Blue Earth County, MN Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)

Section 24-310 of the Blue Earth County Code governs parking and loading for every building or use established after June 8, 1996 in unincorporated areas outside Mankato, North Mankato and the county's other cities. Subsection (b) requires that all loading spaces be sufficient to meet the requirements of each use and provide adequate space for storage and maneuvering of the vehicles they serve. Subsection (q) sets the minimum number of off-street loading and unloading spaces by use: retail stores, service establishments and office buildings need one space for the first 10,000 square feet of gross floor area and one additional space for each further 50,000 square feet; nursing homes need one space plus one more per 100,000 square feet; restaurants over 10,000 square feet need one space; manufacturing, fabrication, warehousing and storage uses need one space for each 30,000 square feet of gross floor area.

Under subsection (c), loading space already provided to meet these standards cannot later be reduced below the chapter's requirements, and required loading area cannot be used to store goods or store vehicles that are inoperable or held for sale or rent. Any land development permit application requiring more than four parking or loading spaces must include a site plan under subsection (l), approved by the planning agency, showing dimensioned layouts and emergency vehicle access before occupancy begins. The Environmental Services Department's zoning administrator reviews these site plans as part of the construction permit process.