This section identifies requirements for accessory buildings, structures, and uses.

Subd. 1.

No detached accessory building, structure, or use shall be allowed on any lot prior to the time of construction of the principal building to which it is accessory.

Subd. 2.

Unless otherwise allowed by this Chapter, no detached accessory building, structure, or use shall be allowed within a front yard, except that a detached accessory building, structure, or use may be allowed within a front yard that qualifies as an equivalent rear or side yard as defined by this Chapter, provided it meets the minimum front yard setback specified for the principal building on the lot.

Subd. 3.

Accessory buildings having direct vehicular access onto an alley shall be set back at least 20 feet from the alley lot line. In cases where reasonable difficulty is encountered in meeting this requirement, the Zoning Administrator may approve deviations to the setback standard.

Subd. 4.

No building permit shall be required for detached accessory buildings containing 200 square feet in gross floor area or less, however, such buildings shall comply with all applicable regulations set forth in this Chapter. The gross floor area for detached accessory buildings shall include the area of roof overhangs (eaves) that extend more than 24 inches beyond the exterior walls of the building.

Subd. 5.

Except in the case of single- and two-family dwellings, the total amount of detached accessory building space shall not exceed 30 percent of the gross floor area of the principal building(s), except by conditional use permit.

Subd. 6.

Height. The maximum height for detached accessory buildings and structures shall be as prescribed in the applicable district, provided that in no case shall the height of an accessory building or structure exceed the height of the principal building, except as may otherwise be provided in this Chapter.

Subd. 7.

Design and Building Materials.

(a)

Design. Except in the FRD Zoning District, all accessory buildings in excess of 200 square feet shall be designed to be architecturally consistent with the principal building, and shall incorporate similar or complementary design elements and colors, except that solariums and greenhouses (attached or detached) shall be exempt from this provision.

(b)

Building Materials.

(1)

Except in the FRD Zoning District and except as may be allowed by paragraph (4) below, all accessory buildings in excess of 200 square feet shall incorporate similar or complementary building materials to those used on the principal building, except that solariums and greenhouses (attached or detached) shall be exempt from this provision.

(2)

Accessory buildings and structures constructed primarily of canvas, plastic fabric, or other similar non-permanent building materials shall be prohibited, except that structures used exclusively as greenhouses shall be exempt from this provision.

(3)

Quonset-hut type accessory buildings and structures shall be prohibited in the RSF and RMF Districts.

(4)

Non-residential uses allowed in the residential districts may be allowed to have an all metal or fiberglass accessory building in excess of 200 square feet by conditional use permit, provided the building is located in the rear yard and is screened and landscaped from adjacent residentially zoned or used property and public rights-of-way in accordance with Section 21130 of this Chapter.

Subd. 8.

Trash Receptacles.

(a)

Except as otherwise provided, all existing multiple family dwellings and non-residential buildings having exterior trash receptacles shall provide an enclosed area in conformance with the following:

(1)

Exterior wall treatment shall be similar and/or complement the principal building.

(2)

For residential uses, the minimum setback for an enclosed trash receptacle area shall be the same as the setback prescribed for accessory structures. For non-residential uses, the minimum setback for an enclosed trash receptacle area shall be the same as the setback prescribed for the principal building.

(3)

The trash enclosure shall be in an accessible location for servicing vehicles and shall not conflict with site circulation.

(4)

The trash receptacles shall be fully screened from view of adjacent properties and the public right-of-way.

(5)

The design and construction of the trash enclosure shall be subject to the approval of the Building Official.

(6)

Recycling space shall be provided as required by the Minnesota State Building Code.

(7)

Noise emanating from trash collection activities shall be minimized so as not to constitute a nuisance as defined and regulated by Section 2010 of the City Code.

(8)

The trash enclosure shall not be located within a front yard, unless one of the following exceptions apply: 1) a trash enclosure may be located within a front yard that qualifies as an 'equivalent' rear or side yard, as defined by this Chapter; or 2) when all yard areas for a building are front yards, the Zoning Administrator shall designate the yard area in which the trash enclosure may be located.

(b)

Except as otherwise provided, new multifamily dwellings buildings shall provide an internal trash and recycling area in conformance with the following:

(1)

Exterior wall treatment shall be similar and/or complement the principal building.

(2)

The entrance shall be in an accessible location for servicing vehicles and shall not conflict with site circulation. The entrance shall not be in the front yard or visible from adjacent residential properties, unless approved by the Zoning Administrator.

