Bloomington, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 15 § 15.08
RESTRICTIONS TO BUILDINGS ON LOW LANDS (Bloomington Buildings and Structures Code)
Operative Text
(a) The low floor elevation of all new and reconstructed structures must be constructed at a minimum of two feet above the 100-year flood elevation where flood elevations have been established. Within landlocked basins, the low floor elevations of all new and reconstructed structures must be constructed at an elevation one foot above the surface overflow elevation or the calculated high water level from back-to-back 100-year, 24-hour storm events or the 100-year, ten-day snowmelt, whichever is higher. (b) All outside entryways (including garages) must be at least 18 inches above the center of street in front of the entry, unless other measures to assure proper drainage are provided and approved. (c) The plot plan submitted for a building permit shall indicate the elevation of all entryways (including garages) in relation to the street directly in front. For entry-ways less than 18 inches above the street, additional information must be provided to clearly indicate proposed drainage on the lot or parcel, its effect on adjacent properties, and the final disposal of storm water. The City Engineer shall review all plans wherein an entryway is proposed less than 18 inches above the centerline of the street. No building permits for such structures shall be issued until the report of the City Engineer has been received. (d) The requirements in subsections (a), (b) and (c) above shall be a condition of any permit issued for such dwelling, and it shall be the duty of the Director of Community Development to enforce compliance with said requirements. The fee for such permit shall be as set forth in City Code Appendix A . (1958 Code, § 35.27) (Ord. 71-19, passed 3-15-1971, renumbered to § 35.15; Ord. 72-61, passed 11-20-1972, renumbered to § 35.06; Ord. 73-8, passed 1-22-1973; Ord. 2015-28 , passed 11-2-2015; Ord. 2022-40 , passed 8-29-2022)
Bloomington, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 15.08 establishes minimum elevation standards for new and reconstructed structures in flood-prone and low-lying areas. Floors must be built at least two feet above the 100-year flood elevation, or higher within landlocked basins based on specific storm and snowmelt calculations. Outside entryways and garages are also subject to minimum height requirements relative to the street, and any proposed exceptions must be reviewed and approved by the City Engineer before a building permit can be issued.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and developers working on new construction or reconstruction in Bloomington must ensure compliance with the floor elevation and entryway height standards set out in § 15.08 before a building permit is issued. Compliant operators typically obtain certified elevation surveys, submit complete plot plans showing entryway elevations relative to the street, and coordinate with the City Engineer when any entryway falls below the 18-inch threshold. The Director of Community Development is responsible for enforcing these requirements, and permit fees are governed by City Code Appendix A.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in or considering a unit in a new or reconstructed structure in Bloomington may find it useful to know that § 15.08 requires the building to meet specific flood-elevation and drainage standards as a condition of its permit. If a structure appears to have been built without meeting these standards, residents can raise the issue with the Director of Community Development, who is charged with enforcing compliance. Tenant-rights organizations or local housing advocacy groups can help residents understand what documentation or complaint processes may be available to them.
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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