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Richfield City Zoning Code

SECTION 512

DISTRICTS

(Added, Bill No. 2007-19)


512.01.- Zoning districts.

Subdivision 1.Establishment of districts. In order to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Code, the city is hereby divided into the following zoning districts: (Amended, Bill No. 2008-12, 2009-5, 2009-7, 2017-6, Bill No. 2021-12; Amended, Bill No. 2008-12, 2009-5, 2009-7, 2017-6, Bill No. 2021-12, Bill No. 2023-2)

Residential Districts
Low Density Residential R
Single-Family Residential R-1
Multi-Family Residential MR-2
High Density Multi-Family Residential MR-3
Commercial Districts
Service Office S-O
Neighborhood Business C-1
General Commercial C-2
Mixed-Use Districts
Mixed-Use Regional MU-R
Mixed-Use Community MU-C
Mixed-Use Neighborhood MU-N
Industrial Districts
Industrial I
Planned Unit Development Districts
Planned Residential PR
Planned Multi-Family Residential PMR
Planned Neighborhood Commercial PC-1
Planned General Commercial PC-2
Planned Mixed Use PMU
Overlay Districts
Airport Impact Overlay District AR
Penn Avenue Corridor Overlay District PAC
Cedar Avenue Corridor Overlay District CAC
Veterans Park Area Overlay District VPA

 

Subd. 2.District boundaries. The location and boundaries of the zoning districts established in this Code, other than airport overlay districts, are set forth in "Appendix 1" to this Code which delineates the legal descriptions of land within each zoning district. Appendix 1 is on file and open to public inspection during regular city office hours in the Office of Community Development. The location and boundaries of the overlay districts are identified in section 541 of this Code. (Amended, Bill No. 2009-5)

Subd. 3.Lots which lie within two (2) zoning districts. Where a district boundary line divides a lot of record placing it into two (2) separate zoning districts, the provisions of this Code which pertain to either zoning district may be applied to the entire lot or for a distance of 30 feet from such district boundary line, whichever is less.

512.03. - Permitted uses in all districts.

Except as otherwise noted, the following uses shall be construed to be permitted in all zoning districts within the City:

a)

Public streets and highways;

b)

Underground public utilities;

c)

Municipally-owned parks and related accessory facilities;

d)

Solar equipment as an accessory use;

e)

Horticulture/community gardens as an accessory to an established institutional use (school, church, park), provided that plants and related materials are maintained in a clean and orderly manner and that waste is disposed of appropriately; and

f)

Beekeeping subject to the inspection and licensing requirements and limitations outlined in Section 906.

g)

Electric vehicle chargers and related equipment as an accessory use subject to the requirements and limitations outlined in Subsection 544.13. (Added, Bill No. 2022-3)

(Amended, Bill No. 2016-2; Bill No. 2016-7)

512.05. - Permitted, Conditional, Accessory and Prohibited Uses in Residential Districts.

The following table summarizes which land uses are classified as permitted, accessory, conditional or prohibited in the Residential Districts. Refer to Sections 514 through 527 for complete regulations.

P: Permitted

A: Accessory

C: Conditional

N: Null or Prohibited

Land UseRR-1MR-2MR-3
Residential
Single-family detached dwellings P P N N
Two-family dwellings P N P P
Multifamily dwellings (minimum 3 units) N N P/C P/C
Cluster home developments C N C N
Other
Bed and breakfast inns C C N N
Cemeteries C N N N
Day care facilities P/C P P/C P/C
Emergency shelters C N C C
Fences, walls and hedges A A A A
Foster family homes A/C A/C A/C A/C
Garages/carports for a residential structure A A A A
Gazebos/greenhouses A A N N
Governmental buildings P N C C
Home occupations A A A A
Libraries (public) P N C C
Parking A A A A
Private driveways A A A A
Public utilities, major C C C C
Public utilities, minor A A A A
Recreational facilities, noncommercial,
principal use 		C C N N
Religious institutions C N C C
Residential care facilities P P P/C P/C
Roomer A A N N
Satellite dish antennas A A A A
Schools, public or private C N C C
Storage buildings A A A A
Swimming pools, private A A A A
Telecommunication towers C C C C
Utility buildings accessory to telecommun.
towers and antennas 		A N A A

 

(Amended, Bill No. 2014-4, Bill No. 2023-2)

512.07. - Permitted, Conditional, Accessory and Prohibited Uses in Commercial Districts.

