A.

Whenever in any zoning district a use is not specifically allowed or specifically prohibited, the use shall be considered prohibited, unless the Zoning Administrator determines the proposed use is very similar to an allowed use. If the use is found to be very similar to an allowed use, the proposed use shall be allowed.

B.

The City Council or the Planning and Zoning Commission, on their own initiative or upon request, may conduct a study to determine if a use which is neither allowed nor prohibited is acceptable and if so, what zoning district would be most appropriate and the conditions and standards relating to development of the use. The City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission or property owner, if appropriate, shall initiate an amendment to the zoning ordinance to provide for the particular use under consideration or shall find that the use is not compatible for development within the City.

A.

Tables 10-42-1, 10-42-2, 10-43-1, 10-43-2, 10-44-1, and 10-44-2 list land uses and indicate whether they are permitted, permitted with standards, conditional, or prohibited. The following definitions shall be referenced when using Tables 10-42-1, 10-42-2, 10-43-1, 10-43-2, 10-44-1, and 10-44-2:

1.

Permitted Uses - a "P" in a cell of a use table indicates that the land use is allowed by right in the base zoning district.

2.

Permitted with Standards Uses - a "PS" in a cell of a use table indicates that the land use is allowed when standards identified in Division 6 of this Ordinance are met. Uses permitted with standards are also subject to all other applicable requirements of this Ordinance.

3.

Conditional Uses - a "C" in a cell of a use table indicates that the land use is allowed in the base zoning district only upon approval of a Conditional Use Permit as described in Part 10-33-00 and in compliance with any use-specific standards identified in Division 6 of this Ordinance. Uses subject to a Conditional Use Permit are also subject to all other applicable requirements of the City Code.

4.

Interim Uses - an "I" in a cell of a use table indicates that the land use is allowed in the base zoning district only upon approval of an Interim Use Permit as described in Part 10-34-00 and in compliance with any use-specific standards identified in Division 6 of this Ordinance. Uses subject to an Interim Use Permit are also subject to all other applicable requirements of the City Code.

5.

Prohibited Uses - a blank cell in a use table indicates that the land use is prohibited in that base zoning district.

B.

A full use table including all base zoning districts and all uses is available on the City's website. Where a conflict may occur between that table and the provisions contained in this Division, the provisions within this Division shall control.

A.

Any person desiring to improve property shall submit to the Building Official a survey of said premises and information on the location and dimensions of existing and proposed buildings, location of easements crossing the property, encroachments, and any other information which may be necessary to ensure conformance to City ordinances.

B.

All structures shall be placed so that they will not obstruct future public streets which may be constructed in conformity with existing streets and according to the system and standards employed by the City.

C.

Except in the case of a PUD District established by Part 10-37-00 of this Ordinance, or as specifically allowed and stated in a respective zoning district, not more than one (1) principal building shall be located on a lot. The words "principal building" shall be given their common, ordinary meaning as defined in Part 10-22-00 of this Ordinance. In case of doubt or on any questions or interpretation the decision of the Zoning Administrator shall be final, subject to the right to appeal to the Board of Adjustment.

D.

On a through lot, both street lines shall be front lot lines for applying the yard setback regulations of this Ordinance except in the case of a buffer yard fence or accessory building. In addition, no home on a through lot or corner lot in any residential zone shall be allowed direct access to any major collector or arterial street designated as such by the City's Transportation Plan, except as may be permitted by the City Engineer.

E.

In the case of properties which abut street easements, applicable setbacks shall be measured from the easement line and shall be related to roadway classification as identified in the St. Francis Transportation Plan and Subdivision Ordinance.

F.

Outlots are deemed unbuildable and no building permit shall be issued for such properties, except in the case of public park facilities and essential services.

G.

Each lot shall have frontage and access directly onto an abutting, improved and City accepted public street. The street shall be of a width and construction suitable to traffic requirements of the neighborhood and in compliance with City standards.

A.

Except as may be expressly allowed by this Ordinance, no garage, tent, accessory building or motor home shall at any time be used as living quarters, temporarily or permanently. Tents, playhouses or similar structures may be used for play or recreational purposes on a temporary basis or occasionally.

B.

Basements and cellars may be used as living quarters or rooms as a portion of the principal residential dwelling, only in conformance with the State Building Code.

A.

No structure shall exceed the maximum height requirement of the applicable zoning district provisions.

B.

The building height limits established herein for districts shall not apply to the following:

1.

Agricultural buildings on farm properties.

2.

Antenna support structures as regulated by Section 10-67-05 and Section 10-68-04 of this Ordinance.

3.

Belfries.

4.

Chimneys or flues.

5.

Church spires.

6.

Cooling towers.

7.

Cupolas and domes which do not contain usable space.

8.

Elevator penthouses.

9.

Flagpoles.

10.

Monuments.

11.

Necessary mechanical and electrical appurtenances.

12.

Parapet walls extending not more than three (3) feet above the limiting height of the building.

13.

Poles, towers and other structures for essential services.

14.

Wind energy conversion system towers as regulated by Section 10-68-25 of this Ordinance.

(Ord. 291, SS, 1-18-2022)

A.

For the purposes of calculating impervious surface area, the following are exempted:

1.

Wood or similar decks with one-fourth (¼) inch spacing between boards, provided there is a pervious surface underneath.

2.

Sidewalks four (4) feet or less in width.

3.

Landscaping areas with pervious surfaces such as woodchips or rocks on the surface provided there are no impervious materials such as plastic underneath the ground cover material.

4.

Landscape edging one (1) foot wide or less.

5.

Fences, walls, or retaining walls two (2) feet wide or less.

B.

Properly installed paver stones with a sand base to allow for drainage and other porous pavements may be counted as 50 percent pervious, if approved by the City Engineer and installed to the requisite installation standards.

C.

Property owners may apply for a formal Engineering Review to determine a percentage other than identified in Item B above for porous pavements. The City Engineer will review the proposed pavement and determine the impervious surface percentage.

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 Ordinance. If the existing yard or other open space is less than the minimum required, it shall not be further reduced. No required open space provided around any building or structure shall be included as part of any open space required for another structure.

A.

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

1.

Cantilevers up to 10 feet in width, chimneys, flues, leaders, sills, pilasters, lintels, ornamental features, cornices, eaves, gutters, and the like, provided they do not project more than two (2) feet into a yard.

2.

Terraces, steps, decks, uncovered porches, stoops or similar structures limited to not more than a height of three (3) feet above grade may extend to within five (5) feet of side yard and 10 feet of rear yard lot lines, but not more than five (5) feet into a required front yard or side yard adjacent to a public right-of-way.

3.

Recreational and laundry drying equipment, arbors and trellises, gazebos, and air-conditioning or heating equipment shall be allowed only in a rear or side yard, provided they are at a distance of five (5) feet from any lot line.

4.

In residential districts, a one (1) story entrance for a detached single-unit or two-unit dwelling may extend into the front yard setback not more than five (5) feet, and shall not exceed 50 square feet in size.

5.

No encroachment shall be permitted in existing or required drainage and utility easements.

B.

Front Yard Setback Exceptions. In the case of lots platted prior to the effective date of this Ordinance, the principal building setback requirements for front and side yards adjacent to a public right-of-way, as established by the respective zoning districts, may be reduced to a distance equaling the average setback of principal buildings on adjacent lots. In no case shall this distance be less than half of the required setback.

C.

Triangular Lots. In the case of triangular lots, where the rear lot line is a single vertex, the rear yard setback points of reference shall be determined by measuring the length of the setback distance from the vertex along the side lot lines. The rear setback line shall be determined by traversing the lot and connecting these points of reference.

D.

Lean-to's attached to an existing structure shall meet all required setbacks and shall be included in the allowable square footage of the building and square footage restrictions on lot sizes.

A.

Except as otherwise specified in the zoning district provisions, the following residential unit types shall have the listed minimum dwelling unit size:

1.

Single-unit Dwellings: 960 square feet per dwelling unit (excluding garage):

2.

Twinhomes, Two- to four-unit dwelling units, Townhouses and Rowhouses: 600 square feet first floor above grades plus 100 additional square feet for each bedroom.

3.

Multiple Dwelling Units (excepting senior housing):

Table 10-41-1: Minimum Floor Area for Multiple Dwelling Units

4.

Senior Housing:

Table 10-41-2: Minimum Floor Area for Senior Housing Units

A.

Except for senior housing, the number of efficiency apartments in multiple-unit dwellings shall not exceed one (1) unit or 10 percent of the total number of dwelling units in the building, whichever is greater. In the case of senior housing, efficiency apartments shall not exceed 30 percent of the total number of apartments.

A.

The relocation of any building or structure on a lot or onto another lot within the City shall require an administrative permit subject to the following conditions:

1.

Upon relocation, the building shall comply with the applicable requirements of this Ordinance, the City Code, and the Uniform Building Code.

2.

The relocated structure shall be ready for occupancy within six (6) months from the date of location on the site.

3.

A performance security shall be provided in an amount determined by the Building Official to ensure timely completion of the project and to protect against damage to public facilities during the building relocation.

B.

The following are exempt from the provisions of this Section:

1.

