Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.10 Title.
598.10. - Title.
Chapter 598 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances shall be known and may be cited as the Land Subdivision Regulations of the City of Minneapolis.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances tit. 22, ch. 598, art. I
in effectMinneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.20 Authority.
598.20. - Authority.
These land subdivision regulations are enacted pursuant to the authority granted to the municipality by Minnesota Statutes sections 462.351 through 462.365, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 505, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 508, and the Minneapolis City Charter, Chapter 13, Section 5.
(2000-Or-049, § 1, 5-19-2000; 2013-Or-238, § 1, 12-13-2013)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.30 Purpose.
598.30. - Purpose.
These land subdivision regulations are adopted for the following purposes:
(1) To implement the policies of the comprehensive plan.
(2) To promote and protect the public health, safety aesthetics, economic viability and general welfare of the city.
(3) To provide for the orderly, economic and safe development of land and the preservation of community character.
(4) To provide for the protection and conservation of natural features, including lakes, river, streams, floodplains, wetlands, steep slopes, shorelands, vegetation, soils and other natural features.
(5) To protect and conserve the value of land, buildings and other improvements throughout the city.
(6) To minimize conflicts among the uses of land and buildings by designating their location and nature and controlling the sequence of development.
(7) To provide for the safe and efficient circulation of all modes of transportation, including transit, pedestrian and bicycle traffic, with particular regard to the avoidance of congestion in the streets and highways.
(8) To provide for the proper installation and maintenance of adequate public services and facilities, including water, sewer, stormwater drainage and storage areas, streets, alleys, sidewalks, lighting, parks and open space and similar improvements.
(9) To provide for the administration of this chapter including procedures and standards for subdivision approval and the granting of variances from the requirements of this chapter.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.40 Scope of regulations.
598.40. - Scope of regulations.
These land subdivision regulations shall apply to all subdivision of land into two (2) or more parcels, by platting, lot division, registered land survey, conveyance or other means, except as otherwise provided by this chapter, including but not limited to Condominium Plats prepared pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 515A and Common Interest Community Plats prepared pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 515B, provided this chapter shall not apply to any condominium plat or common interest community plat that is prepared for the exclusive purpose of recording the subdivision of an existing building or an existing condominium unit and common areas not involving changes to the building area, site plan or use. These land subdivision regulations shall also apply to the assembly of two (2) or more contiguous parcels into a single lot by plat or registered land survey, pursuant to section 598.120(c).
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.50 Restrictions on subdivisions, conveyances and improvements.
598.50. - Restrictions on subdivisions, conveyances and improvements.
No person shall subdivide land, convey land or obtain a building permit without first obtaining subdivision approval as required by these land subdivision regulations.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.60 Definitions.
598.60. - Definitions.
Words and terms not defined in this section shall have the same meaning as described in the zoning code. As used in this chapter, the following words shall mean:
City engineer. The director of the department of public works or their designee.
Lot line adjustment. Where platted lots share common boundaries and the common boundaries are being redrawn to create new legal descriptions, but no additional lots or parcels are created.
Minor subdivision. A subdivision of one (1) or more lots or parcels that creates no more than two (2) lots or parcels.
Outlot. Any lot which is created by subdivision which will not be developed for any use other than open space, private or public park, or common area within a condominium plat prepared pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 515A or a common interest community plat prepared pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 515B. Outlots prepared for common area may have parking, associated driveways and drive aisles, and other improvements associated with the project that are an integral feature of the common area as approved in conjunction with a cluster development or planned unit development site plan.
Planning director. The director of the department of community planning and economic development or their designee.
Plat. The drawing or map of a subdivision prepared for filing of record pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 505.
Registered land survey. The drawing or map of a subdivision prepared for filing of record pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 508.
Subdivider. Any person with a legal or equitable interest in land who submits an application to the city for approval of the subdivision of that land.
Subdivision. The separation, including the resubdivision, of an area, parcel or tract of land under single or joint ownership into two (2) or more parcels, tracts, lots or long-term leasehold interests where the creation of the leasehold interest necessitates the creation of streets, roads or alleys, for residential, commercial, industrial or other use or any combination thereof, except those separations:
(1) Where all the resulting parcels, tracts, lots or interests will be twenty (20) acres or larger in size and five hundred (500) feet in width for residential uses, and five (5) acres or larger in size for commercial and industrial uses;
(2) Creating cemetery lots;
(3) Resulting from court orders, or the adjustment of a lot line by the relocation of a common boundary. Any division of land so decreed which does not meet zoning chapter requirements for lot area, lot with, lot sides, or which does not have the required frontage on a public right-of-way is not a buildable lot, unless otherwise allowed by these regulations or the zoning ordinance;
(4) Resulting from acquisition by governmental agencies for public improvements or uses.