The following table summarizes which land uses are classified as permitted, accessory, conditional or prohibited in the Commercial Districts. Refer to Sections 529 through 534 for complete regulations. (Amended, Bill No. 2011-19 and Bill No. 2024-12)

P: Permitted

A: Accessory

C: Conditional

N: Null or not Permitted

Land UseS-OC-1C-2
Adult businesses N N P
Animal kennels N N P/C
Apartments within a commercial building A A/C C
Assembly, light manufacturing, warehouse N N A
Auction houses N N P
Auto mechanical/body repair N N C
Auto detailing N N C
Auto or boat sales N N C
Auto stereo installation service N N P
Auto washes N N C
Barber or beauty shops P/C P/C P/C
Bicycle stores N P/C P/C
Bicycle repair shops P/C P/C P/C
Bowling alleys N N P
Cannabis Delivery Service, when subordinate to, under common ownership of, and collocated with a Cannabis Retail Business. N N A
Cannabis Event Organizer (office only) P P P
Cannabis Retail Business N N P
Carpet or paint stores N P/C P/C
Cemeteries N N C
Convenience store N P P
Day care facilities C P P
Drug stores without drive-up facility N P/C P/C
Drug stores with drive-up window N N C
Emergency shelter N N C
Enclosed storage A A A
Fences, walls and hedges A A A
Financial institutions without drive-up service N N P
Financial institutions with drive-up service N N C
Firearms related uses N N C
Fortune telling N N P
Funeral homes, mortuaries N N C
Furniture or appliance stores N P/C P/C
Governmental buildings P P P
Grocery stores N P/C P/C
Health club or studio, spa N P P
Hospital or 24-hour urgent care P/C P/C P/C
Hotel or motel (6 or more units) N N C
Junk yard N N N
Libraries, public P P P
Liquor store, municipal N N P
Micro-production facility (micro-brewery/micro-distillery) N N C
Nursing home P P N
Office, single-tenant, professional, executive or business P/C P/C P/C
Office, multi-tenant, professional, executive, or business P/C P/C P/C
Outdoor merchandising or storage (except as allowed by Section 1135 of the City Code) N N N
Parking A A A
Pawn shops and second hand goods dealers licensed under Section 1186 or 1187 of the City Code N N C
Public utility, minor A A A
Public utility, major C C C
Religious institutions N N P
Restaurant, take-out only (Class IV) N C P
Restaurant, fast food/convenience food (Class III) or any restaurant with drive-up service N N C
Restaurant, traditional or cafeteria (Class II) N C C
Restaurant, full service (Class I) N N C
Retail, general (single or multi-tenant) N P/C P/C
Schools, public or private N N P
Service station N N C
Service station/convenience store N N C
Service or non-auto repair shop P/C P/C P/C
Taproom/cocktail room N N A/C
Tattoo shops N N P
Taxi or limousine service N N P
Theater, movie or live entertainment N N C
Veterinary clinic N N P

 

(Amended, Bill No. 2011-13; 2011-19; 2014-4; 2015-5; 2015-15; 2018-13; Bill No. 2024-12)

512.09. - Permitted, Conditional, Accessory and Prohibited Uses in Mixed-Use Districts.

The following table summarizes which land uses are classified as permitted, accessory, conditional or prohibited in the Mixed-Use Districts. Refer to Section 537 for complete regulations.

