The city is updating the zoning ordinance that was last overhauled in 1992. The first phase revised the residential districts, which are now called neighborhood zoning districts, and was adopted by the city council on March 3, 2025.

The purpose of this zoning code update-phase 2 is to review the remainin sections of the zoning ordinance:

• The zoning districts pertaining to commercial, office, industrial, business park, mixed-use, planned unit development, and park and open space. This review will look at:
  • The uses allowed in each district
  • The manner in which the uses are approved. Administratively (permitted, permitted with standards, and accessory uses), or requiring city council approval (conditional use permit)
  • Standards to be applied to specific uses
  • Dimensional standards such as setbacks, height limits, etc. 

• The performance standards section of the zoning ordinance, which includes regulations pertaining to:
  • Parking
  • Signage
  • Lighting
  • Landscaping
  • Architectural standards

• Administrative procedures for approving certain land use activities such as:
  • Planned unit developments
  • Conditional use permits
  • Variances
  • Amendments
  • Special permits
  • Enforcement
  • Exceptions to yard requirements
  • Fence regulations
  • Exceptions to height requirements
  • Temporary uses
  • Home occupations

While this list is extensive, there are other aspects of the code that are essentially administrative or less substantive than the items on this list. Contact the zoning administrator if you have any questions about something on the list, or a subject you don't see on the list.

The draft 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 I Introductory Provisions.  Article I establishes the technical aspects of how the zoning ordinance is structured, interpreted, and enforced. 

Article II General Zoning Provisions.  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 Neighborhood Base Districts.Article III was the focus of the Zoning Code Update-Phase 1 which was adopted by the city council in 2025. Article III covers the Neighborhood zoning districts and will have some formatting amendments as part of the Zoning Code Update-Phase 2 to accommodate the changes made to the remaining nine articles. No substantiative changes are being made to Article III.

Article IV Non-Neighborhood Base Districts.  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 Planned Unit Developments.  Article V is where all the current planned unit developments can be found.

Article VI Overlay Districts.  Article VI is where the Floodplain, Travel Demand Management, and Historic Walker Lake overlay zoning districts can be found. 

Article VII Use Specific Standards.  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 Development Standards.  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 Procedures.  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 Definitions.  Article X contains the definitions for common terms used in the ordinance and descriptions of the land uses listed in the zoning districts. 

At the July 16, 2025 planning commission study session, the commission discussed a draft zoning map that proposes the following changes for the non-neighborhood zoning districts:

1. Remove the office zoning district.

2. Reduce the size of the C-2 zoning district

3. Create a third Mixed-Use district.

a. Rename the current MX-2 district (Historic WalkerLake area) to MX-1.

b. Rename the current MX-1 district to MX-2

c. Create the MX-3 district to cover primarily the transit areas and the West End area.

4. Replace the Business Park district properties with MX zoning.

5. Replace the C-1 zoning district with MX-1.

The proposed map is subject to change as we continue to review the uses and standards of each zoning district. Please review the proposed zoning map and respond to Gary Morrison, zoning administrator with any questions or comments that you have.  

Click here to view a PDF of the proposed zoning map.

There are multiple ways to learn more about the proposed zoning code update and provide input. Below is a schedule of events and meetings you could participate in. Check back for updates to this schedule as it will change throughout the summer and fall.

Outreach opportunities:

• Zoning Code Update open house. Staff will be available to answer questions. There will not be a presentation, so come at anytime during the open house to ask your questions. 
  • First open house:
    • When: May 21, 2016
    • Time: 10 am to noon
    • Where: City hall - first floor community room
  • Second open house:
    • When: May 27, 2026
    • Time: 5 pm to 7 pm
    • Where: City hall - first floor community room

     

• Fire Station Open House. There will be staff available at a zoning code update table to answer questions in person.
  • When: June 16, 2026
  • Time: 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
  • Where: Fire Station 1

• If you are unable to attend one of these meetings, you can reach out to Gary Morrison, Zoning Administrator to ask your question. Call: 952-924-2592 or email: gmorrison@stlouisparkmn.gov.

Contact the city

• Sign up for updates.
  • Click on the "Sign up for updates" button on the project webpage.
• Reach out to the zoning administrator at any time if you have questions about the zoning code update.
  • Gary Morrison, zoning administrator. 952.924.2592 or gmorrison@stlouisparkmn.gov

Zoning code update–- phase 2 survey

• Thank you for participating in the survey. See the link above for the results of the survey.

Planning commission meetings

• The next planning commission meeting will be conducted after the outreach meetings have been completed.
• Check back for planning commission meeting dates.

Please note that timelines posted on this page are subject to change as a result of public comment or other unforeseen event. Check back for updates to the timeline, or sign up to get updates emailed to you. 

Ordinance posted. The proposed ordinance has been posted on this project page, and can be viewed in the expandable menu above labeled "View the draft zoning ordinance"

Pubic comments/questions. We are conducting public comment/question opportunities in May and June. See the expandable menu above labeled "Opportunities to learn more about the update" for time and location.

Public hearing. The ordinance is tentatively scheduled for a public hearing before the planning commission on June 17, 2026. The public hearing date will be finalized after the public comment/question open houses conducted at city hall are completed. So, check back here for confirmation of the meeting and to get details about the meeting. 

City council action. Pending the outcome of the public hearing, the ordinance will go to the city council for action potentially in July and/or August. City council meeting dates will be finalized and posted after the planning commission completes the public hearing. 

This page will be updated as we progress through the timeline. So, check back for meeting dates, or sign up for updates on the link above.

Why is this important?

The zoning ordinance hasn't undergone a comprehensive review since 1990. While there have been some minor amendments throughout the year, the city determined that it is time to complete a more comprehensive review to ensure that the ordinance is consistent with the city's strategic priorities and the current needs of the community.

What type of engagement will there be with the community?

The city will continually update the project webpage and story map. Additionally, there will be a survey made available in the early summer to solicit input on specific topics. There will also be open house opportunities during the summer. Check back frequently for these opportunities or sign up for updates to be informed of the next engagement opportunity.

Who should I contact if I have questions about this project?

Our project team is happy to answer any questions! If you have further questions about the project, you can call or email the project manager, Gary Morrison, at 952.924.2592 or gmorrison@stlouisparkmn.gov.