SUBDIVISION APPROVAL

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances tit. 22, ch. 598, art. IV

in effect

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.270 Required findings.

598.270. - Required findings. The planning commission, in its review of all subdivision applications, shall take into consideration the requirements of the city and the best use of the land being subdivided. Particular attention shall be given to the width and location of streets, sidewalks, suitable sanitary utilities, surface drainage, lot sizes and arrangements, and protection and conservation of natural features, as well as requirements such as parks and playgrounds, schools and other public uses. Each of the following findings shall be made prior to the approval of a subdivision or minor subdivision: (1) The subdivision is in conformance with these land subdivision regulations, the applicable regulations of the zoning ordinance and policies of the comprehensive plan. (2) The subdivision will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity, nor be detrimental to present and potential surrounding land uses, nor add substantially to congestion in the public streets. (3) All land intended for building sites can be used safely without endangering the residents or users of the subdivision or the surrounding area because of flooding, erosion, high water table, soil conditions, improper drainage, steep slopes, rock formations, utility easements or other hazard. (4) The lot arrangement is such that there will be no foreseeable difficulties, for reasons of topography or other conditions, in securing building permits and in providing driveway access to buildings on such lots from an approved street. Each lot created through subdivision is suitable in its natural state for the proposed use with minimal alteration. (5) The subdivision makes adequate provision for stormwater runoff, and temporary and permanent erosion control in accordance with the rules, regulations and standards of the city engineer and the requirements of these land subdivision regulations. To the extent practicable, the amount of stormwater runoff from the site after development will not exceed the amount occurring prior to development.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.280 Conditions and guarantees.

598.280. - Conditions and guarantees. The planning commission may impose such conditions on any proposed subdivision and require such guarantees as it deems reasonable and necessary to protect the public interest and to ensure compliance with the standards and purposes of this chapter and policies of the comprehensive plan.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.290 Improvements required.

598.290. - Improvements required. Any required public improvements or dedicated public areas, including water, sewer, stormwater drainage and storage areas, roadways, alleys, sidewalks, lighting, curbing, gutters, landscaping, open space, or similar utilities and improvements that the planning commission deems reasonably necessary to support the proposed development, shall be provided by the subdivider as a condition of the acceptance and approval of the subdivision. The planning commission may choose to accept an equivalent amount in cash from the applicant for part or all of the area required to be dedicated to public uses or purposes based on the fair market value of the land no later than at the time of final approval and as otherwise provided by law.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.300 Improvement guarantees.

598.300. - Improvement guarantees. (a) In general. The planning commission may require, as a condition of subdivision approval, improvement guarantees to ensure the proper installation and maintenance of any required public improvement, pursuant to this section. (1) Before issuing final subdivision approval, the planning commission may require the following guarantees: a. A performance guarantee in an amount not to exceed one hundred twenty (120) percent of the cost of installation for improvements. b. A maintenance guarantee for a period not to exceed two (2) years after final acceptance of the improvement, in an amount not to exceed fifteen (15) percent of the cost of the improvement. In the event that other governmental agencies or public utilities automatically will own the utilities to be installed, or the improvements are covered by a performance or maintenance guarantee to another governmental agency, no performance or maintenance guarantee, as the case may be, shall be required for such utilities or improvements. (2) The time allowed for installation of the improvements for which the performance guarantee has been provided may be extended by resolution of the planning commission. (3) Upon substantial completion of all required improvements, the subdivider may notify the department of community planning and economic development in writing, by certified mail, of the completion or substantial completion of improvements, and shall send a copy to the city engineer. The city engineer shall inspect all improvements and shall file a detailed report, in writing, with the city planning department indicating either approval, partial approval, or rejection of such improvements with a statement of reasons for any rejection. The cost of the improvements as approved or rejected shall be set forth. (4) The planning commission shall either approve, partially approve, or reject the improvements on the basis of the report of the city engineer, and shall notify the subdivider in writing, by certified mail, of the contents of the report and the action. (5) Where partial approval is granted, the developer shall be released from all liability except for that portion of improvements not yet approved. (b) Forms of guarantees. The subdivider shall provide performance and maintenance guarantees reasonably acceptable to the planning commission, including either of the following: (1) Surety bond from a surety bonding company authorized to do business in the state. (2) Irrevocable letter of credit, in a form reasonably acceptable to the planning commission, from a bank or other reputable institution. (3) Escrow account. The applicant shall deposit cash, or other instruments readily convertible into cash at face value, either with the municipality, or in escrow with a bank. (2013-Or-238, § 14, 12-13-2013)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.310 Variances.

598.310. - Variances. Where the planning commission finds that hardships or practical difficulties may result from strict compliance with these regulations, or that the purposes of these regulations may be served to a greater extent by an alternative proposal, it may approve variances to any or all of the provisions of this chapter. In approving variances, the planning commission may require such conditions as it deems reasonable and necessary to secure substantially the objectives of the standards or requirements of these regulations. The planning commission shall consider input from applicable city departments and adopted city plans and policies. No variance shall be granted unless the planning commission makes the following findings: (1) There are special circumstances or conditions affecting the specific property such that the strict application of the provisions of this chapter would deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of land. (2) The granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to other property in the area in which the property is located. (3) The variance and alternatives proposed in lieu of design standards will be in keeping with the spirit and intent of the ordinance. (2013-Or-238, § 15, 12-13-2013)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.320 Appeal.

598.320. - Appeal. Unless otherwise prescribed by state law, all decisions of the planning commission shall be final subject to appeal to the city council and the right of subsequent judicial review. Appeals may be initiated by any affected person by filing the appeal with the zoning administrator on a form approved by the zoning administrator. All appeals must be filed within ten (10) calendar days of the date of decision by the planning commission and shall be accompanied at the time of filing with payment of a seventy-five dollars ($75.00) application fee. In the case of an appeal made by the original subdivider, the fee shall be waived. Timely filing of an appeal shall stay the decision of the planning commission until a decision is made by the city council. Not less than ten (10) days before the public hearing to be held by the zoning and planning committee of the city council to consider the appeal, the zoning administrator shall mail notice of the hearing to the property owners and the registered neighborhood group(s) who were sent notice of the public hearing held by the planning commission to consider the subdivision application. The failure to give mailed notice to individual property owners, or defects in the notice, shall not invalidate the proceedings provided a bona fide attempt to comply with this section has been made. No subdivision approval shall be recorded nor any action taken by any person to develop, grade or otherwise alter the property until expiration of the ten-day appeal period and, if an appeal is filed pursuant to this section, until after a final decision has been made by the city council approving the subdivision. (2013-Or-099, § 1, 12-6-13)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.325 Governing body approval certificates.

598.325. - Governing body approval certificates. The governing body approval certificate on the plat or registered land survey shall be signed by the city clerk. The signature of the city clerk certifies the approval of the city planning commission, including endorsements required by the Minneapolis City Charter, and the approval of the plat or registered land survey by the city council, if appealed. (Ord. No. 2023-033, § 6, 5-25-23)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 598.330 Recording of subdivision approval.

598.330. - Recording of subdivision approval. All final subdivision approvals shall be filed by the subdivider with the Office of the Hennepin County Recorder or Registrar of Titles and evidence of proper filing shall be submitted to the zoning administrator prior to issuance of any building permits.

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_ARTIVSUAPFetched: 11/2/2026