Windows.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 550.590
in effect550.590. - Windows.
(a) In general. Minimum window area at the first floor or ground level shall be measured between two (2) and ten (10) feet above the adjacent grade. Minimum window area on walls above the first floor shall be measured between the upper surface of a floor and the upper surface of the floor above, except that window area on the topmost story shall be measured on that portion of a building included between the upper surface of the topmost floor and the ceiling. Windows are required on any portion of wall that extends more than six (6) feet above the adjacent grade.
(b) Residential uses. Twenty (20) percent of the walls on the first floor and ten (10) percent of the walls on each floor above the first that face a public street, public sidewalk, or public pathway, shall be windows. Ten (10) percent of the walls on each floor facing an on-site parking lot shall be windows, provided the parking lot is not located between the building and a public street, public sidewalk or public pathway.
(c) Nonresidential uses. Thirty (30) percent of the walls on the first floor and ten (10) percent of the walls on each floor above the first that face a public street, public sidewalk, or public pathway, shall be windows. The required window area shall increase to forty (40) percent on the first-floor wall facing a public street designated as a goods and services corridor. Ten (10) percent of the walls on each floor facing an on-site parking lot shall be windows, provided the parking lot is not located between the building and a public street, public sidewalk, or public pathway. Required windows shall be as follows:
(1) Windows shall be vertical in proportion.
(2) Windows shall be distributed in a more or less even manner.
(3) The bottom of any window used to satisfy the ground floor window requirement may not be more than four (4) feet above the adjacent grade.
(4) First floor or ground floor windows shall have clear or lightly tinted glass with a visible light transmittance ratio of six-tenths (0.6) or higher.
(5) First floor or ground floor windows shall allow views into and out of the building at eye level. Shelving, mechanical equipment or other similar fixtures shall not block views into and out of the building in the area between four (4) and seven (7) feet above the adjacent grade. However, window area in excess of the minimum required area shall not be required to allow views into and out of the building.
(6) In multiple tenant buildings, each individual ground level tenant space that faces a public street, public sidewalk, or public pathway, shall comply with the minimum window requirements of this section.
Source: City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MICOOR_TIT20ZOCO_CH550DEST_ARTVSIPLREST_550.590WIFetched: 11/2/2026