GENERAL STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL USES

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances tit. 20, ch. 550, art. III

in effect

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 550.300 Purpose.

550.300. - Purpose. General standards for residential uses are established to promote development that is compatible with nearby properties and urban neighborhood patterns, to promote public safety, to ensure clear and direct connection from the street to a primary building entrance, to visually enhance development, and to distinguish between different types of housing units.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 550.310 Size and width.

550.310. - Size and width. The following minimum size requirements shall apply to residential uses: (1) The minimum gross floor area of a dwelling unit, including accessory dwelling units, shall be three hundred (300) square feet. (2) The minimum gross floor area of single room occupancy housing units and rooming units allowed in congregate living uses shall be governed by the building code and Chapter 244, Housing Maintenance Code. (3) Not less than eighty (80) percent of the habitable floor area of a principal residential structure shall have a minimum width of eighteen (18) feet. (Ord. No. 2025-023, § 51, 5-15-2025)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 550.320 Principal entrance and pedestrian access.

550.320. - Principal entrance and pedestrian access. (a) Single-, two-, and three-family dwellings. Single-, two-, and three-family dwellings shall include a principal entrance facing the front lot line. In dwellings with more than one (1) unit, providing all units access to a shared front facing entrance is encouraged. Subject to Table 540-22, Permitted Obstructions in Required Yards, the principal entrance and at least one (1) entrance for each dwelling unit shall be connected to the public sidewalk by a hard-surfaced walkway not less than three (3) feet in width and shall include stairs where needed. Where no public sidewalk exists, the walkway shall extend to the public street. The principal entrance may face a side lot line when part of a front vestibule or extended portion of the front facade, provided the entrance is located no further than eight (8) feet from the facade closest to the street. (b) All other residential uses. Residential buildings shall be oriented so that at least one (1) principal entrance faces a public street. Clear and well-lighted walkways at least four (4) feet in width shall connect building entrances to the adjacent public sidewalk and to any parking facilities located on the site. In the case of a corner lot, the principal entrance shall face the front lot line.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 550.330 Windows.

550.330. - Windows. (a) Single-, two-, and three-family dwellings. Not less than fifteen (15) percent of the walls on each floor of single-, two-, and three-family dwellings that face a public street shall be windows. The bottom of any window used to satisfy the ground floor window requirement facing a public street shall not be more than four (4) feet above the adjacent first floor elevation. Not less than five (5) percent of the walls on each floor of single-, two-, and three-family dwellings that face a rear or interior side lot line shall be windows. Windows located in a door shall not be counted toward satisfying the minimum window requirement. (b) All other residential uses. Residential buildings shall maintain compliance with the residential window requirements of Article V, Site Plan Review in this chapter, except the requirements of section (a) above shall apply to state credentialed care facilities serving six (6) or fewer persons. (c) Half stories. Half stories shall not be subject to the minimum window requirement. (d) Window area computation. 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. (Ord. No. 2025-023, § 52, 5-15-2025)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 550.340 Attached garages.

550.340. - Attached garages. Attached accessory uses designed or intended for the parking of vehicles accessory to single-, two-, or three-family dwellings shall extend no more than five (5) feet closer to the front lot line than the facade of a habitable portion of the first story of the dwelling when the garage door or doors face the front lot line. In addition, the width of the garage wall facing the front lot line, including basement-level garages, shall not exceed sixty (60) percent of the width of the entire structure.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 550.350 Conversions.

550.350. - Conversions. The addition of a dwelling unit or units that result in a two- or three-family dwelling shall be subject to the following standards: (1) Fire escapes or stairs that provide access above the ground floor shall be enclosed or located entirely to the rear of the principal residential structure. (2) Mechanical equipment, including utility boxes and panels, shall not be located on the front building facade. (3) Windows in additions that face a street shall be compatible with the existing windows of the street-facing walls. (4) Exterior materials that face a street shall be compatible with the existing exterior materials of the street-facing walls.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 550.360 Single kitchen in a dwelling unit.

550.360. - Single kitchen in a dwelling unit. An individual dwelling unit shall include not more or less than one (1) kitchen. A wet bar shall not be considered a kitchen. Kitchen and wet bar facilities are defined in Chapter 565, Definitions.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 550.370 Nonconformities.

550.370. - Nonconformities. A residential building nonconforming as to the requirements in this article shall have all the rights of a conforming building, except that said building shall not be enlarged, altered, or relocated in such a way as to increase its nonconformity with these requirements.

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_ARTIIIGESTREUSFetched: 11/2/2026