St. Paul drive‑through rules tightened; new zoning tweaks limit sites and require safer designs
St. Paul’s City Council has approved citywide restrictions on new drive‑throughs, banning them downtown and significantly limiting them along transit corridors and in pedestrian‑oriented zones while imposing detailed standards for queue length and circulation. The ordinance requires designs that keep drive‑through lanes from crossing primary pedestrian approaches to storefronts and accompanies simplified standards in mixed‑use zoning areas to promote safer, more walkable development.
📌 Key Facts
- On March 5, 2026, the St. Paul City Council formally approved new rules governing future drive‑throughs citywide.
- The ordinance applies to new drive‑throughs (future projects) across St. Paul rather than existing facilities.
- New drive‑throughs will be prohibited in downtown St. Paul and significantly restricted along transit corridors and in certain pedestrian‑oriented zones.
- The rules establish detailed standards for queue length and circulation to reduce traffic and operational impacts.
- Design requirements now prohibit drive‑through lanes from crossing primary pedestrian paths to storefronts, tightening safety and walkability expectations for new projects.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2024, 7,148 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States, down 4.3% from the previous year but still nearly 20% higher than a decade ago.
Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2024 Preliminary Data — Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)
Drive-through facilities negatively affect pedestrian safety because drivers are less likely to be alert, increasing the risk of accidents.
Prohibit or Limit the Use of Drive-Through Services — Sustainable City Code
Americans visit drive-thru lanes approximately 6 billion times a year, contributing to traffic congestion in urban areas.
Drive-thrus are creating problems for cities and towns — CBS News
In St. Paul, drive-throughs inhibit trip chaining for pedestrians, which is a strategic advantage for local businesses, and they create safety concerns by encouraging vehicle movements in pedestrian areas.
Drive Throughs Zoning Study TO — City of St. Paul
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- The St. Paul City Council has formally approved new rules governing future drive‑throughs citywide.
- New drive‑throughs will be prohibited in downtown and significantly restricted along transit corridors and in certain pedestrian‑oriented zones, with detailed standards for queue length and circulation.
- The ordinance requires designs that prevent drive‑through lanes from crossing primary pedestrian paths to storefronts, tightening safety and walkability expectations for new projects.