Planning & Zoning Applications

This process is applicable to petitions for annexation of land submitted or signed by a majority of the landowners within such area. The procedure for the annexation of Land by ordinance follows the receipt of a petition. This process requires City Council Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.040 of the UDC.

Decisions made in the administration of the UDC may be appealed to a higher administrative body.  An applicant aggrieved by a decision may file an appeal within 10 business days of a decision.  The basis for such an appeal may be any alleged error of an official or public body in making a decision, including failure to make a decision within the prescribed time limit.  A decision means any decision, order, requirement, or interpretation which the official or body has the power or duty to make under the UDC.

All applications for appeals shall contain:

• An identification of the decision sought to be reviewed, including the date of the decision;
• Identification of the status of the person seeking review in relation to the applicant (i.e. applicant, adjacent landowner, owner of record receiving notice, or basis for being aggrieved)
• The basis for he appeal including, as applicable, the state or federal law, or specific provisions of the UDC or the Rochester Code of Ordinances was violated or not applied.

For more details, review section 60.500.030F.2 of the UDC.

The Comprehensive Plan or Land Use Plan for the City is the way in which an adopted Comprehensive Plan or Land Use Plan for the City can be amended, in compliance with applicable Minnesota state law.  This process requires City Council Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.040A of the UDC.

The Conditional Use Permit procedure provides a mechanism for the City to evaluate proposed land uses that are generally characterized by infrequent use, high traffic generation, and/or a large land area requirement. This procedure is intended to ensure compatibility of such uses with surrounding areas and to provide adequate mitigation for anticipated impacts.  This process requires approval by the City Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, or City Teammate, depending on the Application.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.050A of the UDC.

The purpose of the Distinctive Development procedure is to allow landowners to propose certain types of development that cannot be accomplished through other zoning districts and procedures in this UDC provided that those developments provide to the City benefits equal to or greater than what the City would achieve if the Distinctive Development procedure were not used.  This process requires City Council Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.040L of the UDC.

Environmental reviews provide usable information for project proposers, government decision-makers, and members of the public about a proposed project’s primary environmental effects. The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) oversees the state of Minnesota’s environmental review program and has the authority to draft rules for the State Environmental Review Program. The requirements for environmental reviews are based on the nature, size, and location of the proposed project, and are described in Minnesota Rules 4410.

Learn more about this application type by visiting the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board website.

The Final Plat process is intended to ensure that all aspects of a Major Land Subdivision Permit approved or approved with conditions pursuant to this UDC are accurately documented and recorded in the public land records through the preparation of a subdivision plat meeting the requirements of Minnesota law.  This process requires City Council Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.040H of the UDC.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.060H of the UDC.

The purpose of the General Development Plan requirement is to ensure that a landowner investigates the broad effects development will have not only on the site itself, but on adjacent properties and the on and off-site public infrastructure system.  This process requires City Teammate Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.060B of the UDC.

This process is applicable to all applications to amend the City’s Growth Management Map, and may be required to be completed before an application for an Official Zoning Map Amendment or another application under this UDC may be recommended for approval or approval with conditions.  This process requires City Council Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.040 of the UDC.

A home occupation application is required for a business, profession or other economic activity conducted full or part-time in the principal residence of the person conducting the business. This process requires City Teammate Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.300.020.F12 of the UDC.

The purpose of the Interim Development requirement is to ensure that a landowner investigates the broad effects development will have not only on the site itself, but on adjacent properties and the on and off-site public infrastructure system. This process requires City Council Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.060B of the UDC.

The Interim Use Permit process is intended to allow property in Mixed Use and Non-Residential zoning districts to be used for purposes that may not be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan under conditions that ensure its long-term use will be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. This process requires City Council Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.040N of the UDC.

The Lot Line Readjustment process is intended to allow minor adjustments between the boundaries of already platted lots or unplatted parcels that create no more than one additional developable lot and do not require the dedication of additional right-of-way. This process requires City Teammate Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.060J of the UDC.

The Major Land Subdivision Permit process is intended to ensure that the creation of new developable lots within the City complies with all applicable requirements of state law, this UDC, and all applicable City and other government regulations related to transportation, utilities, protection of sensitive lands, and the provision of public services, and is consistent with the adopted Rochester Comprehensive Plan. This process requires City Council Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.040G of the UDC.

The Major Modification procedure is intended to allow for adjustments or deviations from dimensional, numeric, and certain other standards of this UDC that are greater than, or different in kind than, the extent of variation allowed by a Minor Modification as described in Section 60.500.070A of the UDC. Major Modifications are intended to provide greater flexibility to adjust UDC standards (other than permitted or conditional uses) without the practical difficulties required for a Variance under Minnesota law.  This process requires Planning & Zoning Commission Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.070B of the UDC.

