Zoning Ordinance Update

A draft zoning ordinance is now available for public review. As this document is still in draft form, there may be some incomplete sections or minor errors. For residential properties, the main differences between the existing and draft zoning ordinances are:

• Zoning Districts. The existing ordinance includes several residential zoning districts. The proposed ordinance consolidates these districts to better align with the land uses identified in the comprehensive plan. For example, the current R-1, R-1A and R-2 zoning districts—all classified as low-density—are combined into one new district called LDR (Low Density Residential).
• Lot Dimensions and Setbacks. Minimum lot dimensions and setbacks have been reduced and streamlined in the draft ordinance. For instance, under the current R-1, R-1A and R-2 zoning districts, the minimum lot area for new lots ranges from 12,500 sq. ft. to 22,000 sq. ft. The draft ordinance standardizes this requirement to 18,000 sq. ft.
• Dwelling Types. Within the new LDR district, single-family, two-family and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) would be permitted dwelling types. For reference, in 2025, the city issued building permits for 36 new single-family dwellings and 4 ADUs.

We encourage your feedback on these primary changes and the entire draft ordinance. Please submit your comments in the Public Comment section of this page.

The city-council-appointed community workgroup will meet:

• Wed. June 24, 6 p.m.
• Online, via Teams

The workgroup will discuss the information provided by the city's consultant at the May 2026 meeting. The meeting is open to the public, but it is not a forum for public comment. Opportunities for public engagement will be available later in the year.

To attend, please email City Planner Susan Thomas at sthomas@minnetonkamn.gov to request a meeting link.

The city-council-appointed community workgroup will meet:

• Wed. May 27, 6 p.m.
• Minnehaha Room, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd

The city's consultant will provide the workgroup with a high-level overview of the proposed changes to the zoning code contained in the first draft. The meeting is open to the public, but it is not a forum for public comment. Opportunities for public engagement will be available later in the year. The May 27 meeting will be recorded but not televised.

The city council–appointed community workgroup will meet virtually at 6 p.m. on Wed. Jan. 28, 2026. During this brief meeting, staff will present an update on work completed since the group’s last meeting.

The workgroup meeting is open to the public but is not a forum for public comment. To receive a link to the virtual meeting, please email City Planner Susan Thomas at sthomas@minnetonkamn.gov.

Minnetonka Summer Fest

Zoning is a way communities regulate how property can be used to preserve public health and maintain community vitality, all while meeting the city’s long-range goals.

This summer, the public offered input in several ways:

• City planning staff met with many of the more than 6,000 Summer Fest attendees. People asked questions about zoning and shared their opinions on things like housing types, lot sizes and the amenities they’d like to see near their neighborhoods.
• In July, community members took our visual preference survey on Minnetonka Matters, sharing their thoughts about housing types and how close buildings should be allowed from property lines.
• Also in July, the city’s consultant, Morris Leatherman Co., conducted a phone survey of 300 Minnetonka residents. Participants were asked about their preferences for different kinds of housing, lot sizes and commercial development, such as stores and offices.

Opportunities for input

This fall, you are invited to engage with the city and talk all things zoning at the Fire Department and City Open House Oct. 7.

The city-council appointed community workgroup will meet:

• Wed. Sept. 10, 6 p.m.
• Minnehaha Room, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd

The workgroup meeting is open to the public, but is not a forum for public comment. The meeting will be recorded but not televised.

Minnetonka property owners are invited to guide the future of Minnetonka zoning by sharing what you think looks best in our community. Take our survey to share your preferences when it comes to residential development. The feedback will help guide the city’s current zoning ordinance update.

Following workgroup meetings in February, the city's zoning consultant has been calibrating Minnetonka’s zoning districts and uses. This involves reviewing existing zoning districts, as well as exploring potential new or different districts. Additionally, calibration includes assessing the various land uses allowed in each district, including permitted, accessory, and conditional uses. The community workgroup will meet again at the completion of this work.

The community workgroup met on Feb. 26. The city's consultant presented information about the existing zoning ordinance and diagnostic report. Group members then shared comments on zoning issues, particularly on issues related to housing. The group then conducted a preference survey focused on setbacks and housing diversity.

At its Feb. 10 meeting, the city council appointed the following zoning ordinance update workgroup members:

• Brad Wiersum
• Kimberly Wilburn
• David Allen
• Derrick Banks
• Linda Cohen
• Alex Hanson
• Lee Jacobsohn
• Sandra Johnsons
• Ashley Pattain
• Katie Semersky

The first meeting of the community workgroup is Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 6-8:30 p.m. in the council chambers.