestrian circulation, and must be designed to prevent spillage and blowing litter.

   K.   Property owners shall pick up litter within one hundred feet (100') of the patio area.

   L.   Live outdoor music performance shall meet the requirements of section 5-5-3 of the city code.

   M.   Electronically amplified outdoor music, intercom, audio speakers, or other such noise generating devices may be allowed in the outdoor dining area, provided the lot on which the outdoor dining area is located doesn’t abut a residential use or zoning district. The playing of outdoor music shall not become a nuisance as defined by Title 5, Chapter 1 of the Albertville City Code.

   N.   No outdoor bar, cooking facility, food preparation or holding area shall be established.

   O.   The city council may limit the hours of operation.

Overhead transmission and substation lines in excess of thirty three (33) kilovolts, as regulated by chapter 2100 of this ordinance.

Personal wireless service towers and antennas not located on a public structure, as regulated by chapter 2500 of this ordinance.

Transmission pipelines (i.e., pipelines not required for local distributing network), as regulated by chapter 2100 of this ordinance.

Wind energy conversion systems, as regulated by chapter 2400 of this ordinance.

(Ord. 1988-12, 12-19-1988; amd. Ord. 2003-34, 11-3-2003; 2005 Code; Ord. 2007-10, 7-2-2007; Ord. 2007-12, 10-1-2007; Ord. 2014-08, 10-20-2014; Ord. 2022-04, 3-7-2022; Ord. 2025-02, 5-5-2025)

The following are interim uses in a B-4 district, subject to additional requirements set forth in this code.

   Temporary outdoor seasonal sales as regulated by section 1000.22 of this code.

(Ord. 2008-006, 8-4-2008; amd. Ord. 2021-10, 6-21-2021; Ord. 2025-08, 10-6-2025)

The following minimum requirements shall be observed in a B-4 district, subject to additional requirements, exceptions and modifications set forth in this ordinance:

   A.   Lot area: None.

   B.   Lot width: None.

   C.   Setbacks:

      1.   Front yard: None.

      2.   Side yard: Twenty feet (20') abutting an R district.

      3.   Rear yard: Twenty feet (20').

   D.   Maximum lot coverage: Hard surface, including buildings, eighty five percent (85%) of the lot area. (Ord. 1988-12, 12-19-1988; amd. Ord. 2003-34, 11-3-2003)

   A.   Principal building/structure: Thirty five feet (35').

   B.   Accessory building/structure: As regulated by section 1000.4 of this ordinance. (Ord. 1988-12, 12-19-1988; amd. Ord. 2003-34, 11-3-2003)

In the B-4 zoning district, fifty percent (50%) of all exterior wall finishes must be constructed of materials containing only brick, dimension stone, glass, stucco and its replicas, woods, rock faced block, or aggregate precast concrete panels. In the B-4 zoning district, any exposed metal or fiberglass finish on all buildings shall be limited to no more than fifty percent (50%) of the total solid surface of all walls. For building walls which face public rights of way or abut residential uses, an exposed metal or fiberglass finish shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the wall area. Any metal finish utilized in the building shall be a minimum of 26-gauge steel. All sides of the principal and accessory structures are to have essentially the same or coordinated, harmonious exterior finish materials and treatment. (Ord. 1988-12, 12-19-1988; amd. Ord. 2003-34, 11-3-2003)

AL849   Zoning Ordinance - Appendix A   App A-4501