Used as a verb, subdivision is the process of separating land. Used as a noun, a subdivision is the land itself after it has been subdivided.
Subdivision approval. Approval of a subdivider's application for subdivision granted by the city evidenced by the city's signature on a final plat or registered land survey or, in the case of minor subdivisions, evidenced by a resolution of the city recorded in the Office of the Hennepin County Recorder or Registrar of Titles.
Tax parcel combination. Where two (2) or more platted lots with separate tax or property identification numbers are combined under one (1) tax or property identification number for the purpose of receiving a single-tax statement.
Tax parcel split. Where two (2) or more platted lots that were combined under one (1) tax or property identification number for the purpose of receiving a single-tax statement are assigned new tax or property identification numbers for two (2) or more of the platted lots.
Zoning administrator. The individual designated by the director of the department of community planning and economic development to serve as the city's zoning administrator or their authorized representative.
(2013-Or-226, § 1, 12-6-2013; 2013-Or-238, § 2, 12-13-2013)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.70 Development plan required.
598.70. - Development plan required.
(a) In general. In order to accomplish the purposes of these land subdivision regulations, each subdivider shall submit as part of its application for subdivision approval a development plan consisting of a statement of the proposed use of all portions of the land to be subdivided and a site plan showing all existing and planned development including the location of structures, parking areas, easements, reservations of land, drainage, sewerage, fire protection, building elevations, landscaping, screening and bufferyards, and similar matters, as well as the location of existing public facilities and services.
(b) Undeveloped outlots. A subdivider may identify portions of the land to be subdivided which the subdivider intends to reserve for future development as an undeveloped outlot, rather than showing planned development, subject to the following:
(1) Before any further subdivision of the outlot, the subdivider shall submit a complete application for subdivision approval, subject to all requirements of this chapter, including the payment of application and submittal fees.
(2) Whether or not the proposed development requires further subdivision of the outlot, the subdivider shall submit a development plan to the city for review and approval pursuant to this chapter before developing any outlot created by subdivision for any use other than open space or private or public park. In the event the proposed development does not require further subdivision of the outlot, the city's review of the development plan shall be deemed a continuation of the subdivider's original subdivision application and the subdivider shall not be required to pay an additional subdivision application fee.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the planning commission may waive the requirement to plat a lot or lots reserved for future development as an outlot or outlots where the subdivider can demonstrate the lots are of a sufficient width and area to allow future development without the need for variances and, there are no issues of access, grade or other hazards or issues that would make securing a building permit difficult. In no case shall the requirement be waived where a lot would not have frontage on a public street, would not meet the minimum requirements of the zoning ordinance and these regulations or would create a nonconformity to the zoning ordinance, building code, or these land subdivision regulations.
(4) An outlot may not be further subdivided except by replat.
(c) Conditions and assurances. In addition to other conditions of final subdivision approval that the city may require the subdivider to satisfy under this chapter, the city may require the subdivider to do one or more of the following:
(1) Revise the development plan to conform with the requirements of this chapter and any other laws affecting the design and improvement of the subdivision.
(2) Provide reasonable assurances that all improvements to the subdivision will be consistent with the development plan, as modified by the subdivider and approved by the city. The city may require such assurances to run with the land and be filed in the records of the Office of the Hennepin County Recorder or Registrar of Titles in a form reasonably acceptable to the city, including one or more of the following forms:
a. Resolution imposing conditions on the subdivision approval.
b. Restrictive covenants executed by the owners of the subdivided land.
c. An agreement between the city and the subdivider setting forth the improvements to be completed as a condition of subdivision approval and the party responsible for completion and maintenance of those improvements, which agreement shall bind the subdivider's successors and assigns.
d. An easement to the city or the public.
e. A conveyance of land to the city or other entity identified by the city.
(2013-Or-238, § 3, 12-13-2013)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.80 Coordination of zoning and subdivision applications.
598.80. - Coordination of zoning and subdivision applications.
The city shall carry out its subdivision review simultaneously with its review of required zoning applications and with its review of any applications for vacation of public right-of-way. The subdivider shall make separate application to the zoning administrator for all approvals related to the development of the subdivision together with the subdivision application.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.90 Reserved.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.100 Protection of natural features.
598.100. - Protection of natural features.
(a) In general. All subdivision development shall be located so as to preserve the natural features of the site, to avoid areas of environmental sensitivity, to minimize the creation of impervious surface area, to contribute to ecological function, and to minimize negative impacts on and the alteration of the natural environment. The following specific areas shall be preserved as undeveloped open space, to the extent consistent with the reasonable utilization of land, and in accordance with applicable federal, state or local regulations:
(1) Lands within fifty (50) feet of a protected water, as governed by the SH Shoreland Overlay District.
(2) Lands within primary conservation areas, bluff setbacks, and ordinary high water level (OHWL) setbacks, as governed by the MR Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Overlay District.
(3) Wetlands. It is in the public interest to achieve no net loss in the quantity, quality, and biological diversity of existing wetlands, and to increase the quantity, quality, and biological diversity of wetlands by restoring or enhancing diminished or drained wetlands. No development, grading, alteration of the natural character of the land, or construction of structures, roadways or other impervious surfaces, shall occur within fifty (50) feet of any vegetated wetland, including wetlands as defined in section 404, Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1987 or the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act of 1991, as governed by the SH Shoreland Overlay District.
(4) Significant trees or plant communities including remnant stands of native trees or remnant prairie grasses, trees or plant communities that are rare to the area or of particular horticultural or landscape value, or trees with a diameter at breast height of twelve (12) inches or larger.
(5) Steep slope areas. The applicable provisions of Chapter 535, Overlay Districts, shall apply to lands within the SH Shoreland and MR Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Overlay District. Development outside the SH Shoreland and MR Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Overlay District shall avoid placement of structures, parking lots or other impervious surfaces on slopes of eighteen (18) percent or greater, and the necessity to alter such slopes for purposes of construction. Where development does occur on such steep slope areas greater than ten (10) feet in height, such development shall be subject to the following conditions:
a. The foundation and underlying material shall be adequate for the slope condition and soil type.
b. The development shall present no danger of falling rock, mud, uprooted trees or other materials.
c. The development shall include adequate provision for stormwater runoff and temporary and permanent erosion and sedimentation control.
d. The developed slope shall be visually consistent with surrounding architectural and natural features.
(6) Habitats of threatened or endangered wildlife, as identified on federal or state lists, including the federal Endangered Species Act, and the Minnesota County Biological Survey.
(b) Mitigation. Where preservation is not consistent with the reasonable use of land, the city may require mitigation through replacement of the resource or similar resource on the site, restoration of former natural amenities to the site, or other reasonable measures to mitigate the effects of the subdivision and protect or enhance the natural features of the land.
(Ord. No. 2020-069, § 1, 12-18-2020; Ord. No. 2023-033, § 1, 5-25-2023)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.110 Stormwater management.
598.110. - Stormwater management.
All development shall comply with all applicable regulations governing stormwater management, and shall employ best management practices to minimize off-site stormwater runoff, maximize overland flow and flow distances over surfaces covered with vegetation, increase on-site filtration, replicate predevelopment hydrologic conditions as nearly as possible, minimize off-site discharge of pollutants to ground and surface water, and encourage natural filtration function.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.120 Subdivision by plat or registered land survey.
598.120. - Subdivision by plat or registered land survey.
(a) In general. As a condition of subdivision approval, the city shall require a subdivider to prepare and record a plat or registered land survey as described in section 598.200 of this chapter, when the proposed subdivision does one (1) or more of the following:
(1) Creates three (3) or more lots or parcels.
(2) Involves development of the land which requires paved streets, alleys or the installation or extension of other public improvements or services.
(3) Involves previously unplatted land.
(4) Involves multilevel separation of land or improvements through a registered land survey.
(b) Vacation of public right-of-way. As a condition of approval of any street or alley vacation, as provided in Chapter 433 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, Vacating, the city shall require the applicant to prepare and record a plat or registered land survey as described in section 598.200 of this chapter if the applicant intends to make improvements to an existing tax parcel which improvements require the dedication of public streets, alleys or other public right-of-way, provided, the city may accept a recordable easement deed from the applicant in form and substance acceptable to the city engineer in lieu of a plat or registered land survey.
