This section identifies yard, lot area, building size, and building type and height requirements in each zoning district.

Subd. 1.

The building height limits established in each zoning district shall not apply to the following list of items, except that no such structural element may exceed 50 feet in total height or exceed the maximum allowable height of the building by more than ten feet, whichever is greater, except by conditional use permit.

(a)

Antennas installed on an existing structure.

(b)

Belfries.

(c)

Chimneys or flues.

(d)

Church spires.

(e)

Cooling towers.

(f)

Cupolas and domes which do not contain usable space.

(g)

Elevator penthouses.

(h)

Flag poles.

(i)

Parapet walls.

(j)

Necessary mechanical and electrical appurtenances.

(k)

Roof-mounted solar energy systems, pursuant to the additional height regulations in Section 21174.03 of this Chapter.

(l)

Storage tanks appurtenant and attached or adjacent to the principal use that are located within a side or rear yard.

Subd. 2.

Height limitations for antenna support structures in the industrial districts, as set forth in Section 21175 of this Chapter, may be increased by conditional use permit.

Subd. 3.

Modifications to the topography of a lot may not be undertaken as a means of achieving increased building height, unless approved by the Zoning Administrator.

Subd. 4.

In the case of any proposal to construct or alter a structure which will exceed a height of 200 feet above ground level of the site, or any proposal to construct or alter a structure to a height of greater than an imaginary surface extending upward and outward at a slope of 100:1 from the nearest point of the nearest runway of a public airport, the applicant shall notify the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation in writing of the plans at least 30 days in advance of making applicable permit requests to the City. The applicant shall provide the Zoning Administrator with any comments received from the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation as part of the required applicable permit request. This local reporting is in addition to any federal permitting and review processing which may be simultaneously required.

(Amended by Ord. No. 2008-09, 03/25/08; Ord. No. 2009-07, 05/12/09; Ord. No. 2013-11, 04/23/13; Ord. No. 2024-22, § 7, 9/24/2024; Ord. No. 2025-02, §§ 10, 11, 3/25/2025)

Subd. 1.

General Provisions.

(a)

Except in association with farming activities, no galvanized or unfinished steel or unfinished aluminum buildings (walls or roofs), except those specifically intended to have a corrosive designed finish such as corten steel shall be permitted in any zoning district.

(b)

Buildings in all zoning districts shall maintain a high standard of architectural and aesthetic compatibility with surrounding properties to ensure that they will not adversely impact the property values of the adjacent properties or adversely impact the community's public health, safety and general welfare.

(c)

Exterior Building Finishes.

(1)

The primary exterior building facade finishes shall consist of materials comparable in grade and quality to the following:

a.

Brick.

b.

Natural stone.

c.

Integral colored split face (rock face) concrete block.

d.

Cast in place concrete or pre-cast concrete panels.

e.

Wood, provided the surfaces are finished for exterior use or wood of proven exterior durability is used, such as cedar, redwood, or cypress.

f.

Curtain wall panels of steel, fiberglass and aluminum (non-structural, non-load bearing), provided such panels are factory fabricated and finished with a durable non-fade surface and their fasteners are of a corrosion resistant design.

g.

Glass curtain wall panels.

h.

Stucco.

i.

Vinyl.

j.

Other materials determined as acceptable by the Zoning Administrator.

(2)

Building foundations and other such portions of a building's facade need not comply with the requirements for the primary facade treatment or materials.

Subd. 2.

Commercial and Public/Institutional Districts.

(a)

In business and P-I districts, any exposed metal or fiberglass finish shall be limited to 50 percent of the surface of any building wall. 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. The roof slope shall be limited to a maximum of 1:12 slope, unless approved by the Zoning Administrator.

(Amended by Ord. No. 2001-06, 02/13/01)

Subd. 3.

Industrial Districts.

(a)

In industrial districts, all buildings constructed of curtain wall panels of metal or fiberglass shall be faced with brick, wood, stone, architectural concrete cast in place or pre-cast concrete panels on all wall surfaces. The required wall surface treatment may allow up to 50 percent of any metal or fiberglass wall surface to remain exposed if it is coordinated into the architectural design. For buildings which abut residential uses, the building material requirements of Subd. 2 above shall apply. In cases where industrial buildings are not visible from adjacent residential uses, the Zoning Administrator may grant an exception to the building material requirements of Subd. 2 above.

(Amended by Ord. No. 2001-06, 02/13/01; Amended by Ord. No. 2010-01, 02/23/10; Ord. No. 2024-09, §§ 8, 9, 3/26/2024)

Except as provided below, no lot, yard or other open space shall be reduced in area or dimension so as to make such lot, yard or open space less than the minimum required by this Chapter.

Subd. 1.

The following shall not be considered as encroachments on yard setback requirements.

(a)

For principal buildings, cantilevers up to ten feet in width, chimneys up to six feet in width, and flues, leaders, sills, pilasters, lintels, ornamental features, cornices, eaves, gutters, and the like, provided they do not project more than 30 inches into a required yard. Additionally, such cantilevers and chimneys shall not encroach over or into any drainage or utility easement. Window wells and their related covers shall not encroach in existing or required drainage or utility easements, unless approved by the City Engineer.

