H2 Residential District

Density and Dimensional Standards

1. Lot Area (Size)

   To calculate lot area, use the following formula: Lot width x Lot depth = Lot area (Sec. 60.213)

   • For calculating the area of a lot located on a public alley, one-half of the width of the alley adjoining the lot is considered part of the lot. See Sec 63.101.
   • New buildings require a signed registered land survey, but lot area can be estimated using MapRamsey:
     • Search your address
     • View GIS Layers at the top right and check “Lot Info.”
     • Use the measurements shown on the map and/or use the Measure tool
       to determine the lot area.
   • Example: (40’ lot width x 125’ lot depth) + (40’ lot width x 0.5 x 12.5’ alley width) = (5,000 sq. ft.) + (250 sq. ft.) = 5,250 sq. ft.

2. Lot Area Minimum (per Principal Unit)

   The lot area minimum establishes the minimum lot area required for a certain number of principal units.

   • Example: 1,000 sq. ft. per unit x 3 principal units = 3,000 sq. ft. lot required.
      

   This also establishes the maximum number of principal units that are permitted on a lot of a certain size, up to the maximum number of principal units per lot. Round down to the nearest whole number.

   • Example: 4,500 sq. ft. lot / 1,000 sq. ft. per unit = 4 principal units.

3. Lot Width Minimum

   The lot width minimum establishes the minimum horizontal distance between the side lot lines, measured at the required front setback line (Sec. 60.213).

4. Maximum Number of Principal Units Per Lot

   The maximum number of principal units per lot establishes the maximum number of principal dwelling units that are permitted on one lot. 

   • Up to 1 additional principal unit is permitted beyond this maximum if utilizing a density bonus.
   • Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) do not count towards this maximum.
      

   Principal units on a lot can be in the form of any variety of permitted housing types: one-family dwelling(s), two-family dwelling(s), multiple-family dwelling(s).

   • Example: 5 principal units could be in the form of 5 one-family dwellings, 1 fiveplex, 2 two-family dwellings and 1 one-family dwelling, 1 fourplex and 1 one-family dwelling, 1 triplex and 1 two-family dwelling, 1 two-family dwelling and 3 one-family dwellings, etc.

5. Building Height Maximum

   Building height maximum establishes the maximum height for all buildings, except accessory buildings.

   • Building heights are measured differently based on the roof type and if there is sloping terrain, per the definition of building height in Sec. 60.203.
   • Heights of accessory buildings with or without a dwelling unit are regulated by Sec. 63.501(d).

6. Yard Setbacks Minimum

   The yard setbacks minimum establishes the minimum distance principal buildings can be from property lines and the minimum front, side, and rear yard depth of a lot.

   • Porches, decks, and other projections may be subject to setbacks and are regulated by Sec. 63.105 and Sec. 63.106.
   • Setbacks for accessory buildings are regulated by Sec. 63.501(b).

   

   Front Setback Note

   (See Sec. 66.231 (d))

   The minimum front yard setback is the district standard. EXCEPTION:  Blocks where at least 50% is built up with principal buildings and at least 1 of the front yard setbacks of the existing principal buildings with front yards that adjoin the front yard of the lot is greater than 15’, then these standards apply:

   • Where there are existing front yards that adjoin the front yard, the minimum front setback is the midpoint between the district standard setback requirement and the larger of the two adjoining front setbacks.
     • Formula: (District standard minimum front setback + larger of the two adjoining front setbacks) / 2 = Minimum front yard setback
        
   • Where only one existing front yard adjoins the front yard of the lot, the minimum front yard setback is the midpoint between the district standard setback requirement and the adjoining front yard setback.
     • Formula: (District standard minimum front setback + adjoining front setback) / 2 = Minimum front yard setback
        

   Per Sec. 60.104, "Adjoin" means having a common boundary or relationship at a common property line.

   

7. Maximum Lot Coverage for All Buildings (percent of the lot)

   The maximum lot coverage for all buildings establishes the maximum percent of the lot area that all buildings, including principal and accessory buildings, are permitted to cover.

   • This maximum is increased for cluster developments and developments using the zoning density bonus.
   • Porches, decks, and other projections may be subject to maximum lot coverage and are regulated by Sec. 63.105 and Sec. 63.106.
   • This number is calculated using all buildings’ footprints divided by the lot area (see above), multiplied by 100.
     • Example: [(1,000 sq. ft. principal building footprint + 650 sq. ft. principal building footprint + 575 sq. ft. garage or accessory building footprint) / (5,250 sq. ft. lot area)] x 100 = 42.3%

8. Floor Area Maximum for New One-Family Homes

   New one-family homes are limited to a maximum floor area of 2,500 square feet (Sec. 65.111).

9. Sewer and Water Connections

   Sewer and water connection requirements are regulated by the State Plumbing Code. Specifically, Section 311.1 states that “every building shall have its own independent water and sewer connection except that a group of buildings may be connected to one or more sewer manholes on the premises that are constructed to standards set by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.”

   To be permitted to connect utilities for a new building through an existing building’s connections, the property owner must request an alternate to the Plumbing Code. Submission is required by the Master Plumber of the shop that will be performing the work or a Minnesota-licensed Engineer; approvals are on a case-by-case basis.

   See the information sheets below for more details:

   • ADUs and Sewer/Water Connections
   • Alternate Code Request Form Plumbing
   • Plumbing Plan Review - Procedure handout