Zoning Ordinance Update Project
The City of Bloomington is engaged in a multiyear effort to update its Zoning Ordinance and related City Code provisions. The current Zoning Ordinance was largely written in the 1950s and has, until recently, never been comprehensively updated. The overall project is divided into many smaller subprojects. Each year, the City completes several subprojects. As the update occurs, text is transitioned from Chapter 19 to Chapter 21 of the City Code.
The following projects are underway at this time:
Self-Storage Moratorium
On June 22, 2020, the City Council adopted an interim ordinance that establishes a moratorium on the development, construction, or expansion of self-storage facilities in the City. Given the nature of self-storage as a low-employment, low-activity use, there are concerns that Bloomington is absorbing a disproportionate share of the region’s self-storage demand. Council has directed staff to complete a planning study assessing the need for revisions to the city’s official controls. The moratorium is scheduled to last for up to one year, but could be lifted sooner upon completion of the study and adoption of code amendments.
Staff completed the study in 2020, and reviewed findings with the Planning Commission and City Council. At its December 14, 2020 study meeting, the City Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance including staff's recommended guidelines. These are found in the case file linked below.
Planning Commission public hearing is scheduled for March 11, 2021. If the item is moved forward to City Council, the tentative date is scheduled for April 5, 2021.
Click here for case file information, uploaded documents, and public hearing dates.
For more information, contact Shawn James, Planner at sjames@bloomingtonmn.gov or 952-563-8918
Food Truck Standards
At its May 18, 2020 public hearing, the City Council decided to continue indefinitely an ordinance addressing standards for food trucks. Staff anticipates this item to be addressed once food service establishment operations begin to return to normal following the COVID-19 pandemic. To receive notifications about upcoming meeting agendas, submit your email in the E-Subscribe box in the right column.
Potential changes include:
- A new food truck license
- New standards to allow food trucks to operate outside of special events (with permission of the property owner)
Click here for case file information.
Below are materials from the May 18, 2020 City Council meeting.
Completed Updates
- Accessory dwelling unit standards
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Additional Wall signage in Lieu of Freestanding Sign for Tall Buildingss.pdf
Animal and Agriculture standards
- Application processes
- B-2 rezonings
- B-4 District drive-through standards
- B-4 Rezonings
2015 Beekeeping and animal shelter standards
Beekeeping Standards Ordinance
- Bell tower and steeple standards
- Billboards
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Bluff Standards.pdf
- Body art establishment standards
- C-4 rezonings
Chicken Ordinance.pdf
Church standards update and RLUIPA compliance
- Class VI sign district standards and sign code definitions
- Commercial zoning districts
- Conditional and Interim Use Permit approval process amendments
CX-2 Zoning District Standards.pdf
2015 Durable goods standards
- Electronic message board and video display signs
Electric Vehicle Charging Ordinance
- Exterior construction
Exterior Materials
Farmers Market Final Ordinance.pdf
- Fees updates - 2009
- Fence standards
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Firearm and Firing Range Facility Standards
- Height standards
- Home occupation/business standards
- HX-R - Mixed-use zoning district for South Loop
- Institutional Use Standards
IndustrialOrdinance_adopted_01.07.19.pdf
- Interim Use ordinance amendments
- Landscaping and screening standards
- Lighting standards
2015 Master sign plan amendments
2015 Medical marijuana distribution facilities
- Miscellaneous rezonings
- 2020 Miscellaneous Issues Ordinance
2019 Miscellaneous Issues Clean Up Items
2018 Miscellaneous Issues Clean Up Items.pdf
2017 Miscellaneous Issues Ordinance
2016_Miscellaneous_Issues_Ordinance.pdf
2018 Miscellaneous Issues Ordinances
- 2012 Miscellaneous issues ordinance
- 2011 Miscellaneous issues ordinance
- 2010 Miscellaneous issues ordinance
- 2009 Miscellaneous issues ordinance
- 2008 Miscellaneous issues ordinance
- 2007 Miscellaneous issues ordinance
- 2006 Miscellaneous issues ordinance
- Mixed use districts, motor vehicle sales, and nonconformities
- Moratorium – Penn American Area
Noise Attenuation Ordinance
- Nonconformity standards
- Opportunity Housing Ordinance
- Park dedication standards
- Parking and loading standards
- Pawnshop and secondhand goods dealer standards
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Pet Services Facility in C3 Zoning District
- Planning Commission amendments
- Platting/Subdivision regulations
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Recreational Vehicle Standards.pdf
- Residential zoning update
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Restaurant Standards.pdf
2015 Residential zoning update - Phase II
Rezoning of 98th St and Lyndale Ave from B-2 General Commercial to B-4 Neighborhood Commercial
- Runway related airport overlay zoning district
Sign brightness, decorative light sources and other lighting amendments adopted August 19, 2013
Special Events Update Council Agenda
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Taproom and Cocktail Rooms Standard.pdf
- Temporary conditional uses - reclassification
- Transportation Demand Management
- Tree preservation, residential building height and lot width standards
- Two-family dwelling standards
- Two-family dwelling, tent and special events amendments