(b)

Uncovered walkways, uncovered stoops, and uncovered steps within a front yard.

(c)

Terraces, uncovered steps, decks, patios, uncovered porches, uncovered stoops and similar features that do not extend above the height of the main living level of the principal structure, provided that in no case shall any such feature be closer than six feet from a side or rear lot line, or from a front lot line which qualifies as an equivalent rear or side yard as defined by this Chapter. No encroachment shall be permitted in existing or required drainage and utility easements, unless approved by the City Engineer.

(d)

Pursuant to Section 21120 of this Chapter, accessory buildings and structures including, but not limited to, sheds, ground-mounted solar energy systems, play and recreational facilities, private dog kennels, laundry drying equipment, and gazebos shall not be located in a front yard. Such accessory buildings or structures, when built to manufacturer specifications, may be located within: 1) a side or rear yard, provided they comply with the minimum side or rear yard setback requirement for accessory structures as prescribed by the applicable district; and 2) on corner lots or through lots, they may be located within the front yard area that abuts a side or rear building facade provided they comply with the minimum front yard setback as prescribed by the applicable district. No encroachment shall be permitted in existing or required drainage and utility easements, unless approved by the City Engineer. The exception is that eave overhangs and any related gutters for detached accessory buildings may encroach into a yard setback and drainage and utility easement up to 24 inches beyond the exterior walls of the building.

(e)

Air conditioning equipment and generators may be located in a side or rear yard, provided that for residential uses they are set back at least six feet from side and rear lots lines, and that for non-residential uses they comply with the minimum setback requirement for accessory structures as prescribed by the applicable district. Air conditioning equipment and generators shall not be located within the front yard area that lies between the front lot line and the closest wall projection of the principal building to the front lot line, except that on corner lots or through lots, they may be located within a front yard area that abuts a side or rear building facade (not the front building facade containing the main entrance). In no case shall such items be permitted to encroach into an existing or required drainage and utility easement, unless approved by the City Engineer.

Subd. 2.

Required Front Yard Setback Exceptions for New or Expanded Homes. In the case of single-family residential lots platted prior to the date of this Chapter, the required front yard setback as established by the respective zoning districts may be reduced, upon the approval of the Zoning Administrator, to a distance equaling the average front yard setback of existing principal dwellings within the block in which the lot is located, provided that in no case shall this distance be less than 15 feet. The Zoning Administrator's approval shall be given as a matter of right if there is compliance with this Chapter and all other applicable ordinances.

Subd. 3.

Corner Lots. Front yard requirements shall be observed on each street frontage of a corner lot.

(Amended by Ord. No. 2000-06, 02/29/00; Ord. No. 2002-02, 01/22/02; Ord. No. 2002-25, 06/25/02; Ord. No. 2004-02, 01/13/04; Ord. No. 2005-01, 01/11/05; Ord. No. 2006-04, 02/07/06; Ord. No. 2007-05, 01/23/07; ; Ord. No. 2008-09, 03/25/08Ord. No. 2010-01, 02/23/10; Ord. No. 2012-05, 02/28/12; Ord. No. 2013-11, 04/23/13; Ord. No. 2016-11, 04/26/16; Ord. No. 2024-09, § 36, 3/26/2024; Ord. No. 2024-22, § 8, 9/24/2024; Ord. No. 2025-02, § 12, 3/25/2025)

Except for elderly (senior citizen) housing, the number of efficiency apartments in a multiple family dwelling shall not exceed ten percent of the total number of apartments. In the case of elderly (senior citizen) housing, efficiency apartments shall not exceed 30 percent of the total number of apartments.

(Amended by Ord. No. 2014-12, 02/25/14)

Subd. 1.

No single townhouse or manor home structure shall contain more than fourteen (14) dwelling units.

(Amended by Ord. No. 2006-04, 02/07/06)

Subd. 2.

In any development containing an apartment structure or three or more townhouse or manor home structures approved after July 13, 2010, no such structure located along an arterial or collector roadway or along any street abutting the periphery of the development shall be constructed at the same setback from the public right-of-way as an abutting structure within the same development.

Subd. 3.

In any development approved after July 13, 2010, all townhouse or manor home dwelling units shall include an enclosed, two-stall garage containing not less than four hundred (400) square feet.

Subd. 4.

In any development approved after July 13, 2010, each façade of a townhouse, manor home, or apartment structure shall be finished with a minimum of two different colors and two different finishes (exterior finishes exclude exposed foundation walls constructed of poured concrete or smooth-face concrete block, whether painted or not painted). Banding shall be incorporated into the design where appropriate to avoid expansive, unadorned areas, including, but not limited to, areas below gabled roofs.

Subd. 5.

In any development containing three or more townhouse or manor home structures and approved after July 13, 2010, the facades shall include roof articulation and offsets in the wall plane within or between each dwelling. The required offsets, windows, and architectural features around doorways (such as roofed porches) shall comprise a minimum of 20 percent of each façade. For purposes of calculating the total façade area, the area of the garage door shall be removed and the 20 percent calculation based on the net area. All windows shall be constructed with a minimum of three-and-one-half inches of trim around the window (including sills, jamb, and head) or recessed to provide shadowing.

