New Parking Ramp Ordinance

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Bloomington’s New Parking Ramp Ordinance: Enhancing Safety and Maintenance

The City of Bloomington has approved a new parking ramp licensing ordinance, which will go into effect in January 2026. This ordinance underscores the City’s commitment to public safety and infrastructure integrity by requiring parking ramps older than five years to undergo a structured and ongoing monitoring process. As Bloomington continues to redevelop and grow, many existing structures are aging, highlighting the need for consistent, proactive oversight of parking ramp conditions.

Why This Ordinance Matters

A well-maintained parking ramp is vital not only for vehicle storage but also for the safety of residents, employees, and visitors—especially as many ramps are integrated into residential and large commercial buildings. Key objectives of the ordinance include:

  1. Promoting Safety: Parking ramps experience significant wear and tear over time. Regular inspections and monitoring help reduce risks associated with structural deterioration or failure.
  2. Encouraging Maintenance: The licensing requirements ensure property owners remain informed about the condition of their ramps and comply with safety standards outlined in the State Building Code.
  3. Supporting Data Collection: The ordinance enables the City to gather consistent and comprehensive data on the condition of aging ramps, helping to guide future planning and infrastructure decisions.

The success of this new licensing program will continue to rely on clear communication and engagement with the community. If you have questions or would like to share feedback, please provide your comments below.

The Approved ordinance is available HERE.

(Updated November 25, 2025)


Bloomington’s New Parking Ramp Ordinance: Enhancing Safety and Maintenance

The City of Bloomington has approved a new parking ramp licensing ordinance, which will go into effect in January 2026. This ordinance underscores the City’s commitment to public safety and infrastructure integrity by requiring parking ramps older than five years to undergo a structured and ongoing monitoring process. As Bloomington continues to redevelop and grow, many existing structures are aging, highlighting the need for consistent, proactive oversight of parking ramp conditions.

Why This Ordinance Matters

A well-maintained parking ramp is vital not only for vehicle storage but also for the safety of residents, employees, and visitors—especially as many ramps are integrated into residential and large commercial buildings. Key objectives of the ordinance include:

  1. Promoting Safety: Parking ramps experience significant wear and tear over time. Regular inspections and monitoring help reduce risks associated with structural deterioration or failure.
  2. Encouraging Maintenance: The licensing requirements ensure property owners remain informed about the condition of their ramps and comply with safety standards outlined in the State Building Code.
  3. Supporting Data Collection: The ordinance enables the City to gather consistent and comprehensive data on the condition of aging ramps, helping to guide future planning and infrastructure decisions.

The success of this new licensing program will continue to rely on clear communication and engagement with the community. If you have questions or would like to share feedback, please provide your comments below.

The Approved ordinance is available HERE.

(Updated November 25, 2025)

Questions and Comments

Please provide your questions and comments. If a question is submitted, staff will respond in a timely manner. Thank you. 

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  • Share Does this include executive parking, below grade, only accessible by office tenants? on Facebook Share Does this include executive parking, below grade, only accessible by office tenants? on Twitter Share Does this include executive parking, below grade, only accessible by office tenants? on Linkedin Email Does this include executive parking, below grade, only accessible by office tenants? link

    Does this include executive parking, below grade, only accessible by office tenants?

    Amy asked 8 months ago

    If it is completely underground, it would be exempt.

  • Share A ramp is completely different than a underground garage. I have 2 underground garages in Bloomington. they are both sprinklered and inspected yearly by Enviromental Health and the Fire Dept. The garages have apartments or people living above them. The ceilings are made of concrete. There is a big difference with a ramp with cars diving on them and being exposed to weather. Please do not add this cost on to apartment building with underground garages it is not necessary. on Facebook Share A ramp is completely different than a underground garage. I have 2 underground garages in Bloomington. they are both sprinklered and inspected yearly by Enviromental Health and the Fire Dept. The garages have apartments or people living above them. The ceilings are made of concrete. There is a big difference with a ramp with cars diving on them and being exposed to weather. Please do not add this cost on to apartment building with underground garages it is not necessary. on Twitter Share A ramp is completely different than a underground garage. I have 2 underground garages in Bloomington. they are both sprinklered and inspected yearly by Enviromental Health and the Fire Dept. The garages have apartments or people living above them. The ceilings are made of concrete. There is a big difference with a ramp with cars diving on them and being exposed to weather. Please do not add this cost on to apartment building with underground garages it is not necessary. on Linkedin Email A ramp is completely different than a underground garage. I have 2 underground garages in Bloomington. they are both sprinklered and inspected yearly by Enviromental Health and the Fire Dept. The garages have apartments or people living above them. The ceilings are made of concrete. There is a big difference with a ramp with cars diving on them and being exposed to weather. Please do not add this cost on to apartment building with underground garages it is not necessary. link