P: Permitted

A: Accessory

C: Conditional

N: Null or not Permitted

Land UseMU-NMU-CMU-R
Residential
Assisted living facilities, nursing, rest homes P P N
Dwelling, multifamily (min. 3 units) P P P (but see 537.07, Subd. 2a)
Dwelling, townhouse P N N
Live-work units P P N
Commercial, Institutional and Public
Adult business establishments as defined and regulated under City Code Subsection 1196 N P P
Animal kennels C C C
Assembly and manufacturing accessory and subordinate to a retail use N A A
Auto detailing N C C
Auto mechanical or body repair shops N C C
Auto rental facilities accessory to a primary office or hotel use N A A
Auto sales or lease - new vehicles N N C
Cannabis Delivery Service when subordinate to, under common ownership of, and collocated with a Cannabis Retail Business. N A A
Cannabis Event Organizer (office only) N P P
Cannabis Retail Business N P P
Convenience store P P P
Day care facilities P P P
Drive-up window or teller service N C C
Funeral homes, mortuaries N P N
Government buildings A P A
Gun or ammunition sales/repair and firearms-related uses N C C
Health or athletic clubs, spas, yoga studios P P P
Hospitals N N P
Hotel/motel (defined as 6 or more rooms) N P P
Libraries, public P P N
Micro-production facility (micro-brewery/micro-distillery) N C C
Offices and clinics P P P
Public utilities, major N C C
Public utilities, minor A A A
Religious institutions P P A
Restaurant Class I (serving alcohol) N C P
Restaurant Class II (traditional/cafeteria) P P P
Restaurant Class III (fast food with drive-thru) N C C
Restaurant Class IV (take out only) P P P
Retail services, general C P P
Retail services, neighborhood P P P
Retail services, regional N C P
Schools, public or private P P C
Service station/convenience store N C C
Taproom/cocktail room N A/C A/C
Tattoo shops N P P
Theaters, movie, or live entertainment N N P
Transit facilities A A A

 

*Conditions apply, see section 537 for complete regulations.

(Amended, Bill No. 2011-13; Bill No. 2011-19; Bill No. 2014-4; Bill No. 2015-5; Bill No. 2015-15; Bill No. 2019-4; Bill No. 2022-4; Bill No. 2024-12)

512.11. - Permitted, Conditional, Accessory and Prohibited Uses in the Industrial District.

The following table summarizes which land uses are classified as permitted, accessory, conditional or prohibited in the Industrial District. Refer to Section 539 for complete regulations.

P: Permitted

A: Accessory

C: Conditional

N: Null or Not Permitted

Land Use
Adult businesses P
Bottling operation P
Cannabis Non-Retail Businesses C
Cold storage P
Computer assembly P
Electric appliance manufacturing P
Electronic components assembly P
Food products manufacturing P
Laboratories for testing or research P
Living quarters for security personnel A
Lumber or building materials sales P
Metal products manufacturing P
Micro-production facility (micro-brewery/micro-distillery) P
Paper products manufacturing P
Parking A
Pawn shops and second hand goods dealers licensed under Section 1186 or 1187 of the City Code C
Rubber or plastics products manufacturing P
Satellite dish antennas A
Stone, clay or glass products manufacturing P
Telecommunication towers C
Textile products manufacturing P
Wood products manufacturing P

 

(Amended, Bill No. 2015-5; 2015-15; Bill No. 2024-12)

512.13. - Airport impact overlay districts.

Subdivision 1.Purpose and intent. Two overlay districts are established in the city to address unique land use situations related to the proximity of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (Wold-Chamberlain Field) ("MSP Airport"). The airport impact overlay districts are established to protect the public health, safety, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare and to promote the appropriate use of land in the vicinity of the MSP Airport. (Amended, Bill No. 2009-5)

Subd. 1a.Airport Impact Overlay District I (Safety)(AIO-1). The Airport Impact Overlay District I (Safety) is established to implement the 2004 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (Wold-Chamberlain Field) Zoning Ordinance (hereinafter 2004 MSP Zoning Ordinance). The AIO-1 District is intended to promote the most appropriate use of land by preventing the creation or establishment of certain uses subject to the 2004 MSP Zoning Ordinance and Minnesota Statutes. (Added, Bill No. 2008-12; Amended, Bill No. 2009-5)

Subd. 1b.[Airport Impact Overlay District II (Noise)(AIO-2).] The Airport Impact Overlay District II (Noise)(AIO-2) is intended to reduce the impact of airport noise on residential land uses by establishing standards for noise attenuation in new construction and by establishing guidelines for noise attenuation in the rehabilitation or remodeling of existing residential land uses.

