Zoning Code
The City of St. Louis Park's zoning ordinance, chapter 36 of the city code, establishes regulations and minimum requirements controlling the location, construction, alteration and use of structures and land within the city.
The ordinance creates use districts, which regulates what activities are permitted in different parts of the city. For example, city council may determine that a heavy industrial zone is not appropriate in a certain location because of its proximity to sensitive environmental features or residential districts. Zoning also creates minimum and maximum standards for yard area (setbacks), architectural materials, height and parking. The purpose of the ordinance is the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the community.
Zoning map
The city's official zoning map shows the different districts and their boundaries. St. Louis Park has 11 zoning districts, numerous Planned Unit Development zoning districts, and three overlay districts. The zoning district associated with a property can be found on the zoning map; the standards for each district are located in the zoning ordinance.
The zoning district of a property may be modified by city council. When considering modifications to the official zoning map, city council considers the request of the applicant, recommendations of city staff and the St. Louis Park Planning Commission, and guidance found in the city's comprehensive plan.
View St. Louis Park's official zoning map or view an interactive city zoning map.
Zoning code
The zoning ordinance was amended by the city council on August 3, 2026 and the amended zoning ordinance took effect on August 28, 2026. Due to the size of the amendment, the conversion from ordinance form to a codified form is underway and the final codified form will be posted when the conversion is completed. Until then, the ordinance form is available below for your convenience.
The zoning ordinance is divided into ten articles; each article represents specific topics.
For your convenience, each article listed below is a link that will open a pdf of that article.
Article 1 establishes the technical aspects of how the zoning ordinance is structured, interpreted and enforced.
Article II establishes the zoning districts and map. It also includes simple regulations that apply to all zoning districts such as the traffic visibility triangle and exceptions to building height and yards.
Article III was the focus of phase 1 of the zoning code update, which was adopted by the city council in 2025. Article III covers the neighborhood zoning districts and will have some formatting amendments was part of phase 3 to accommodate the changes made to the remaining nine articles. No substantiative changes are being made to Article III.
Article IV establishes which uses are allowed in the proposed mixed-use, business, industrial, and park and open space zoning districts. It also establishes the development standards such as minimum required yards, maximum allowed height, etc.
Article V is where all the current planned unit developments can be found.
Article VI is where the floodplain, travel demand management, and Historic Walker Lake overlay zoning districts can be found.
Some land uses are allowed with standards (conditions) that are unique to a specific land use. Article VII is a list of these land uses and the standards associated with them.
Article VIII is a list of performance standards and all of the regulations associated with them. These performance standards include parking, landscaping, fences, architectural, lighting and signage.
Article IX establishes common application procedures and requirements. This includes how to apply for a conditional use permit, planned unit development, variance and other applications.
Article X contains the definitions for common terms used in the ordinance and descriptions of the land uses listed in the zoning districts.
Recently adopted ordinances not included in the zoning code
To view the content of ordinances referenced in the zoning code, please visit our Laserfiche Weblink document repository.
The zoning code is updated biannually.
Contacts
Community Development Department
952.924.2588