Relocations which occur solely within the confines of a single lot or parcel.

2.

Manufactured homes within manufactured home parks.

3.

Prefabricated and industrialized/modular buildings as defined by the State Building Code being relocated to their first permanent building site.

No structure, except piers, docks, and retaining walls shall be placed at an elevation such that the lowest floor, including basement floor, is less than three (3) feet above the highest known water level, or less than one (1) foot above the 100-year regulatory flood protection elevation, if determined, of any adjacent lake, pond, river, watercourse, or wetland. If sufficient data on known high-water levels is not available, the elevation of the line of permanent aquatic vegetation shall be used as the estimated high-water elevation. When fill is required to meet this elevation, the fill shall be allowed to stabilize, and construction shall not begin until the property has been inspected by the Building Official. If requested by the Building Official, the ground water table elevation shall be determined by a licensed soils engineer using soil borings, piezometers, or the observation of mottled soils.

Unless otherwise determined by the Zoning Administrator, all structures shall be set back from individual septic systems in accordance with MPCA requirements.

(Ord. 325, SS, § 8, 2-5-2024)

A.

A-1 Permanent Agriculture District. The A-1, Permanent Agriculture District is intended to accommodate those farms willing to make long term commitments to agricultural operations. This district is intended to contain those areas of St. Francis in the rural service area where, because of the land capability, and capital investment in farming operations, it is necessary to preserve, promote, maintain, and enhance the use of land for long term agricultural purposes. This district will be used solely at the request of area farmers.

B.

A-2 Rural Estate-Agriculture District. The purpose of the A-2 District is to provide suitable areas of the City to be retained and utilized for agricultural uses, un-sewered residential in a rural pattern, and open space, and to prevent rapid urbanization and provide economy in public expenditures.

C.

UR Urban Reserve District. The purpose of the UR District is to reserve land for future urban development. Areas within this district face imminent urbanization. Uses which do not hinder the future possibility of urban development in the area, such as interim agriculture or large lot, un-sewered residential are appropriate in this district. At such time as the land is developed, the land shall be rezoned out of this district.

A.

Table 10-42-1 Principal Use Table - Agriculture Districts:

B.

Table 10-42-2 Accessory Use Table - Agriculture Districts.

(Ord. 290, SS, 1-18-2022; Ord. 291, SS, 1-18-2022; Ord. 305, SS, § 1, 2-21-2023; Ord. No. 343, SS, § 2, 1-21-2025)

A.

The minimum area and building size requirements to be allowed for each agricultural zoning district are listed in the table below.

B.

Table 10-42-3 Agricultural Lot Dimensions:

A.

The table below outlines minimum yard, area, and building size requirements to be provided for each agricultural zoning district.

B.

Table 10-42-4 Agricultural Site Dimensions:

A.

RR Rural Residential District. The purpose of the RR District is to accommodate and preserve existing un-sewered single unit residential homes developed at low densities (no greater than one (1) unit per five (5) acres). This district is not meant to be expanded further.

B.

R-1 Urban Low Density Detached Residential District. The purpose of the R-1, Urban Low Density Residential District is to provide for detached single unit residential uses served by municipal sanitary sewer. Two-unit residential uses may also be located in this district.

C.

R-2 Medium Density Detached and Attached Residential District. The R-2 District is intended to support a mixture of detached and attached residential units served by municipal sanitary sewer. This district is appropriate for smaller lot detached units and limited attached units such as townhomes and rowhouses.

D.

R-3 High Density Residential District. The R-3 District is intended to provide for higher density attached residential housing types in a vertical or horizontal orientation within the Urban Service Area. This district is intended to support areas of greater concentrations of commercial, employment, and public activity.

A.

Table 10-43-1 Principal Use Table—Residential Districts:

B.

Table 10-43-2 Accessory Use Table—Residential Districts.

(Ord. 291, SS, 1-18-2022; Ord. 305, SS, § 2, 2-21-2023; Ord. 325, SS, § 9, 2-5-2024)

A.

The minimum area and building size requirements to be allowed for each residential zoning district are listed in the table below.

B.

Table 10-43-3 Residential Lot Dimensions.

A.

The table below outlines minimum yard, area, and building size requirements to be provided for each residential zoning district.

B.

Table 10-43-4 Residential Site Dimensions:

A.

B-1 Central Business District. The purpose of the B-1, Central Business District, is to provide for the establishment of a mix of cultural, civic, entertainment, retail, service, office, and multi-unit housing uses in the area along the Bridge Street corridor. Consideration for pedestrian and bicycle access shall be integrated. To accomplish these goals, specific design standards have been established for the district.

B.

