Safe Outdoor Parking Program
At a glance
Based on human-uploaded captions, which may still contain errors in names and numbers.
- What: a pair of ordinances creating a legal, licensed way for nonprofit, religious or government operators to run overnight safe parking lots for people living in their vehicles. One amends zoning (an interim use permit); the other sets business licensing rules. Authors: Council Member Chavez, Council Member Stevenson, Vice Chair Chowdhury and Council Member Chughtai.
- Where it stands: after a public hearing on the licensing ordinance and about 90 minutes of presentation, testimony and debate, the committee sent both ordinances (agenda items 3 and 15) to the full Council with a recommendation of approval, as amended. The voice vote was not unanimous (at least one nay).
- Next: the authors said they are seeking a final Council vote on October 29, 2026. If passed, signed and not vetoed, implementation would start January 1, 2027.
What the ordinances do
- Zoning: an interim use permit of up to five years (no conversion to a conditional use permit), with a public hearing; allowed in all zoning districts but only on lawfully existing off-street parking with a lot of at least 10,000 square feet. The operator must submit a management plan. Findings required: not detrimental to health or safety, not injurious to the surrounding area, adequate utilities and access, and a certain end date. The Planning Commission approved the zoning part unanimously after its own public hearing.
- Licensing: operator must be a nonprofit, religious organization or government agency; management, security and public safety plans reviewed by licensing staff and the police department; on-site staff during all operating hours; a registry of patrons; permanent restrooms, drinking water, hand hygiene; trash service; public liability insurance; code of conduct; no open fires, alternative heat sources, amplified sound, weapons, alcohol or non-prescribed substances.
- Hours: sites may operate only 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., with quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Amendment adopted: licensing officials must file an annual public outcomes report to the committee covering use of the sites and housing outcomes of participants.
- Background cited by the authors: the Council declared unsheltered homelessness a public health emergency in December 2023; models cited were Duluth (Safe Bay, seasonal, about 10 vehicles a night, about 164 people served and 17 moved to permanent housing in one operating period, eight police calls in about six months, roughly $800 a day) and a Denver pilot that ended December 31, 2024.
Public testimony
- About 16 speakers. Most supported the ordinance: faith and outreach volunteers, a shelter provider, residents and people who have lived in their vehicles. Several called it a good first step but not a substitute for housing, and some asked for no police role at sites.
- Concerns raised: poor timing given budget conditions; siting in residential neighborhoods and a 300-foot notice area that is too small; drug use and safety at sites; a police presence deterring people from using them.
Debate
- Council Member Rainville and Council Member Warren said they would vote to advance it but had more questions (Warren: safety, liability, who is watched and verified, police staffing, insurance of vehicle owners). The authors offered briefings.
- Council Member Shaffer questioned the financial model (no funding is allocated; a $100,000 2025 budget amendment likely no longer exists), vehicle idling in winter and city staffing, and said the proposal is premature and that Shaffer could not support it.
- Authors answered that providers carry the costs (Duluth runs mostly on grants and donations), that the ordinance requires no city payment, and that cold weather and seasonality are left to each management plan. Insurance: the operator carries liability insurance; vehicle insurance is not verified (Duluth does not require it).
- Chair Osman said he had doubts but would support it because people are dying outdoors.
Sources
- 2026-10-20 - Business, Housing & Zoning Committee (video of the October 20, 2026 meeting)
- 2026-10-20 - Business, Housing & Zoning Committee
- Minneapolis agenda portal: https://lims.minneapolismn.gov
Discussion time
About 87 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-20 - Business, Housing & Zoning Committee | 87 |
Log
- 2026-10-20 - Business, Housing & Zoning Committee - public hearing with about 16 speakers; authors presented; committee moved both ordinances to the full Council with a recommendation of approval, as amended, on a voice vote with at least one nay; Council Member Shaffer said the proposal is premature and could not be supported.
2026-10-20 - Business, Housing & Zoning Committee
Marked agenda: the licensing ordinance (new Chapter 296) was approved as amended and the zoning ordinance (Title 20 chapters 525, 540, 545, 555, 565) was approved; both go to the Council on October 29.