Subd. 1c.[Regulations.] The regulations for airport impact overlay districts are set forth at section 541 of this Code.

Subd. 2. (Repealed, Bill 2009-5)

Subd. 3. (Repealed, Bill 2009-5)

Subd. 4.Uses. All permitted, accessory, conditional and interim uses allowed in the underlying zoning district are allowed in the Airport Runway Overlay District with the exception of the following prohibited uses.

a)

Within the portion of the Airport Runway Overlay District designated as Safety Zone B as contained in Section V Land Use Safety Zoning of the 2004 MSP Zoning Ordinance and shown on MSP Zoning Map Safety Zones - Plate SZ-20, the following uses are prohibited unless a variance permitting the use is granted by the Board of Adjustment established by the 2004 MSP Zoning Ordinance:

(i)

Amphitheaters;

(ii)

Campgrounds;

(iii)

Churches;

(iv)

Fuel storage tank farms;

(v)

Above-ground fuel tanks;

(vi)

Gasoline stations;

(vii)

Hospitals;

(viii)

Nursing homes;

(ix)

Residential uses (including low, medium and high density residential uses);

(x)

Schools;

(xi)

Stadiums;

(xii)

Theaters;

(xiii)

Trailer courts;

(xiv)

Ponds or other uses that might attract waterfowl or other birds such as putrescible waste disposal operations, wastewater treatment facilities and associated settling ponds, and dredge spoil containment areas; provided, however, the prohibition on ponds or other uses that might attract waterfowl or other birds shall not apply to acres below an elevation of 800 feet above mean sea level along the Bluff of the Minnesota River.

b)

Within the portion of the Airport Runway Overlay District designated as Safety Zone C as contained in Section V Land Use Safety Zoning of the 2004 MSP Zoning Ordinance and shown on MSP Zoning Map Safety Zones - Plates SZ-13, SZ-14, SZ-15 and SZ-20 no land use shall violate the height restrictions imposed by the 2004 MSP Zoning Ordinance and described in Subsection 512.13 Subd. 4 of this Code.

Subd. 5.Height restrictions. Except as necessary and incidental to Airport operations, no new structure shall be constructed or established; no existing structure shall be altered, changed, rebuilt, repaired or replaced; and no tree shall be allowed to grow or be altered, repaired, replaced or replanted in any way so as to project above any Airspace Surface as shown on MSP Zoning Map Airspace Zones - Plates A-13, A-14, A-15, A-19 and A-20.

Subd. 6.Exemption for established residential neighborhoods. The following regulations shall apply to an "established residential neighborhood in a built-up area" as defined in 2004 MSP Zoning Ordinance:

a)

A low density residential structure or isolated low density residential lot as defined in 2004 MSP Zoning Ordinance which existed in an "established residential neighborhood in a built-up area" on or before January 1, 1978, and all other land uses with existed in an established residential neighborhood in a built-up area on or before June 30, 1979, shall be subject to the height restrictions of Subdivision 4, but shall not be subject to the Safety Zone B restrictions of Subdivision 3. In addition, such structure, lot or use shall be deemed a conforming use that shall not be prohibited under the 2004 MSP Zoning Ordinance.

b)

In Safety Zone B in an established residential neighborhood in a built-up urban area or in an area immediately adjacent to such a neighborhood, existing low, medium and high density residential uses may be improved and expanded, and new low, medium and high density residential uses may be developed, all subject to the height restrictions of Subdivision 4 and all other provisions of this Code.

Subd. 7.2004 MSP Zoning Ordinance use variances. Within the Airport Runway Overlay District, variance to allow uses listed as prohibited in the Airport Runway Overlay District that are granted by the Board of Adjustment as contained in the 2004 MSP Zoning Ordinance may only be established in the City of Richfield to the extent that they comply with all of provisions of this Code. A use not allowed in the underlying zoning district shall not be established under any circumstances.