Zoning Reforms Underwhelm in Minneapolis as Development Market Holds Course

As one of the first city's to comprehensively allow for residential density, Minneapolis was probably hoping for more than what it's achieved so far.

2 minute read

September 2, 2020, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Highway 65 Construction

Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock

Hannah Jones reports on the scant evidence of a sweeping reform of Minneapolis' zoning code, set in motion by the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which allows for duplexes and triplexes on lots previously zoned exclusively for detached single-family housing.

So far the number of permits requested in 2020 for new triplexes in the city has reached a whopping total of three. 

"The citywide total -- all three for renovation or conversion of existing properties, rather than new builds -- is less than half the near-term plans of a single man, Terry Robertson, according to the Twin Cities Business Journal," according to Jones. "The Twin Cities developer already owns eight vacant lots in north Minneapolis, and hopes to have as many as twice that by year's end." 

Minneapolis manager of code development Jason Whittenberg is quoted in the article saying it wasn't the attention of the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan to suddenly replace the city's single-family homes with triplexes, and the Missing Middle of the housing market is still relatively unpopular in the city.

As for why the changes to the citywide zoning code has yet to have a major effect in Minneapolis, the article cites Eric Myers, director of government affairs for Minneapolis Area Realtors association, who says the zoning code might allow for duplexes and triplexes, but it's still written for single-family homes. "Height restrictions are the same, as are setback requirements. Triplexes built on single-family lots have to fit within the footprint of the original building," explains Jones.

Myers's critique of the shortcoming of the zoning approach to new forms of residential density in Minneapolis is echoed in a Bloomberg CityLab piece from July, written by Emily Hamilton

"Although single-unit zoning limits these useful types of housing, so do myriad other restrictions on how and where housing can be built: minimum lot size requirements, parking requirements, height limits and more," according to Hamilton, who quickly turns the attention to Minneapolis's zoning reforms. "The reform was not paired with any increase in allowable height or size for structures themselves. So three units can now be built where only one was permitted before, but the allowable built space is the same. It remains to be seen how profitable it will be for homeowners or builders to subdivide houses or build two or three new units that are much smaller than a single-unit house would be permitted to be. Allowing larger buildings could make more triplex conversions more comfortable and profitable."

Tuesday, September 1, 2020 in City Pages

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Dense multistory residential buildings in hilly San Francisco, California.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean

Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

3 hours ago - The San Francisco Standard

Blue self-driving Ford Transit van shuttle in Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US

A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.

4 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Blue sign with white gas pump symbol with electric plug and "EV"

‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Guts EV Tax Credits

The bill eliminates federal subsidies for electric vehicle buyers and charging stations.

5 hours ago - Engadget

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA