Land Use Forms and Applications
The City's Community Development Department oversees many land use applications, which are described below. Please call us at 763-572-3592 for help on any of these applications or for determining what you need.
There is one schedule for the application deadline and review of the land use items listed on this page.
Zoning
Zoning information is on the Zoning Information page.
Applications for Developments within Current Zoning and Land Use Regulations
Special Use Permit
Issued for those uses of property specifically authorized by the zoning ordinance, but not permitted unless reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council so that stipulations may be placed upon approval to ensure compatibility with surrounding properties. Special Uses allowed vary by zoning district.
Application requirements:
- Written narrative explaining request
- Certificate of Survey
- Site Plan
- Floor Plan of existing buildings
- Grading, Drainage, Erosion, Stormwater, & Utility Plans (as necessary)
Resources:
Variance
A Variance allows a deviation from the dimensional (e.g., height, bulk, yard size) requirements of the zoning ordinance. Variances may be sought in all zoning districts and for signs.
Application requirements:
- Written narrative explaining request
- Certificate of Survey
- Site Plan
- Elevation of structure & description of materials
- Code-compliant landscape plan
- Grading, Drainage, Erosion, Stormwater, & Utility Plans (as necessary)
Resources:
Reasonable Accommodation
A process by which the City may provide an individual with a disability flexibility in the application of land use, zoning, or other regulations that serve as a barrier to fair housing.
Application requirements:
- Written narrative explaining request
- Proposed language for the requested change
Resources:
Telecommunications Site Permit
A permit is necessary to locate telecommunication towers and equipment within the City of Fridley. Sites that are not already approved also need to obtain a special use permit.
Application requirements:
- Grading, Drainage, Erosion, Stormwater, & Utility Plans (as necessary)
Resources:
Interim Use Permit
An interim use is a temporary use of property until a particular date, until the occurrence of a particular event, or until zoning regulations no longer permit it. An Interim Use Permit gives the City the discretion to determine the limited-term suitability of certain uses on the general health, welfare and public safety of the general public. Applications for Interim Uses but must be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council.
Application requirements:
- Written narrative explaining request
- Certificate of Survey
- Site Plan/Floor Plan and Elevation of property
- Grading, Drainage, Erosion, Stormwater, & Utility Plans (as necessary)
Resources:
Applications to Change Zoning or Other Land Use Regulations
Rezoning
A change to the City's official zoning map that effects a change in the nature, density, or intensity of uses allowed on a designated parcel or land area via a change of zoning classification. Please note—zoning must be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan’s guidance for the property. In some cases, rezoning may not be possible without a Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
Application requirements:
- Written narrative explaining request
- Proposed language for the requested change
Resources:
Text Amendment
A change to the City's official code that effects the nature of a City ordinance.
Application requirements:
- Written narrative explaining request
- Proposed language for the requested change
Resources:
S-2 Redevelopment District Development
Any change made to a property in the S-2 zoning district requires master plan approval from the Planning Commission and City Council.
Application requirements:
- Written narrative explaining request
- Certificate of Survey
- Site Plan
- Elevation(s) of structure & description of materials
- Code-compliant landscape plan
- Grading, Drainage, Erosion, Stormwater, & Utility Plans (as necessary)
Resources:
Transit Oriented Development Master Plan
Any development within the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) District requires master plan approval from the Planning Commission and the City Council.
Application requirements:
- Written narrative explaining request
- Certificate of Survey
- Site Plan
- Elevation of structure & description of materials
- Grading, Drainage, Erosion, Stormwater, & Utility Plans (as necessary)
- Preliminary Plant
- Proposed language for the requested change
Resources:
Comprehensive Plan Amendment
The Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) is the guiding document for the future development of Fridley. Each City in the metropolitan area is required to update their plan every 10 years. Those who wish to make changes to sections of the comprehensive plan (e.g., to support zoning changes or a particular proposed development) may make application to the City with their proposed changes.
Application requirements:
- Written narrative explaining request
- Proposed language for the requested change
Resources:
Applications to Change the Organization of Land
Vacation of Street, Alley, or Easement
The City's termination of, or termination of interest in, an easement, street, or alleyway.
Application requirements:
- Written narrative explaining request
- Certificate of Survey
- Grading, Drainage, Erosion, Stormwater, & Utility plans (as needed)
- Petition from all abutting property owners consenting to the request
- Legal description of the property
Resources:
Subdivision for Plat / Lot Split
This is a process for dividing land into two or more lots. A lot split is dividing a single parcel into two individual parcels that can be described as a simple fractional part of an existing City-approved plat.
Application requirements:
- Grading, Drainage, Erosion, Stormwater, & Utility Plans (as required)
- Certificate of Survey (for lot split) by a licensed surveyor. Showing north arrow, existing and proposed lot lines, existing and proposed legal descriptions, existing improvements, etc.
- Preliminary Plat (for plat) by a licensed surveyor. Showing north arrow, existing and proposed lot lines, existing and proposed legal descriptions, easements, spot elevations, existing improvements, etc.
Resources:
Plat
This is a process for reorganizing land.
Application requirements:
- Grading, Drainage, Erosion, Stormwater, & Utility Plans (as required)
- Preliminary Plat (for plat) by a licensed surveyor. Showing north arrow, existing and proposed lot lines, existing and proposed legal descriptions, easements, spot elevations, existing improvements, etc.
Resources:
Applications for Existing Structures and Uses
Temporary Outdoor Display Permit
This permit is for businesses to have a temporary sales of merchandise outside of their building. The merchandise needs to be associated with the business on the property. These displays are allowed twice a year with a permit.
Application requirements:
- Written narrative explaining request
- Site Plan
Resources:
Non-Conforming Expansion Permit
An expansion permit may be approved administratively by staff for an existing non-conforming structure. It is specific to an expansion that isn't expanding on a non-conforming aspect of the property. (For example: an existing house doesn't meet the 25 ft. front yard setback, and a property owner wants to add an addition to the back of the home. Provided the addition meets the rear yard setback, an expansion permit may be approved to acknowledge the non-conforming front yard setback.) This permit does not replace the necessity for a building permit.
Application requirements:
- Written narrative explaining request
- Certificate of Survey
- Elevation of structure & description of materials
- Legal description of property
Resources:
Signs
Read more about permit requirements for Permanent and Temporary Signs on our Signs webpage.
Applications for Financial Assistance
Tax increment financing (TIF) Assistance
Tax increment financing is a tool used by cities to finance certain types of real estate development costs. The primary purpose of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is to attract private investment that will:
- Redevelop blighted areas
- Provide housing for low and moderate income individuals and families
- result in increased employment opportunities and tax base.
Developers may request TIF assistance(DOCX, 74KB) from the Fridley Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). A $7,500 fee is due at the time of application. This fee will be used to establish an initial Preliminary Planning Fund budget to analyze the request.
To discuss your project and potential TIF application, contact the Fridley HRA.
Download a fillable application for TIF assistance(DOCX, 74KB). A $7,500 fee is due at the time of application.
Loans & Grants
Financial Assistance may be available for home owners and business owners to complete their projects. Review the following web pages: