MRCCA Sub-Districts.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 535.1630
in effect535.1630. - MRCCA Sub-Districts.
(a) District description and management purpose. The MR Overlay District within the City of Minneapolis is divided into the following sub-districts:
(1) Rural and Open Space (ROS).
a. Description. The ROS District is characterized by rural and low-density development patterns and land uses. It includes land that is riparian or visible from the river as well as large, undeveloped tracts of high ecological and scenic value, floodplain, and undeveloped islands. Many primary conservation areas exist in the ROS District.
b. Management purpose. The ROS District shall be managed to sustain and restore the rural and natural character of the corridor and to protect and enhance habitat, parks and open space, public river corridor views, and scenic, natural, and historic areas.
(2) River Neighborhood (RN).
a. Description. The RN District is characterized by primarily residential neighborhoods that are riparian or readily visible from the river or that abut riparian parkland. The district includes parks and open space, limited commercial development, marinas, and related land uses.
b. Management purpose. The RN District shall be managed to maintain the character of the river corridor within the context of existing residential and related neighborhood development, and to protect and enhance habitat, parks and open space, public river corridor views, and scenic, natural, and historic areas. Minimizing erosion and the flow of untreated storm water into the river and enhancing habitat and shoreline vegetation are priorities in the district.
(3) River Towns and Crossings (RTC).
a. Description. The RTC District is characterized by historic downtown areas and limited nodes of intense development at specific river crossings, as well as institutional campuses that predate designation of the MRCCA, and that include taller buildings.
b. Management purpose. The RTC District shall be managed in a manner that allows continued growth and redevelopment in historic downtowns and more intensive redevelopment in limited areas at river crossings to accommodate compact walkable development patterns and connections to the river. Minimizing erosion and the flow of untreated storm water into the river, providing public access to and public views of the river, and restoring natural vegetation in riparian areas and tree canopy are priorities in the district.
(4) Separated from River (SR).
a. Description. The SR District is characterized by its physical and visual distance from the Mississippi River. The district includes land separated from the river by distance, topography, development, or a transportation corridor. The land in this district is not readily visible from the Mississippi River.
b. Management purpose. The SR District provides flexibility in managing development without negatively affecting the key resources and features of the river corridor. Minimizing negative impacts to primary conservation areas and minimizing erosion and flow of untreated storm water into the Mississippi River are priorities in the district.
(5) Urban Mixed (UM).
a. Description. The UM District includes large areas of highly urbanized mixed-use that are a part of the urban fabric of the river corridor, including institutional, commercial, industrial, and residential areas and parks and open space.
b. Management purpose. The UM District shall be managed in a manner that allows for future growth and potential transition of intensely developed areas that does not negatively affect public river corridor views and that protects bluffs and floodplains. Restoring and enhancing bluff and shoreline habitat, minimizing erosion and flow of untreated storm water into the river, and providing public access to and public views of the river are priorities in the district.
(6) Urban Core (UC).
a. Description. The UC District includes downtown.
b. Management purpose. The UC District shall be managed with the greatest flexibility to protect commercial, industrial, and other high-intensity urban uses, while minimizing negative impacts to primary conservation areas and minimizing erosion and flow of untreated storm water into the river. Providing public access to and public views of the river are priorities in the district.
(b) MR Overlay District map. The locations and boundaries of the MR Overlay District and sub-districts established by this ordinance are shown on the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Overlay District map which is incorporated herein by reference. The district boundary lines are intended to follow the center lines of rivers and streams, highways, streets, lot lines, and municipal boundaries, unless a boundary line is otherwise indicated on the map. Where district boundaries cross unsubdivided property, the district boundary line is determined by use of dimensions or the scale appearing on the map.
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_CH535OVDI_ARTXIIIMRMIRICOCRAROVDI_535.1630MRSSTFetched: 11/2/2026