(3)

The design and construction shall be subject to the approval of the Building Official.

(4)

Recycling space shall be provided. Future space for compost shall be identified.

(5)

Noise emanating from collection activities shall be minimized so as not to constitute a nuisance as defined and regulated by Section 2010 of the City Code.

Subd. 9.

Carports.

(a)

Carports shall comply with all regulations for accessory structures as set forth in this Chapter, and with the regulations set forth in this subsection.

(b)

Carports shall be used for the parking of vehicles (includes recreational vehicles), and shall not be used for the storage of household or personal items, lawn equipment, furniture, parts, and the like. The exception is that refuse containers and stacked firewood may also be kept under a carport (attached or detached) that is located in a side, rear, or equivalent yard.

(c)

Carports shall not exceed 300 square feet in area.

(d)

The eave line (or lowest sloped roof section if there is no eave) for a carport shall be at least seven feet in height, but shall not exceed ten feet in height. Carports with flat roofs shall be at least seven feet in height, but shall not exceed ten feet in height.

Subd. 10.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). The following standards apply to all zoning districts that allow EVSE. Any EVSE installed before the date of adoption of these regulations shall be legal, non-conforming structures. The provisions of this Subdivision apply to all Zoning Districts.

Performance standards.

(a)

Safety, Location, and Accessibility.

(1)

EVSE shall not interfere with the right-of-way user sight lines.

(2)

EVSE shall incorporate a cord management system or method to eliminate potential for cable entanglement, user injury or connector damage from lying on the ground.

(3)

EVSE shall not obstruct a sidewalk or walkway and must minimize trip and safety hazards.

(4)

EVSE shall be protected by appropriate curbing or bollards.

(5)

Equipment owned by the utility provider shall refer to the requirements in Section 735 of this Chapter.

(6)

EVSE shall be under eight feet in height except where approved by the zoning administrator.

(7)

EVSE and parking stalls served by EVSE shall follow accessibility requirements for parking stalls and equipment access when required by the adopted version of MN building code.

(8)

EVSE shall be installed pursuant to manufacturer specification and shall comply with all applicable state building codes, state fire codes, state electrical codes, and relevant permitting processes.

(9)

EVSE shall be adequately maintained for safety and continual usage, following this Ordinance's public nuisance requirements in Section 2010.

(10)

The area surrounding the EVSE shall be maintained appropriately to reduce hazards and allow access to EVSE, including snow removal around the equipment to allow for safety and access.

(11)

At the end of life for EVSE, the EVSE shall be replaced with new equipment or the EVSE shall be properly removed, and all utilities and equipment shall be safely decommissioned.

(b)

Setbacks.

(1)

EVSE in residential districts shall not be considered accessory buildings but shall adhere to the setbacks for accessory buildings and structures as identified in Subsection 21115.04, Section 21120, and each zoning district.

(2)

EVSE in all other districts are not subject to structural setbacks and may be located anywhere within property lines, subject to the other standards in this Chapter.

(c)

Parking Minimums, Parking Lot Requirements, Parking Restrictions.

(1)

All Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) shall count towards off-street parking minimums required in this Chapter as specified in Section 21135.

(2)

Each EVCS and parking space for which any City incentive was granted shall be "Dedicated EVCS", reserved for electric vehicle charging only.

(d)

Signage.

(1)

EVSE signage shall include a phone number to contact for regular maintenance issues. Signage shall state to call 911 in case of an emergency.

(2)

If parking time limits or usage requirements are to be enforced by towing by the property owner, this shall be posted with signage in compliance with Section 21155.

(3)

All signage shall meet the requirements in this Chapter in Section 21155.

(4)

There shall be no offsite signage/advertisements, nor video or amplified sound, associated with EVSE.

(e)

Lighting.

(1)

Lighting shall be provided for EVSE for safety and usage and must follow the requirements in this Chapter in Section 21105.06.

(Amended by Ord. No. 2015-15, 05/26/15; Ord. No. 2016-11, 04/26/16; Ord. No. 2019-01, 02/12/19; Ord. No. 2020-11, § 11, 10/13/2020; Ord. No. 2024-09, § 37, 3/26/2024; Ord. No. 2024-22, § 9, 9/24/2024)

In addition to other applicable regulations of this Section, the following regulations shall apply to residential uses:

Subd. 1.

