(A) Applicability.
(1) The outdoor storage requirements in this section apply to the storage of goods, materials, machines, equipment, vehicles or parts outside of a building for more than 72 hours.
(2) These requirements apply only to lots occupied by a non-residential primary use or undeveloped lots in a non-residential zoning district.
(3) These requirements do not apply to:
(a) Fleet and service vehicles associated with an allowed land use when parked outdoors in a legally established parking area;
(b) Vehicle inventory parked outdoors as part of an allowed vehicle sales and rental use; or
(c) Temporary storage of construction materials reasonably required for construction work on the premises pursuant to a valid building permit.
(B) Non-conformities. Uses non-conforming to this section must be brought into conformance when required by § 155.424.030 (Non-conforming Site Features).
(C) Where allowed. Outdoor storage is allowed as a primary use only in zoning districts identified in the allowed use tables in the Zoning District Standards subchapter. Outdoor storage is also allowed as an accessory use for the storage of goods associated with a primary non-residential use in accordance with § 155.304.020 (Accessory Uses).
(D) Screening.
(1) Outdoor storage areas must be screened with a minimum six-foot high solid fence or wall so as not to be visible from any:
(a) Public street or highway; or
(b) Residential zoning district or use.
(2) Screening fences and walls may not exceed the maximum allowed height identified in Table 320-1 of § 155.320 (Fences and Walls) and may not use prohibited fence materials identified in Table 320-2.
(E) Surfacing.
(1)
Outdoor storage areas must be surfaced with an all-weather material (such as asphalt, concrete or comparable surfacing material approved by the Public Works Director) and graded to provide adequate storm water drainage.
(2) Outdoor storage areas may be surfaced with partially permeable materials if adequate drainage, erosion and dust control are provided. Unpaved outdoor storage areas are not subject to the parking lot landscaping requirements contained in § 155.324.080 (Parking Lot Landscaping).
(3) Outdoor storage of hazardous materials requires a roof or awning over the materials and either a dead-end sump to contain spills or containment in the form of berms, dikes or curbs. All hazardous materials regulated by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control must be placed on a surface as deemed appropriate by the permitting agency. In addition, the surface must conform to all applicable federal and state air and water quality standards.
(F) Shipping containers in industrial zoning districts. Metal shipping containers (e.g., CONEX boxes) qualify as outdoor storage and are permitted in all industrial zoning districts. Shipping containers are subject to all of the outdoor storage standards provided in this subsection.
(G) Standards for shipping containers.
(1) A metal shipping container must be located at least five feet from a property line, and shipping containers that are accessory to the main occupancy use, and are located less than ten feet from the primary structure, are limited to no more than 10% of the floor area of the primary structure.
(2) The size of a shipping container shall not exceed 45 feet in length, ten feet in height, and the storage area shall not exceed 400 square feet.
(3) When a metal shipping container is located within ten feet of a property line adjoining an alley, the side of the container parallel to the alley may not be longer than one-half the length of the alley frontage. For example, when a shipping container is placed within ten feet of a property line adjoining an alley on a 50-foot-wide parcel, the side of the shipping container parallel to the alley may not be more than 25 feet long, or ½ the width of the alley frontage. See Figure 304-1
(4) When a permanent structure and a proposed metal shipping container are located within ten feet of a property line adjoining an alley, the side of the container parallel to the alley may not be longer than one-half the length of the open alley frontage. Open alley frontage is that portion of the alley frontage where no permanent structure is located on the site within ten feet of the property line adjoining the alley. For example, on a 50-foot-wide parcel, if a 28-foot-wide structure already exists within ten feet of the property line adjoining an alley, and the metal shipping container is proposed within ten feet of the alley property, the side of the shipping container parallel to the alley may not be more than 11 feet long, or ½ the width of the open alley frontage (50 - 28 = 22/2 = 11 ft). See Figure 304-2
(5) When a proposed metal shipping container is located ten or more feet from a property line adjoining an alley, the width of the side of the container facing the alley is limited only by Building and Fire Code standards. See Figure 304-3
(6) When a shipping container is used for the storage of hazardous materials, quantities of hazardous materials may not exceed those listed in California Building Code Table 307.1(1), or Table 307.1(2), and must be stored in compliance with the California Building and Fire Codes.
(7) Installation of a metal shipping container may require a Building Permit as required by the California Building Code.
(H) Shipping containers in the SC zoning district. Metal shipping containers (e.g., CONEX boxes) qualify as outdoor storage and are permitted in the SC zoning district. Shipping containers are subject to all of the outdoor storage standards provided in this subsection.
(1) Metal shipping containers in the SC zoning district must:
(a) Be located behind the primary structure when space permits. Where it is physically impossible to locate the shipping container behind the primary structure, the container must be located as close to the rear of the site as possible. A metal shipping container may not be located within the area between the front or exterior side property line and the plane of the primary structure wall.
(b) Painted to match or complement the existing primary structure on the site and must be maintained in good condition and avoid conditions that contribute to blight, including but not limited to, rust, peeling paint, and other visible forms of deterioration. Inclusion or installation of public art on the shipping container is permissible and is not required to match or complement the existing primary structure.
(c) Be located on the ground, and may not be stacked on top of another shipping container.
(2) Section 155.304.110(H) (Shipping Containers in the SC zoning district) is effective only until October 1, 2031, at which time it will expire and be of no further effect. Shipping containers existing in the SC zoning district as of the expiration of this section must either be removed from the site on or before October 31, 2031, or will continue as a non-conforming use and structure, and will be subject to the requirements in § 155.424 (Nonconformities).
(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 916-C.S., passed 7-6-21; Am. Ord. 925-C.S., passed 9-7-21; Am. Ord. 951-C.S., passed 10-17-23)