The plan approved by the Minneapolis City Council on Dec. 7 upzones the city to allow for triplexes in all neighborhoods, even those now reserved for single-family homes, and 3-to-6 story buildings along some transit corridors. The plan offers guidance on how to keep Minneapolis affordable, environmentally friendly and racially equitable as the population grows over the next two decades.
Since its release this spring, the plan has sparked a vigorous debate on whether the proposed changes will adequately accomplish this ambitious vision for the future, or if such rapid change all at once will invite developers to destroy the city’s characters in the name of profitable multi-unit housing. The City Council made numerous changes to the proposal, which will now be submitted to the Metropolitan Council.
The searchable map below allows you to discover what the approved plan allows in your neighborhood.
2040 Plan Built Forms The Minneapolis 2040 Plan built forms define how structures can be used on specific land areas including height and number of structures.
2040 Plan Land Use The Minneapolis 2040 Plan land use designations define the purpose of each parcel in the city.
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Community Mixed Use Large-scale mixed use development is encouraged throughout these areas, with commercial uses fronting on major streets. Active uses that are accessible to the general public such as office, food service, retail, or medical establishments are required at the street level; therefore single-use residential development is not permitted.
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Corridor Mixed Use Appropriate for commercial zoning and mixed use multi story development is encouraged.
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Destination Mixed Use Commercial retail uses are required at the street level to encourage pedestrian activity beyond the typical daytime business hours. Multi-story development is required.
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Goods and Services Corridor In addition to what's specified in the mixed use land use categories found in this section, Goods and Services Corridors identify where the establishment or expansion of commercial uses can be considered. Properties immediately adjacent to a Goods and Services Corridor may be considered for commercial activity, allowing for uses similar in scale and scope to the Neighborhood and Corridor Mixed Use categories
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Neighborhood Mixed Use Includes individual commercial uses and small collections of commercial uses, located primarily away from major streets, that should continue to serve their existing commercial function. Semi-permanent or temporary commercial retail establishments such as farmer’s markets are also appropriate.
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Neighborhood Office and Services In addition to the uses allowed in Urban Neighborhood, this category allows for greater flexibility in locating low impact commercial activity. Dental and medical services and offices, small scale lodging, and small scale retail are appropriate.
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Parks and Open Space Applies to land or water areas generally free from development. Park related uses such as amphitheaters, food service, parkways, and equipment rental are also permitted.
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Production Mixed Use Allows both production and non-production uses, recognizing that many buildings in these areas are no longer viable for modern production industries. Residential uses are allowed and must incorporate mitigation strategies to address potential conflicts between existing production uses and new residences.
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Production and Processing Suitable for a wide range of employment-focused development. These areas are designated with the intent of protecting them from encroaching non-industrial uses that could erode the diverse job base that these uses provide. Residential uses are strictly prohibited.
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Public, Office, and Institutional Accommodates major office centers, public and semi-public uses, including museums, hospitals, civic uses, and college and university campuses. Entertainment uses of greater intensity such as stadiums should be focused in downtown and university campuses.
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Transportation Allows for production and processing uses, but is typically utilized for transportation intensive uses that support commercial and production activity throughout the city.
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Urban Neighborhood A predominantly residential area with a range of allowed building types. May include small-scale institutional and semi-public uses (for example, schools, community centers, religious institutions, public safety facilities, etc.) scattered throughout. Commercial uses can continue serving their existing commercial function. Expansion of commercial uses and zoning into surrounding areas is not encouraged.
Current Minneapolis Zoning The current Minneapolis zoning code describes how land can be used in the city. There is a Primary Zoning code and an Overlay Zoning code (not defined or pictured here) that adjusts the Primary code for certain parts of the city.
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B4-1: Downtown Business This district provides an environment for retail and office activities of citywide and regional significance. The district also allows entertainment, residential and public uses which complete the mixed use character of the area.
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B4-2: Downtown Business This district provides an environment for retail and office activities of citywide and regional significance. The district also allows entertainment, residential and public uses which complete the mixed use character of the area.
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B4C-1: Downtown Commercial This district provides an environment for a wide range of commercial uses including a mix of retail, office, business services and limited industrial uses.
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B4C-2: Downtown Commercial This district provides an environment for a wide range of commercial uses including a mix of retail, office, business services and limited industrial uses.
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B4N: Downtown Neighborhood This district provides an environment that promotes the development of higher density neighborhoods surrounding the downtown office core with a variety of goods and services to support downtown living.
