Nonconforming lots.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 545.990
in effect545.990. - Nonconforming lots.
(a) General restriction; exception. No building, structure or use shall be erected, constructed or established on a nonconforming lot unless a variance is granted by the board of adjustment, except as otherwise provided in this section. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, in the urban neighborhood and residential mixed-use districts, a single-, two-, or three-family dwelling and a congregate living use serving six (6) or fewer persons shall be permitted on a lot of record existing on the effective date of this ordinance, and in the UN3, residential mixed-use, commercial mixed-use, and downtown zoning districts, a residential building with four (4) or more dwelling units shall be permitted on a lot of record existing on the effective date of this ordinance, provided that the yard dimensions and all other requirements for the district in which the lot is located, not involving lot area or lot width, shall be met.
(b) Required merger of common ownership lots in the SH Shoreland Overlay District. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (a) and maximum lot area requirements, if in a group of two (2) or more contiguous lots or parcels of land owned or controlled by the same person, any individual lot or parcel is nonconforming as to lot width or lot area and is located within the SH Shoreland Overlay District, such individual lot or parcel shall not be sold or developed as a separate parcel of land, but shall be combined with adjacent lots or parcels under the same ownership or control so that the combination of lots or parcels will equal one (1) or more parcels of land each meeting the full lot width and lot area requirements of this zoning ordinance, and Chapter 598 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, Land Subdivision Regulations.
(c) Lots nonconforming as to maximum lot area. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (a), a lot that is nonconforming as to the maximum lot area of the zoning district only shall have all of the rights of a conforming lot. Such lots shall not be enlarged except as allowed in Chapter 540, Built Form Overlay Districts, Article VIII, Lot Dimensions.
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_CH545USRE_ARTVINOUSST_545.990NOLOFetched: 11/2/2026