(c) Combination of parcels. Any person with a legal or equitable interest in two (2) or more contiguous parcels of land may elect to combine those parcels into a single lot by plat or registered land survey by complying with all of the subdivision application procedures and requirements for plats and registered land surveys of this chapter.
(2013-Or-238, § 5, 12-13-2013)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.130 Minor subdivisions.
598.130. - Minor subdivisions.
The city shall not require a subdivider to prepare and record a plat or registered land survey as a condition of approval of a minor subdivision provided the following conditions are met:
(1) The lot or lots created by the subdivision have frontage on an existing public street and development of the lot or lots does not require the installation or extension of other public improvements or services.
(2) The lot or lots to be subdivided are previously platted land.
(3) Conveyance of unplatted railroad right-of-way to adjacent property owners.
(2013-Or-238, § 6, 12-13-2013)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.140 Minor subdivision exemptions.
598.140. - Minor subdivision exemptions.
The following minor subdivisions shall be exempt from all provisions of this chapter:
(1) Minor subdivisions by the City of Minneapolis made to convey portions of lots owned by the city to adjacent property owners for creation of residential side yards.
(2) Minor subdivisions by the City of Minneapolis to convey portions of excess right-of-way owned by the city to adjacent property owners.
(3) Where the purpose is to adjust the common boundary between two (2) parcels under separate ownership for the purpose of reconciling legal descriptions, resolving encroachments, or otherwise settling disputes between owners about the location of common boundaries, provided the following conditions are met:
a. No new lots or parcels are created.
b. The adjustment does not create split zoning on one (1) or more of the parcels.
c. The minimum lot width, lot area, and setbacks of the district in which the parcels are located are maintained.
d. The adjustment does not eliminate street or alley access or frontage or create a land-locked lot or parcel.
e. The adjustment does not create a nonconformity to the zoning ordinance or building code.
f. The adjustment conforms to the design standards of the subdivision ordinance. The prohibition on creating a five-sided residential lot may be waived when done to remedy an existing minor encroachment and not to create area for a new development.
(2013-Or-226, § 2, 12-6-2013; 2013-Or-238, § 7, 12-13-2013)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.145 Tax parcel split or combination.
598.145. - Tax parcel split or combination.
The city shall not require a property owner to prepare and record a plat or registered land survey or prepare a minor subdivision to combine tax parcels under one (1) tax or property identification number for the sole purpose of receiving a single-tax statement. The city shall not require a property owner to prepare and record a plat or registered land survey or prepare a minor subdivision where two (2) or more platted lots that were combined under one (1) tax or property identification number for the sole purpose of receiving a single-tax statement are assigned new tax or property identification numbers for two (2) or more of the platted lots. For tax parcel splits or combinations the following conditions shall be met:
(1) The split or combination does not create split zoning on one (1) or more of the parcels.
(2) The minimum lot width, lot area, and setbacks of the district in which the parcels are located are maintained.
(3) The split or combination does not eliminate street or alley access or frontage or create a land-locked lot or parcel.
(4) The split or combination does not create a nonconformity to the zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance design standards for large lots, or building code, except the maximum lot size requirement may be exceeded in the case of recombining tax parcels of an existing two-family dwelling previously subdivided along a party wall.
(2013-Or-238, § 8, 12-13-2013; Ord. No. 2023-033, § 2, 5-25-2023)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.150 Effect of subdivision application and approval.
598.150. - Effect of subdivision application and approval.
(a) Subdivision application. After a subdivider makes application to the city for subdivision approval, the city may withhold any building permit, demolition permit, grading permit, utility connection, license or other approval related to the development of the subdivision and no action shall be taken by any person to otherwise develop, grade or alter the property until the subdivider has recorded a final subdivision approval and assurances as described in section 598.70.
(b) Subdivision approval. After final subdivision approval is recorded, the city shall withhold any building permit, demolition permit, grading permit, utility connection, license or other approval required for the improvement of the subdivided land if the proposed improvement is inconsistent with the final subdivision approval or the assurances as described in section 598.70.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.160 More restrictive provisions.
598.160. - More restrictive provisions.
If a provision of this chapter conflicts with any other provision of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, or with any other provision of law, the more restrictive provision shall apply.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.170 Amendments.
598.170. - Amendments.
The city council may from time to time amend these subdivision regulations. Public hearings on any proposed amendments shall be held by the planning commission in the manner prescribed by law.
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_TIT22LASU_CH598LASURE_ARTIGEPRFetched: 11/2/2026