Parking Rules in Bloomington, MN

If you live in Bloomington or are thinking about moving there, parking rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Bloomington has 9 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of parking rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Snow Removal Parking Rules

Bloomington City Code §§ 8.45 and 8.46 ban parking on any public right-of-way for 48 hours after the National Weather Service announces three inches or more of continuous snowfall, or after the city declares a snow emergency. The ban ends early once the full width of the street is plowed.

Key details: Automatic ban trigger: National Weather Service announces three inches or more of continuous snowfall. Declared emergency trigger: City declaration with notice on website and snow emergency hotline. Ban length: 48 hours, or until full street width is plowed. Where it applies: Any public right-of-way in the city. Towing: Orange tag procedure under § 8.47.

Section 8.05 makes a violation of Chapter 8 a petty misdemeanor under state law unless the code says otherwise, and lets the City Enforcement Officer add civil penalties assessed against the owner or occupant's private property under § 12.15 of the City Charter and § 1.19 of the city code. Under § 8.47, a vehicle in violation can be towed through the orange tag procedure, and the tow does not bar prosecution.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Bloomington actively enforces its snow removal parking rules requirements.

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles

Bloomington prohibits many commercial vehicles on residential property including boom trucks, cargo trucks, dump trucks, semi-tractors, tow trucks, and mobile construction equipment. Vehicles over 7 ft 6 in tall face additional restrictions. Permitted vehicles may park only in garages, on approved paved driveways, or unpaved driveways not required to be paved.

Key details: Prohibited Types: Boom, dump, cargo, semi-tractors, tow trucks. Height Limit: 7 ft 6 in (additional restrictions above). Allowed Locations: Garage or approved driveway only. City Code: Chapter 8 / §21.301.06.

Compared to other cities, Bloomington takes a harder line on commercial & oversized vehicles. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Driveway Rules

In Bloomington, Minnesota, vehicles on a single-family or two-family lot must sit in a garage, on a legally constructed driveway, or on an approved off-drive parking area. Every driveway and off-drive area must be fully paved, gravel is not permitted, and a driveway permit is required for new work.

Key details: Governing section: Bloomington City Code § 21.301.06(i). Approved surface: Concrete, asphalt, brick, stone or pavers; gravel not permitted. Off-drive parking area: One area up to 12 feet wide, driveways totaling 26 feet or less. Minimum driveway width: At least ten feet. Front setback: Minimum 20 feet for driveways and off-drive areas.

Parking on grass, gravel or any other spot outside a garage, driveway or approved off-drive area breaks § 21.301.06(i)(4). Bloomington City Code § 1.08 makes a code violation a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days, or both, where no specific penalty is provided. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and the city can abate the condition as a public nuisance.

Compared to other cities, Bloomington takes a harder line on driveway rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Street Parking Limits

Bloomington City Code § 8.08 bars stopping, standing or parking within five feet of a driveway edge, within five feet of a driveway or alley meeting a street, and within five feet of a mailbox. Fire lanes and marked alleys are off limits, and vehicles must sit parallel to the curb unless perpendicular parking is established.

Key details: Driveway edge: Five feet, from the wing end or driveway curb return. Driveway or alley meeting a street: Five feet of the intersection is off limits. Mailbox: No stopping, standing or parking within five feet. Fire lanes: Barred when posted with signs or pavement markings. Curb orientation: Parallel, unless white transverse lines or signage establish perpendicular.

Under § 8.05, a violation of Chapter 8 is a petty misdemeanor under state law unless the code states otherwise. The City Enforcement Officer can, at sole discretion, add or substitute civil penalties assessed against the owner or occupant's private property under § 12.15 of the City Charter and § 1.19 of the city code. For signed zones in Division B, § 8.41(f) lets any police officer or duly authorized person immediately remove and impound an unoccupied vehicle.

Abandoned Vehicles

Bloomington City Code § 8.16 bars storing or leaving any abandoned, junk or inoperable vehicle on any real property, private property included, unless the vehicle is completely enclosed in a building or tied to a licensed business. Notice goes on the vehicle, the owner then has seven days, and each later day is a new violation.

Key details: Governing rule: § 8.16 bars open storage on any real property. Government property test: More than 48 hours, or four hours where posted. Notice to owner: Mailed within two working days of on-vehicle notice. Removal deadline: Seven days from the date of notice. Reclaim window: 15 days from notice, on payment of towing and storage.