In the FRD and RSF Zoning Districts and for single-family detached dwellings in the RMF Zoning Districts, no detached accessory building shall equal more than 30 percent of the area of the rear yard or contain over 700 square feet in gross floor area, whichever is less. The exception is that in the FRD district, a detached accessory building may exceed 700 square feet in gross floor area upon issuance of a conditional use permit.

Subd. 2.

In the case of single- and two-family dwellings, the gross floor area of an accessory building shall not exceed the gross floor area of the principal building.

Subd. 3.

Attached accessory building space (e.g., garage, storage or workshop area, etc.) not exceeding 1,000 square feet in floor area shall be permitted per dwelling unit. Multiple attached accessory buildings are permitted as long as the combined square footage of all such spaces does not exceed 1,000 square feet in floor area or the gross floor area of the principal building. Except, if an attached accessory building is constructed with a main level and with a lower level (i.e., below grade or walk out) using materials such as pre-cast concrete plank, such attached accessory building shall not exceed 1,000 square feet of floor area per level. Attached accessory buildings that exceed the amount specified in this subdivision are not allowable, except by conditional use permit.

Subd. 4.

A maximum of two detached accessory buildings shall be allowed per single- or two-family lot, of which not more than one may contain over 200 square feet in gross floor area.

Subd. 5.

Accessory structures for residential uses shall be set back from adjoining lots as prescribed in the applicable district.

(Amended by Ord. No. 2019-01, 02/12/19)

In addition to other applicable regulations of this Section, the following regulations shall apply to non-residential uses:

Subd. 1.

Commercial and industrial uses shall be limited to not more than two accessory buildings (excludes dumpster enclosure structures).

Subd. 2.

Accessory buildings for non-residential uses shall be set back from adjoining lots as prescribed for the principal structure on the lot.

Subd. 3.

Drive Through Businesses. Where allowed, drive through businesses shall comply with the following:

(a)

The facility shall be located only on a site having direct access to a minor arterial street, collector or service road.

(b)

All portions of drive through facilities established after 7 March 1995, including but not limited to service windows, ordering stations and stacking spaces, shall be set back at least 300 feet from residentially zoned or guided property, unless screened by an intervening building or located across an arterial or major collector street from residentially zoned or guided property.

(c)

The facility's public address system shall not be audible from any adjacent residentially zoned or guided property and shall comply with Section 21105.10 of this Chapter.

(d)

Required Stacking Space.

(1)

Pharmacies. Pharmacies with one drive through lane shall provide stacking space for at least five vehicles, and pharmacies with two or more drive through lanes shall provide stacking space for at least three vehicles per lane, as measured from and including the last pick up station, window, or the like. Stacking spaces shall not interfere with parking spaces or traffic circulation.

(2)

Banks containing less than 6,000 square feet. Banks containing less than 6,000 square feet of gross floor area with one drive through lane shall provide stacking space for at least six vehicles, and banks containing less than 6,000 square feet of gross floor area with two or more drive through lanes shall provide stacking space for at least four vehicles per lane, as measured from and including the last pick up station, window, or the like. Stacking spaces shall not interfere with parking spaces or traffic circulation.

(3)

All Other Uses. Businesses with one drive through lane shall provide stacking space for at least ten vehicles, and businesses with two or more drive through lanes shall provide stacking space for at least six vehicles per lane, as measured from and including the last pick up station, window, or the like. Stacking spaces shall not interfere with parking spaces or traffic circulation.

(e)

The applicant shall demonstrate that such use will not significantly lower the existing level of service on streets and intersections.

(f)

Alcoholic beverages shall not be sold or served.

(g)

All elements of the drive through service area, including but not limited to associated signage, order stations, teller windows, and vehicle lights from the stacking lanes, shall be screened from adjacent residentially zoned or guided property pursuant to Section 21130.03 of this Chapter.

(h)

Sites with drive-through service shall be designed in a manner that allows drivers not using the drive-through, or wishing to exit the drive-through area, to bypass the drive-through lane(s).

(Amended by Ord. No. 2015-15, 05/26/15)

Application for a conditional use permit under this section shall be regulated by Section 21015 of this Chapter. Such conditional use permit for an accessory structure may be granted provided that:

Subd. 1.

There is a demonstrated need and potential for continued use for the structure for the purpose stated.

Subd. 2.

In the case of residential uses, no commercial or home occupation activities shall be conducted in the accessory building.

Subd. 3.

The building has an evident reuse or function related to the principal use.

Subd. 4.

The accessory building shall be maintained in a manner that is compatible with the adjacent residential uses and does not present a hazard to public health, safety, or general welfare.

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