Apple Valley, MN Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Downtown Design Guide (2026)

Section 155.346(C) of the Apple Valley Code of Ordinances ties downtown projects to a separate design document. Areas and uses located in Downtown Apple Valley must conform to the design guidelines contained in the Downtown Design Guidelines, as formally adopted to the satisfaction of the City Council, in addition to the performance standards in § 155.346. The code prints only that reference; the guidelines themselves are a separate adopted document.

The code also draws the map. Downtown Apple Valley is the area located within the Ring Route, bounded by 147th Street to the north, 153rd Street to the south, Pennock Avenue to the west and Galaxie Avenue to the east. A site outside those four streets is not downtown for this purpose and answers only to the standards elsewhere in the chapter.

A conflict rule settles disputes. If any provision of § 155.346 conflicts with a term, condition or standard in the Downtown Development Design Guidelines, or with any provision of any other chapter of the code, the requirements set forth in § 155.346 govern.

Those base standards still bind downtown builders. Section 155.346(A) requires building site and landscape plans prepared by a professional skilled and trained to do so, with buildings designed to fit the site and stay harmonious with adjacent buildings, topography and natural surroundings. Under (B)(1), all exterior vertical surfaces of residential, commercial, industrial and institutional structures are treated as a front with an equally attractive fascia. Commercial buildings need a vertical exposed exterior finish of 100% non-combustible, non-degradable and maintenance-free materials such as face brick or natural stone, and metal roof-top surfaces need a non-reflective, glare-free coating (B)(4)(a). Rooftop mechanical equipment must be fully screened by a parapet wall or screen at least as tall as the equipment (B)(3)(a), and ground mounted equipment by a masonry wall or opaque landscape screen (B)(3)(b).