Feb 18, 2026 - News

St. Paul's drive-thru limits nearing a vote

Kyle Stokes

Illustration of a pattern of drive-through signs and retro star graphics — Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

After flirting with a citywide ban on drive-thrus last year, the St. Paul City Council on Wednesday will weigh new restrictions on where banks, restaurants and pharmacies can open new drive-thru lanes.

Why it matters: The move is designed to prevent another "Carbucks" — a poorly designed drive-thru at Snelling & Marshall that symbolized how bad a traffic and pedestrian safety problem drive-thrus can be.

The proposal has also frustrated critics who say drive-thrus are convenient and a lucrative source of business.

Driving the news: Under the proposal, anyone hoping to open a new drive-thru lane would be required to offer more "stacking" spaces for waiting cars.

A fast-food joint's drive-thru would need room for 12 cars. (The current standard is four.)
New bank or pharmacy drive-thrus would need room for six cars — and 14 cars at coffee shops.

Zoom in: Existing drive-thrus would be grandfathered in.

What's next: The council will take public testimony on Wednesday, and could vote on the item as early as next week, the Pioneer Press reported.

Add Axios on Google

St. Paul's drive-thru limits nearing a vote

More Twin Cities stories