Planning Commission adopts zoning amendment to allow regulated safe outdoor parking for people living in vehicles

The Minneapolis Planning Commission on April 6 approved a zoning code text amendment that creates a new interim-use category to allow managed "safe outdoor parking" sites where people already sheltering in personal passenger vehicles can legally stay overnight.

Staff planner Madel Mouta told commissioners the proposal responds to the City Council's Dec. 15, 2023 declaration of homelessness as a public health emergency and aligns with key policies in Minneapolis 2040 aimed at expanding access to health, social and emergency services. "This amendment adds a new use to the zoning code that allows people to legally stay in their cars overnight in designated managed parking lots," Mouta said, framing the measure as a way to reach people who do not use traditional shelters.

Planner Aspen Pflanz described the ordinance language and operational structure. The use would be allowed only as an interim use (maximum duration five years), require both an interim use permit and a business license processed concurrently before the Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee, and require a management plan with on-site staffing, sanitation, security measures and daily clearance so sites operate overnight only. Pflanz said the code definition would limit the population served to people already sheltering overnight in passenger vehicles; RVs, tents and other structures would not be permitted. "We created its own definition and use because it's not just parking, but it's not entirely housing," Pflanz said, noting the intent to connect occupants to services while maintaining operational standards.

Commission-appointed City Council member Aurin Chowdhury, who led the motion to adopt, cited peer-city results in support. Citing Duluth and Denver models, Chowdhury said Duluth's seasonal program served 164 individuals in a recent operating season and helped 17 transition into permanent housing, and that prior seasonal budgeting there was on the order of $150,000 to $200,000. He also referenced reports showing roughly 59 incidents in a recent quarter where people were sheltering in vehicles in Minneapolis. "This is coming at an important moment in time in our city, especially when we see so many of our community members struggling," Chowdhury said, urging commissioners to approve the zoning changes.

Commissioners debated operational and code matters in brief questions before the vote. Commissioner Jones asked why RVs were excluded; Pflanz said limiting the use to passenger vehicles reflected existing code prohibitions on RVs in some residential districts and staff intent to avoid creating a recreational camping draw. Commissioner Sheppard asked whether licensing could require escrow funds to mitigate city risk if an operator shut down; the clerk replied the zoning code does not presently have an escrow requirement.

The commission voted to adopt the staff recommendation; no recorded opposition or abstentions were announced. Staff emphasized the amendment authorizes sites but does not guarantee any will open: nonprofit organizations or other operators would need to propose and manage individual sites under permit and license rules.

Next steps outlined by staff include concurrent review of the interim use permit and business license at the Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee, followed by council review and public hearings for licensing and any related ordinance changes. The Planning Commission adjourned with the amendment adopted and commission calendars set for upcoming budget previews.