Bloomington, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 9 § 9.18
HEIGHT BONUS (Bloomington Housing Opportunity and Preservation Ordinance)
Operative Text
(a) To incentivize the construction of a mixture of opportunity housing units for households at or below 60% of AMI, the developer of a multiplex or multiple-family development with at least 9% of its total dwelling or co-living units affordable to households at or below 60% of AMI qualifies for a height bonus of 10 additional feet above the height limit set forward on the City's height limits map.. (b) This section may not be interpreted to allow a height bonus that exceeds the requirements and limitation of the Federal Aviation Administration or the MSP Airport Zoning Ordinance. (Ord. 2019-16 , passed 2-25-2019; Ord. 2021-1 , passed 3-8-2021; Ord. 2025-07 , passed 4-28-2025; Ord. 2026-10 , passed 4-27-2026)
Bloomington, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 9.18 establishes a height bonus program that allows qualifying residential developments to build up to 10 feet taller than the standard height limit. To qualify, a multiplex or multiple-family development must dedicate at least 9% of its total dwelling or co-living units to households earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The bonus cannot override Federal Aviation Administration requirements or the MSP Airport Zoning Ordinance, whichever impose stricter limits.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 9.18, developers and property owners planning a multiplex or multiple-family project in Bloomington can access an additional 10 feet of building height by ensuring at least 9% of the project's total units are affordable to households at or below 60% AMI. Compliant operators typically document the affordability commitments for the qualifying units as part of the permitting process. Before relying on the bonus in design plans, operators generally verify that the resulting height does not conflict with FAA regulations or the MSP Airport Zoning Ordinance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 9.18 is a development incentive provision rather than a tenant-protection rule, but it is designed to encourage the creation of more affordable housing units for households at or below 60% AMI in Bloomington. Tenants seeking affordable units in newer multiplex or multiple-family developments may find that this provision has contributed to the availability of income-restricted units in those buildings. Tenants with questions about whether a specific development's affordable units are being maintained as required can reach out to the City of Bloomington's planning or housing department or consult a local tenant-rights organization for guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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