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

City Code Sec. 11.60, Subd. 21 establishes the CGD to provide compact, mixed-use development implementing the City of Eagan Cedar Grove Design Framework through specific standards on site planning, architecture, building materials, landscaping and signage. Rather than a conventional front setback, Subd. 21(E) sets a build-to line: the minimum front setback is zero feet and the maximum is ten feet from the right-of-way or property line, and at least 85 percent of a lot's street frontage must be occupied by building facades meeting that line, with no more than 15 percent given over to off-street parking facing the street.

Side yards for the principal structure have a zero-foot minimum, while the rear yard requires 20 feet. Building height in the district is capped at 50 feet, with a 24-foot minimum, though taller buildings may be approved by conditional use permit. Detailed architectural standards follow: exterior walls longer than 50 feet need visual relief through material changes or offsets, primary materials such as brick, stone or glass must cover at least 60 percent of a facade, and painted brick or mirrored glass is prohibited outright.

Signage is tightly controlled, with wall signs confined to a band no more than three feet tall between 10 and 15 feet above ground, projecting signs capped at 12 square feet, and box or cabinet signs banned entirely. Lighting must use downcast cutoff fixtures no more than 20 feet above ground, with exterior parking lot lighting averaging one and one-half foot-candles. The Advisory Planning Commission reviews design conformance for all CGD applications as part of standard land use and zoning review.