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B4S-1: Downtown Service This district provides an environment that promotes the development of mixed-use neighborhoods in a higher density, transit- and pedestrian-oriented, urban environment with a wide range of retail and office activities and high density residential uses and hotels.
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B4S-2: Downtown Service This district provides an environment that promotes the development of mixed-use neighborhoods in a higher density, transit- and pedestrian-oriented, urban environment with a wide range of retail and office activities and high density residential uses and hotels.
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C1: Neighborhood Commercial This district provides a convenient shopping environment of small scale retail sales and commercial services that are compatible with adjacent residential uses. Residential uses, institutional and public uses, parking facilities, limited production and processing and public services and utilities are also allowed.
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C2: Neighborhood Corridor Commercial This district provides an environment of retail sales and commercial services that are larger in scale than allowed in the C1 District and to allow a broader range of automobile related uses. Residential uses, institutional and public uses, parking facilities, limited production and processing and public services and utilities are also allowed.
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C3A: Community Activity Center This district provides for the development of major urban activity and entertainment centers with neighborhood scale retail sales and services. Residential uses, institutional and public uses, parking facilities, limited production and processing and public services and utilities are also allowed.
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C3S: Community Shopping Center This district provides for the development of major retail centers throughout the city, where both adequate land area and transportation access can be provided. Residential uses, institutional and public uses, parking facilities, limited production and processing and public services and utilities are also allowed.
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C4: General Commercial This district provides for a wide range of commercial development allowing a mix of retail, business services and limited industrial uses. Residential uses, institutional and public uses, parking facilities, and public services and utilities are also allowed.
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I1: Light Industrial This district provides for low impact and technology-based light industrial uses, research and development, and similar uses which produce little or no noise, odor, vibration, glare or other objectionable influences.
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I2: Medium Industrial This district provides for medium industrial uses and other specific uses which have the potential to produce greater amounts of noise, odor, vibration, glare or other objectionable influences than uses allowed in the I1 District.
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I3: General Industrial This district provides for high impact and outdoor general industrial uses and other specific uses which are likely to have a substantial adverse effect on the environment or on surrounding properties and require special measures and careful site selection to ensure compatibility with the surrounding area.
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OR1: Neighborhood Office Residence This district provides a small scale mixed use environment of low to moderate density dwellings and office uses. This district may serve as a transition between neighborhood commercial centers and surrounding residential uses.
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OR2: High Density Office Residence This district provides a mixed use environment of moderate to high density dwellings and large office uses, with additional small scale retail sales and services uses designed to serve the immediate surroundings. This district may serve as a transition between downtown and moderate to low density residential neighborhoods.
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OR3: Institutional Office Residence This district provides a mixed use environment of very high density dwellings, large office uses, and major institutions, with additional small scale retail sales and services uses designed to serve the immediate surroundings.
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R1: Single-family This district provides for an environment of predominantly low density, single-family dwellings and cluster developments on lots with a minimum of 6,000 square feet of lot area per dwelling unit. Institutional and public uses and public services and utilities may also be allowed.
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R1A: Single-family This district provides for an environment of predominantly low density, single-family dwellings and cluster developments on lots with a minimum of 5,000 square feet of lot area per dwelling unit. Institutional and public uses and public services and utilities may also be allowed.
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R2: Two-family This district provides for an environment of predominantly low density, single and two-family dwellings and cluster developments on lots with a minimum of 6,000 square feet of lot area per dwelling unit. Institutional and public uses and public services and utilities may also be allowed.
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R2B: Two-family This district provides for an environment of predominantly low density, single and two-family dwellings and cluster developments. Institutional and public uses and public services and utilities may also be allowed.
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R3: Multiple-family This district provides an environment of predominantly single and two-family dwellings, cluster developments and smaller multiple-family developments on lots with a minimum of 5,000 square feet and at least 1,500 square feet of lot area per dwelling unit. Institutional and public uses and public services and utilities may also be allowed.
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R4: Multiple-family This district provides an environment of predominantly medium density apartments and congregate living arrangements, single-family and two-family dwellings and cluster developments, on lots with a minimum of 5,000 square feet of lot area and at least 1,250 square feet of lot area per dwelling unit. Institutional and public uses and public services and utilities may also be allowed.
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R5: Multiple-family This district provides an environment of high density apartments, congregate living arrangements and cluster developments on lots with a minimum lot area of 5,000 square feet. Institutional and public uses and public services and utilities may also be allowed.
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R6: Multiple-family This district provides an environment of high density apartments, congregate living arrangements and cluster developments on lots with a minimum of 5,000 square feet of lot area. Institutional and public uses and public services and utilities may also be allowed.
