A. Residential Zoning Districts: All materials and equipment shall be stored within a building or fully screened so as not to be visible from adjoining properties, except for the following:
1. Agricultural equipment and materials if these are used or intended for use on the premises.
2. Boats and house trailers, less than twenty feet (20') in length, are permissible if stored in a side or rear yard not less than ten feet (10') distance from any property line.
3. Construction and landscaping materials and equipment currently being used for construction on the premises.
4. Laundry drying equipment.
5. Off street parking except as otherwise regulated herein.
6. Outdoor furniture and lawn and garden equipment.
7. Swings, slides and other play equipment.
8. Wood for burning in a fireplace, stove or furnace provided it is stored as follows:
a. In a neat and secure stack, not exceeding five feet (5').
b. The wood stack is not infested with rodents.
c. The wood is not kept in a front yard.
B. Nonresidential Zoning Districts:
1. Outside Storage/Display:
a. Exterior storage and display shall be governed by the respective zoning district in which such use is located.
b. The area used for outside storage shall be hard surfaced with blacktop or concrete, unless specifically approved by the City Council, to control dust and drainage.
c. All exterior storage shall be located in the rear or side yard and shall be screened in accordance with the standards in subsection 10-4-8A of this chapter, so as not to be visible from adjoining properties and public streets except for the following:
(1) Merchandise being displayed for sale in accordance with zoning district requirements, subject to approval of a conditional use permit. The conditional use permit shall only be granted if the City Council finds:
(A) The proposed storage/display is clearly accessory to the principal use.
(B) The proposed storage/display will not conflict with any required parking areas, drive aisles or loading areas.
(C) The proposed storage/display will only be located in approved areas.
(2) Materials and equipment currently being used for construction on the premises.
C. All Zoning Districts:
1. Passenger automobiles and trucks not currently licensed by the State, or which are incapable of movement under their own power due to mechanical deficiency, which are parked or stored outside for a period in excess of ninety six (96) hours, and all materials stored outside in violation of the City ordinances are considered refuse or junk and shall be disposed of pursuant to City regulations.
2. Any accumulation of refuse not stored in containers which comply with this Code, or any accumulation of refuse including car parts is hereby declared to be a nuisance and may be abated by order of the Zoning Administrator, as provided by Minnesota Statutes and title 6, chapter 3 of this Code. The cost of abatement shall be recovered in accordance with the applicable provisions of title 6, chapter 3 of this Code.
3. Except for temporary construction trailers and mobile services operated by public service agencies (i.e., bookmobile, bloodmobiles, etc.) as allowed by the City, and trailers parked in a designated and improved loading area, no vehicle may be used for office, business, industrial manufacturing, testing, or storage of items used with or in a business, commercial or industrial enterprise, unless otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator.
4. The City Council may order the owner of any property to cease or modify open storage uses including existing uses, provided it is found that such use constitutes a threat to the public health, safety, convenience, or general welfare.
D. Storage Of Garbage And Trash:
1. No exterior incineration of trash or garbage is permissible.
2. No exterior storage of trash or garbage is permissible except in an accessory building enclosed by fully opaque walls and/or fully opaque fences. These required trash enclosures shall have a concrete foundation or other similar surface approved by the Zoning Administrator. The exterior color of the walls and/or fences of the trash enclosure shall match the primary exterior color of the principal structure. Covered garbage cans in Agricultural and Single-Family Districts are exempt from these screening requirements.
3. Any accumulation of refuse not stored in containers which comply with this Code, or any accumulation of refuse including car parts which has remained on a property for more than thirty (30) days is hereby declared to be a nuisance and may be abated by order of the Zoning Administrator, as provided by Minnesota Statutes. (Ord. 2019-001, 3-19-2019; amd. Ord. 2021-020, 12-21-2021)