MRCCA districts determine structure setbacks from the river and bluffs as well as height limits. This page describes each district established in the 2017 MRCCA rules and the setback and height standards that apply in each.
Note! These districts and standards only apply to the communities that have adopted new MRCCA zoning regulations consistent with the 2017 rules. These communities are listed on the Property Owner Information page.
What district is my property in?
Find out what district your property is in per the 2017 MRCCA rules.
All land within the MRCCA is located in one of six districts described below:
- Rural and open space district (CA-ROS)
Rural undeveloped and developed low density residential land that is riparian to or visible from the river, often contains tracts of high quality ecological resources. - River neighborhood district (CA-RN)
Developed residential areas containing parks and recreational areas that are visible from the river, or abut riparian parks. - River towns and crossings district (CA-RTC)
Historic downtown and river crossing commercial areas, as well as institutional campuses. - Separated from river district (CA-SR)
Land that is separated from and not visible from the river. - Urban mixed district (CA-UM)
Commercial, institutional, and industrial mixed-use areas as well as parks and recreational areas. - Urban core district (CA-UC)
Downtown areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Structure setback and height standards
The structure setbacks from the ordinary high water level (OHWL) and bluffs, as well as structure height limits for each of the MRCCA districts, are shown below:
MRCCA district (per 2017 MRCCA rules)
| CA-ROS | CA-RN | CA-RTC | CA-SR | CA-UM | CA-UC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure height | 35' | 35' | 48' CUP > 48' |
Underlying zoning |
65' CUP > 65' |
Underlying zoning |
| Mississippi River structure setback | 200' | 100' | N/A | 75' | 50' | Underlying zoning |
| Bluff structure setback | 100' | 40' | 40' | 40' | 40' | 40' |
MRCCA boundary
The outer boundary of the MRCCA is established through a legal description published in the State Register. This metes-and-bounds legal description generally follows public land survey section lines and roads as they existed at the time of designation in 1976.