Updated July 2025

The zoning code update was approved by the city council on March 3, 2025 

The ordinance is now in effect. See below for a summary of the changes. 

Summary of the new ordinance  and zoning map

To view a summary of the new residential zoning districts, click on this link: expanding neighborhood options story map. It will take you to a page that provides a summary of each of the four new neighborhood zoning districts and the new zoning map that shows where in the city the four neighborhood districts are located. 

See the links below to see the proposed ordinances in their complete form. Below is also a link to the new zoning map. It is an interactive map that will show you the old zoning and the new zoning of your property and neighborhood.

New zoning ordinance

Click on the links below to see the new zoning ordinances in their entirety. 

Article I General. This article has minor changes to definitions.

Article IV Division 1 Generally. This article has minor changes that essentially change the residential district names to the proposed neighborhood names.

Article IV Division 2 Land Use. This article lists descriptions of uses allowed city wide. It's here where you will see the description of the proposed dwelling types. They are found under the "Residential uses" heading. 

Article IV Division 4 Zoning Districts. This article is where the majority of the changes are made. The proposal is to delete the current Article IV Division 4 in its entirety and replace it with this draft. It is here where you will see what uses are permitted in each of the proposed neighborhood districts and also the standards by which they are allowed. While this is a complete replacement of the current division, we will note that many of the regulations are carried forward from the current code without change or with minimal changes. The significant change, of course, is the additional housing types proposed in each of the zoning districts. 

Additional administrative amendments are made to change references throughout the zoning ordinance required primarily due to the name change from residential zoning districts to neighborhood zoning districts. 

Proposed zoning map

View the interactive zoning map that will show the old and new zoning for all residential properties in St. Louis Park. You can view the city as a whole, or zoom into your property to view the changes. 

City Council meeting 

The city council approved the second reading of the proposed ordinance and zoning map on March 3, 2025. The council voted 7-0 to approve the proposed zoning ordinance and zoning map as recommended by the planning commission with one exception to delete a provision requiring additional setbacks for attached garages.

Planning commission public hearing

The planning commission conducted a public hearing Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 . The agenda packet is available for review and a recording of the meeting.  

The planning commission recommended approval of the ordinance, comprehensive plan amendment, and zoning map amendment. The zoning map amendment was recommended for approval with two changes:

1. Recommendation to rezone 2800 Toledo to Park and Open Space instead of N-1.

2. Recommendation to rezone 3940 France Ave S to Park and Open Space instead of N-1.

Open houses

Several open houses were held in June 2024 at a variety locations and different times of day to provide opportunities to meet in person with city staff about the changes. The open houses were held June 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 24 and 27. There was also a recorded virtual meeting. The last informational open house was held on Dec. 19, 2024.

Word was spread about this effort in the Park Perspective city newsletter mailed to residents, posts on social media platforms, staff tabling at Parktacular, email notifications to people that signed up for updates regarding this project, and most recently an email sent to every person that has signed up for citywide notifications.

Proposed zoning code updates to allow more housing types in more places

The zoning ordinance hasn't been substantially updated since 1992. This update includes a review of all housing types, where they could be located within the city and performance standards (lot sizes, setbacks, height, etc.). The city's comprehensive plan promotes expanding the diversity and affordability of housing options in the community's neighborhoods. Providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood-oriented development is a strategic priority. And a zoning code audit completed in 2022 highlighted several issues that needed to be addressed.

How do I learn more?

• View the zoning code updates background video below.
  
  

• View a description of how to navigate the story map, add comment directly on a map and responding to survey questions for each district below.
  
  

• Click the "sign up for updates" link on the right side of this page.