Zoning and Subdivision Code Update

Draft Materials

• View Draft Chapter 16 – Planning and Development
• View Draft Chapter 21 – Subdivision
• View Draft Chapter 22 –  Trees
• View Draft Chapter 25 – Zoning
• View Chapter 25 Appendices
• View the Draft Zoning Map
• View the interactive zoning map tool that shows current and proposed districts

Project Background

The City of Oakdale has begun the process of updating the Zoning and Subdivision Codes to modernize the City’s standards in line with zoning best practices; align zoning districts with the City's 2040 Comprehensive Plan land uses and future land use map; ensure consistency with Minnesota Statutes, federal laws, and judicial rulings; and improve the Code's structure and format to be more user-friendly.

The City of Oakdale’s Zoning Code was first adopted in 1969. Since its adoption, the Code has been updated continuously to address new issues and accommodate growth. The most recent full recodification was completed by staff in 2008.

Oakdale is experiencing a new period of growth with the development of the 208-acre Willowbrooke neighborhood in the northeast, new multi-family and commercial projects along the Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor, and general redevelopment activity across the community. The City has identified the need for Code updates that address contemporary development forms and practices, as well as a Code that is easier to use for property owners, developers, staff, and elected/appointed officials.

Goals for the Code Update

Primary goals and expectations for the code update include:

• Updating and modernizing the Ordinance
• Evaluating selected articles of the Ordinance by outside expertise and industry best practices.
• Ensuring consistency with Minnesota Statutes, federal laws, and judicial rulings
• Fulfilling Policy 3, Goal 2 of the City’ s 2040 Comprehensive Plan Land Use Chapter – “Modify the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance, and Capital Improvements Plan to facilitate the achievement of the City’s development and redevelopment goals.”
• Improving user-friendliness with additional illustrations that help explain complex zoning concepts, when applicable
• Modernizing certain definitions and allowable uses

Community Input

Public Hearing
A public hearing will be held at a Planning Commission meeting on June 5, 2025 to present the recommended code updates. The public is invited to attend and provide feedback.

Project Schedule

Below is the project schedule. The expected completion is July 8, 2025.