B-2 General Business District. The purpose of the B-2, General Business District is to provide for higher intensity retail, office, and service-oriented business along arterial roadways. The uses in this District shall be oriented toward motorists and rely on higher volumes of traffic.

C.

BPK Business Park District. The BPK district is intended to provide for a mix of compatible office and light industrial uses situated in transitional areas near the City's main transportation corridors. Uses in this district are limited to those that are compatible with lower intensity residential and business uses and which have limited amounts of truck traffic in comparison to higher intensity industrial uses.

D.

I-1 General Industrial District. The purpose of the I-1, General Industrial District is to provide areas suitable for the location of higher-intensity industrial activities which have adequate and convenient access to major streets and provide effective controls for "nuisance" and pollution characteristics. This district is intended to be located fully within the City's urban service area.

E.

I-2 Isolated Industrial District. The general intent of this district is to accommodate industrial users that, due to the nature of their operations, must be isolated from urban areas.

A.

Table 10-44-1 Principal Use Table—Business and Industrial Districts:

B.

Table 10-44-2 Accessory Use Table—Business and Industrial Districts:

(Ord. 291, SS, 1-18-2022; Ord. 317, § 1, 6-20-2023; Ord. 325, SS, § 10, 2-5-2024; Ord. No. 329, SS, 5-20-2024; Ord. No. 331, SS, 6-17-2024; Ord. No. 343, SS, § 3, 1-21-2025)

A.

The minimum area and building size requirements to be allowed for each business and industrial zoning district are listed in the table below.

B.

Table 10-44-3 Business and Industrial Lot Dimensions:

(Ord. No. 342, SS, § 1, 1-6-2025)

A.

The table below outlines minimum yard, area, and building size requirements to be provided for each business and industrial zoning district.

B.

Table 10-44-4 Business and Industrial Site Dimensions:

¹ For sites which include three or more street frontages, differing setbacks may apply. The maximum setback requirement along secondary streets may be increased as approved by the Zoning Administrator.

(Ord. 317, SS, § 2, 6-20-2023)

A.

Purpose. The purpose of the B-1 Design Standards is to enhance the district's role as a key destination in St. Francis and surrounding communities. These standards represent the minimum requirements to enhance design of the district as explored within the Bridge Street Design Guidelines, adopted in 2019.

B.

Site Design Standards.

1.

Parking Lot Location. Parking lots shall be prohibited between Bridge Street and the front of any principal building.

2.

Driveway Access.

a.

Properties that are both located on Bridge Street and west of the Rum River:

Driveways/accesses shall be limited to a side street or alley; existing driveways/accesses on Bridge Street may continue to be used or be relocated on Bridge Street, per County approval, but no new curb cuts shall be added.

b.

All other properties shall be required to meet driveway access standards in compliance with the rest of the City Code and any applicable County or State access standards.

3.

Trash and Loading Location. Trash receptacles and loading areas shall be limited to the rear of the building. These areas shall be fully screened from the right-of-way and adjacent properties, in compliance with Part 10-73-00.

C.

Building Design Standards.

1.

Building Frontage. At least 70 percent of the ground floor frontage on Bridge Street shall be used for publicly-accessible, non-residential, active use purposes including but not limited to storefronts, business lobbies, and meeting areas. This provision shall apply to the first 30 feet behind the building façade on Bridge Street.

2.

Entries.

a.

Properties on Bridge Street. The primary entrance shall orient towards Bridge Street; this entrance's placement may be at the corner of the building to also orient towards a side yard parking lot, if applicable.

b.

All other properties. The primary entrance shall orient towards the front yard/front lot line; this entrance's placement may be at the corner of the building to also orient towards a side yard parking lot, if applicable.

3.

Rooftops. All rooftop mechanical equipment, including stair towers and elevators, shall be fully screened from view from the public right-of-way and adjacent properties.

4.

Façade Articulation and Details. Buildings shall be designed so that building material, color, or massing changes at least every 60 linear feet for all street facing sides of the building. Massing changes may be accomplished through use of articulation details such as cornices, molding, columns, pilasters, or other ornamentation as well as vertical recess or projections of the wall face.

5.

Windows/Transparency.

a.

All street-facing building walls shall be at least 30% transparent.

b.

Windows shall be installed at regular intervals along the length of the building.

6.

Awnings/Canopies.

a.

Awnings/Canopies shall have a minimum clearance of eight (8) feet above the ground level unless projecting over a vehicular right-of-way, in which case clearance shall be 14 feet.

b.

In no event shall an awning/canopy extend more than three (3) feet into a public right-of-way if the building façade on which it is placed abuts a public right-of-way.

(Ord. 317, § 3, 6-20-2023)