    A ramp is completely different than a underground garage. I have 2 underground garages in Bloomington. they are both sprinklered and inspected yearly by Enviromental Health and the Fire Dept. The garages have apartments or people living above them. The ceilings are made of concrete. There is a big difference with a ramp with cars diving on them and being exposed to weather. Please do not add this cost on to apartment building with underground garages it is not necessary.

    Andrew Akins asked 7 months ago

    After further evaluation, the City has revised the draft and underground garages will no longer be included as part of this ordinance.

  • Share For buildings that already do this, can the city provide an exemption from the fee as long as proof is provided? on Facebook Share For buildings that already do this, can the city provide an exemption from the fee as long as proof is provided? on Twitter Share For buildings that already do this, can the city provide an exemption from the fee as long as proof is provided? on Linkedin Email For buildings that already do this, can the city provide an exemption from the fee as long as proof is provided? link

    For buildings that already do this, can the city provide an exemption from the fee as long as proof is provided?

    Sarah Anderson asked 6 months ago

    At this time, the City does not foresee an exemption of the fee as staff time will still be needed for the processing of the application, review of the structural report and any needed follow up on the license.

  • Share Does this only Apply to Parking Ramps and not to indoor below grade parking as part of a residential building? on Facebook Share Does this only Apply to Parking Ramps and not to indoor below grade parking as part of a residential building? on Twitter Share Does this only Apply to Parking Ramps and not to indoor below grade parking as part of a residential building? on Linkedin Email Does this only Apply to Parking Ramps and not to indoor below grade parking as part of a residential building? link

    Does this only Apply to Parking Ramps and not to indoor below grade parking as part of a residential building?

    LKM asked 8 months ago

    Below grade parking structures are also included in this ordinance. It is for all above ground, stand-alone and underground parking structure/ramps.

  • Share What is the yearly cost and what are the yearly requirements for the owner of the ramp? on Facebook Share What is the yearly cost and what are the yearly requirements for the owner of the ramp? on Twitter Share What is the yearly cost and what are the yearly requirements for the owner of the ramp? on Linkedin Email What is the yearly cost and what are the yearly requirements for the owner of the ramp? link

    What is the yearly cost and what are the yearly requirements for the owner of the ramp?

    Peter B asked 8 months ago

    The license will be a bi-annual license, only needed to be renewed every other year. The owner will need to submit an engineers report from a MN licensed engineer with experience in parking structure/ramp inspection to the City during the initial application and upon every other year renewal. The inspection must have been completed no more than 6 months prior to the renewal application date.

  • Share Being that the city Built and possibly owns multiple parking ramps utilized by commercial businesses. Who will be responsible for paying the fees associated with this parking inspection process the city or the business property that the parking ramp is located on. on Facebook Share Being that the city Built and possibly owns multiple parking ramps utilized by commercial businesses. Who will be responsible for paying the fees associated with this parking inspection process the city or the business property that the parking ramp is located on. on Twitter Share Being that the city Built and possibly owns multiple parking ramps utilized by commercial businesses. Who will be responsible for paying the fees associated with this parking inspection process the city or the business property that the parking ramp is located on. on Linkedin Email Being that the city Built and possibly owns multiple parking ramps utilized by commercial businesses. Who will be responsible for paying the fees associated with this parking inspection process the city or the business property that the parking ramp is located on. link

    Being that the city Built and possibly owns multiple parking ramps utilized by commercial businesses. Who will be responsible for paying the fees associated with this parking inspection process the city or the business property that the parking ramp is located on.

    GIII asked 8 months ago

    For the parking ramp licensing fees, for the initial license fee, it would be the responsibility of the owner to obtain the license, there may be a separate contract or agreement that the operator would be responsible for this fee in lieu of the owner, but for our purposes, the owner is responsible for obtaining the license and making sure that the fees are paid. The renewal invoice will be sent to the owner of record bi-annually.

Page last updated: 02 Dec 2025, 12:16 PM