Subd. 6.

All apartment structures approved after July 13, 2010, shall be designed so that each façade of the building shall include roof articulation and offsets in the wall plane. All windows shall be constructed with a minimum of three-and-one-half (inches of trim around the window (including sills, jamb, and head) or recessed to provide shadowing.

Subd. 7.

Subdivision of Two Family or Townhouse Lots. The subdivision of base lots containing two family dwellings, or townhouses, to permit individual private ownership of a single dwelling unit within such a structure may be allowed upon the approval by the City. Approval of a subdivision request is contingent on the following requirements:

(a)

Prior to a two family dwelling or townhouse subdivision, the base lot must meet all the requirements of the zoning district.

(b)

The lot area calculation for individually platted unit lots shall include the proportionate share of the surrounding base lot.

(Amended by Ord. No. 2004-09, 07/13/04)

(c)

Permitted accessory uses as defined by the zoning districts are acceptable, provided they meet all the zoning requirements.

(d)

A property maintenance agreement must be arranged by the applicant and submitted to the City Attorney for review and comment. The agreement shall ensure the maintenance and upkeep of the structure and lots to meet minimum City standards. The agreement is to be filed with the Hennepin County Recorder's Office as a deed restriction against the title of each unit lot.

(e)

Separate public utility service shall be provided to each subdivided unit and shall be subject to the review and approval of the Zoning Administrator.

(f)

The subdivision is to be platted and recorded in conformance to the requirements of the Subdivision Ordinance of the City.

(g)

Minimum unit lot width for townhouses shall be not less than 20 feet.

(h)

Requirements of the Minnesota State Building Code at the time of subdivision shall be complied with.

Subd. 8.

Subdivision of apartment dwelling structures, manor homes and other such units:

(a)

The subdivision is to be platted and recorded in conformance with the requirements of the Subdivision Ordinance of the City, as applicable.

(b)

The subdivision shall comply with applicable cooperative or condominium laws of the State of Minnesota.

(Amended by Ord. No. 2010-12, 07/13/10)

The following standards apply to unsewered lots within the City.

Subd. 1.

Minimum Lot Area. Lot sizes where public sewer is not available is ten (10) acres for single family uses, unless otherwise specified by the respective zoning district. This minimum lot size shall not apply to smaller separate parcels of record in separate ownership lawfully existing prior to 16 June 1980, provided that it can be demonstrated by means satisfactory to the City that the small parcels will not result in groundwater, soil or other contamination which may endanger the public health.

Subd. 2.

Two Family Dwellings, Multiple Family Dwellings, and Commercial Developments. Two family dwellings, multiple family dwellings and commercial developments are not allowable uses on unsewered lots.

Subd. 3.

Other Uses. Subject to the other provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, uses other than single family detached dwellings, multiple family dwellings and commercial developments may be allowed by conditional use permit. The minimum lot size for each principal use is five acres or the applicable zoning district requirement, whichever is greater. A conditional use permit shall not be granted unless it can be demonstrated by means satisfactory to the City that the use:

(a)

Will not result in groundwater, soil or other contamination which may endanger the public health.

(b)

Will not prematurely require or increase future City utility service demands and expense.

(c)

Will not jeopardize public safety and general welfare.

All single-family detached homes shall comply with the following:

Subd. 1.

Minimum Size. Dwellings shall not be less than 30 feet in length and not less than 22 feet in width over that entire minimum length. Width measurements shall not take account of overhang and other projections beyond the principal walls. Dwelling shall also meet the minimum floor area requirements as set out in this Chapter.

Subd. 2.

Roof Material. Dwellings shall have an earth covered, composition, wood shingled (include shakes), concrete, clay or ceramic-tiled roof. In addition, metal tile and standing seam metal roof coverings may be allowed by approval of the Zoning Administrator, provided they meet the standards adopted by the Minnesota State Residential Code.

Subd. 3.

Building Permit. Prior to commencement of construction, dwellings shall receive a building permit. The application for a building permit in addition to other information required shall indicate the height, size, design and the appearance of all elevations of the proposed building and a description of the construction materials proposed to be used.

Subd. 4.

Design. The exterior architectural design of a proposed dwelling may not be so at variance with, nor so similar to, the exterior architectural design of any structure or structures already constructed or in the course of construction in the immediate neighborhood, nor so at variance with the character of the surrounding neighborhood as to cause a significant depreciation in the property values of the neighborhood or adversely affect the public health, safety or general welfare.

Subd. 5.

Code Compliance. Dwellings shall meet the requirements of the Minnesota State Building Code or the applicable manufactured housing code.

(Amended by Ord. No. 99-25, 10/05/99; Ord. No. 2002-02, 01/22/02; Ord. No. 2002-32, 11/26/02; Ord. No. 2003-19, 06/10/03; Ord. No. 2009-07, 05/12/09; Ord. No. 2012-05, 02/28/12; Ord. No. 2015-15, 05/26/15; Ord. No. 2020-11, § 10, 10/13/2020)