Once the seven-day period after notice expires, failing to remove and store the vehicle is a misdemeanor under § 8.18. Each day the vehicle stays improperly stored is a new violation, separately subject to prosecution or civil administrative penalties under § 1.13. Failing to facilitate removal under § 8.19(c) is also a misdemeanor with civil administrative penalties. The city can tow and dispose of the vehicle, and reclaiming it requires paying towing and storage charges within 15 days of notice.

Compared to other cities, Bloomington takes a harder line on abandoned vehicles. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Overnight Parking

Bloomington City Code § 8.41(d) bars parking a vehicle, or permitting it to stand, on any public right-of-way for more than 24 consecutive hours. The section sets a time limit rather than a nightly ban, and it comes with impoundment, a petty misdemeanor penalty and separate winter parking bans.

Key details: Time limit: 24 consecutive hours on any public right-of-way. Who is covered: Anyone who parks a vehicle or permits it to stand. Limited parking zones: Signed period applies, except Sundays and legal holidays. Enforcement: Unoccupied vehicle can be immediately removed and impounded. Penalty: Petty misdemeanor under § 8.41(i).

Under § 8.41(i), unless another penalty is expressly provided by law, a violation of Division B is a petty misdemeanor. An unoccupied vehicle found in violation can be immediately removed and impounded under § 8.41(f) by any police officer or duly authorized person. Section 8.05 also lets the City Enforcement Officer, at sole discretion, add civil penalties assessed against the owner or occupant's private property.

RV & Boat Parking

Bloomington City Code § 21.301.13 lets single-family residents store recreational vehicles outdoors, but caps a lot at two Class I vehicles or one Class I plus one Class II, bans any RV over 40 feet, and sets setbacks of five feet, ten feet and 20 feet. Front-yard RVs face height, length and seasonal limits.

Key details: Class I RV: Under 20 feet long and under six feet high. Single-family limit: Two Class I, or one Class I plus one Class II. Maximum RV length: 40 feet in single-family and multiple-family districts. Front-yard setbacks: 5 feet from property line, 10 from sidewalk, 20 from curb. Loading and maintenance: 72 hours in any seven consecutive days, 40 feet or less.

Chapter 21 violations are misdemeanors under § 21.109, and civil penalties can also be issued under § 12.15 of the City Charter and § 1.19 of the city code. The general penalty clause, § 1.08, sets a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both, treats each day as a separate offense, and lets the city abate the condition as a public nuisance.

Loading Zones

Bloomington City Code § 21.301.06(j) requires off-street loading areas to keep truck maneuvering out of the public right-of-way, bars loading berths for vehicles over two ton capacity within 100 feet of a residential district unless walled in, and ends audible loading noise in residential districts between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Key details: Loading noise cutoff: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. where audible in a residential district. Berth distance: 100 feet from residential districts for vehicles over two ton capacity. Enclosure exception: Walls not less than eight feet in height. Vehicle sales lots: No loading 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. within 300 feet of homes. Right-of-way: Maneuvering into or out of loading spaces must stay off it.

Chapter 21 violations are misdemeanors under § 21.109, and civil penalties can also be issued under § 12.15 of the City Charter and § 1.19 of the city code. The general penalty clause, § 1.08, sets a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both, and counts each day a violation continues as a separate offense.

EV Charging

Bloomington City Code § 21.302.14 permits electric vehicle chargers in every zoning district when accessory to the primary use, but treats retail charging of vehicles that would not otherwise be on site as a convenience facility with fuel sales. Home chargers must be private and sit subject to principal building setbacks.

Key details: Where allowed: Every zoning district, when accessory to the primary use. Retail charging: Treated as a convenience facility with fuel sales. Parking credit threshold: Over five percent of spaces must be open and non-proprietary. Home chargers: Private use only, outdoor-rated if outside the garage. Fuel-sales dispenser setback: No less than 35 feet from any property line.

Chapter 21 violations are misdemeanors under § 21.109, and civil penalties can also be issued under § 12.15 of the City Charter and § 1.19 of the city code. The general penalty clause, § 1.08, sets a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

Bloomington is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 9 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Bloomington, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Bloomington can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.