Sec. 31-504. Bed and breakfast.

Subd. 1. The city council recognizes that bed and breakfasts are an asset to the community and help
the preservation of historic homes because the expense of owning and maintaining historic homes has
made them less suitable for single-family dwellings. Conversion of historic houses into multifamily uses is
usually determined by the neighborhood where it is located. It is therefore the intention of the city to limit
bed and breakfast uses to those homes where the use would benefit the surrounding area by allowing
appropriate adaptive reuse of historic dwellings. Bed and breakfasts are permitted in the RCL district and
allowed with a special use permit in RB and RCM zoning districts as regulated in this Section 31-504 subject
to the following conditions:
(a) At least two off-street parking spaces must be provided onsite for the owner or manager and one
parking space for each room bed and breakfast unit. The parking spaces must be signed and the
parking plan approved by the community development director.
(b) The dining facilities must not be open to the public and must be used exclusively by the registered
guests unless allowed as a separate permitted or special use.
(c) Bed and breakfast uses in residential areas must be located at least 900 feet apart (approximately
three blocks).
(d) An identification sign not exceeding four square feet may be located on the site. The sign must
match the architectural features of the structure.
(e) Bed and breakfast establishments are prohibited in all other districts.
(f)

The bed and breakfast structure must be at least 100 years old or show proof of historic
significance to the city.

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(g) The maximum of five bed and breakfast guestrooms may be established in a structure. The
following lot and structure size criteria determines the number of guestrooms allowed:

Max. Number
Guestrooms Permitted

Original
Number
of
Bedrooms

Max. Gross
House Size,
Not Including Basement,
in Square Feet

Min. Zoning Lot

Size in Square Feet

Up to 2,499

7,500

2,5002,999

10,000

3,0003,499

10,000

3,5004,999

15,000

5,000 up

20,000

Stillwater, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances

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Maximum gross house size is determined by using the total square footage of habitable living
space within the structure. The number of original bedrooms in the structure will determine the
number of guestrooms that will be allowed. This determination will be made by the heritage
preservation commission. In the case of a family with children the family's bedroom use must be
determined before the number of permitted guestrooms are determined, and no family member
must be displaced for a guestroom.
_____
(h) Adequate lighting must be provided between the structure and parking areas for safety contiguous
to residential structures.
(i)

Additional external lighting is prohibited.

(j)

An establishment must show proof of city building, fire and planning inspections, proof of
operation licenses by the county and must submit the state sales and use tax number for their
business to the community development department.

(k) Restoration or additions must meet the Secretary of Interior's standards for rehabilitation.
(l)

All bed and breakfast special use permits must be reviewed annually by the community
development department. A report must be submitted to the planning commission and city council
during November of each year.

Stillwater, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances

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