The Minor Land Subdivision Permit process is intended to ensure that the creation of small numbers of new developable lots within the City comply with all applicable requirements of state law, this UDC, and all applicable City and other government regulations related to transportation, utilities, protection of sensitive lands, and the provision of public services, and are consistent with the adopted Rochester Comprehensive Plan.  This process requires City Teammate Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.060G of the UDC.

The Minor Modification procedure is intended to allow relatively small modifications to dimensional, numeric, and certain other standards of this UDC where the need for the adjustment arises from unusual site conditions and the approved modification will not have a material negative impact on surrounding properties.  This process requires City Teammate Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.070A of the UDC.

The Official Map Adoption process is intended to clarify how the map designating the locations, names, and details of public streets in the City may be adopted, in conformance with Minnesota state law. This process requires City Council Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.040I of the UDC.

A request for continuance is a request to delay the consideration of a planning application to a future date.  It allows the applicant more time to gather additional information, address concerns raised by community members or local authorities, or revise the proposed development plan before a final decision is made.  The request for a continuance can be made by the applicant or their representative, or by a member of the planning commission or local government body responsible for reviewing the application. Once a continuance request is granted, the planning application review process is typically paused and rescheduled to a later date.

The Rezoning (Official Zoning Map Amendment) procedure is intended to provide a mechanism for the City to consider an application to rezone real property within the City's jurisdiction and to ensure that the statutory requirements established in Minnesota law for the zoning of real property are met. This application requires City Council Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.040E of the UDC.

The Shoreland Protection Permit process is intended to allow for new projects on undeveloped land, redevelopment of previously built sites, or conversions of existing buildings and land in the SDO – Shoreland District Overlay in a way that complies with all applicable provisions in Section 60.200.040F of the UDC, and protects and enhances the natural scenic qualities and environmental benefits of the Shoreland District Overlay both during and after development. This process requires Planning & Zoning Commission Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.040I of the UDC.

The Site Development Plan review process is intended to promote the safe, functional, and aesthetic development of property and to ensure that new structures, utilities, streets, parking, circulation systems, yards, and open spaces are developed in conformance with the standards of this UDC. The Site Development Plan review shall consider the siting of structures and related site improvements to promote harmonious relationships with adjacent development, encourage the use of non-motorized transportation and transit, enhance the pedestrian environment, and minimize conflicts among bicycles, pedestrians, and motorized vehicles. This process requires City Teammate Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.060C of the UDC.

The Temporary Permit process is intended to allow the short-term use of property (not to exceed a maximum of 12 calendar months) for purposes permitted in Table 300.01-1 Allowed Uses Table of the UDC under conditions that minimize potential negative impacts on surrounding properties. This process requires City Teammate Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.060F of the UDC.

The UDC text amendment process describes the review and approval procedures for amending the text of this UDC to respond to changed conditions or changes in public policy, or to advance the general welfare of the City. These amendments do not include rezoning. This process requires City Council Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.040D of the UDC.

Rochester Code of Ordinances 7-4-5 states that a building that becomes vacant must be registered by the owner within 30 days of becoming vacant. A vacant building fee shall be paid annually, with the amount determined by the building's size and the length of the vacancy (Ordinance 7-4-5(h)). Fees may be waived if the owner follows through with a written restoration agreement or, in the case of fire damage, submits a request for an exemption.

This process applies to all applications to vacate a public street, easement, or right-of-way (ROW). It does not apply to requests to vacate private easements within or outside of a public street or public right-of-way that do not affect the designation or City or public ownership of the surface of the street or right-of-way or its use for public travel, circulation, or mobility. This process requires City Council Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.040J of the UDC.

The Variance procedure is intended to allow property owners with unusual lot or site conditions to request the opportunity to vary standards and criteria in this UDC that cannot be modified through the Minor Modification or Major Modification procedures, in order to avoid practical difficulties that would otherwise be created by the strict adherence to the provisions of the UDC, as required in Chapter 462.357 (sub. 6) of the Laws of Minnesota. This process requires Zoning Board of Appeals Approval.

Learn more about this application type in section 60.500.070C of the UDC.

Zoning Certificates are issued by the Community Development Director to authorize a development to proceed, based on information included in the application, and to evidence compliance with UDC requirements.  This process requires City Teammate Approval.

Upon request, Community Development can issue a letter outlining zoning information for a property, known as a Zoning Compliance Letter. These letters include: the property's current zoning, verification of whether the property's current or proposed use is permitted, applicable Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) or overlay districts, and any open zoning violations.