(A) Location of portable storage units.
(1) Portable storage units may be temporarily located in single-family zoning districts so long as they shall be placed only in the driveway, are not located in the right-of-way and do not obstruct the sidewalk.
(2) Portable storage units may be allowed in multi-family zoning districts only upon the applicant demonstrating, to the satisfaction of the city, that the specific location and site has sufficient space to place a portable storage unit and continue to provide adequate parking, public safety access and comply with all health, safety and welfare concerns.
(3) Sites in residential zoning districts are governed by the provisions of this LDC.
(B) Size of portable storage units. The portable storage unit shall be no larger than 130 square feet in area and no higher than ten feet from grade.
(C) Permits.
(1) Prior to commencing business in the city, or otherwise placing portable storage units on sites within the city, the portable storage company must obtain an annual permit, at a fee of $500, from the city outlining the obligations and requirements prior to conducting business in the city.
(2) The portable storage company, which has obtained an annual permit to conduct business in the city, shall provide the user, at the point of purchase, with written information detailing the user's rights and obligations under this section. The portable storage company shall further provide such information to users who access the company's services by telephone, the Internet or other means. The city will provide the portable storage company the information; the portable storage company shall provide copies to the user at the portable storage company's expense.
(3) Zoning approval is required for the placement of a portable storage unit on a residential site for any time period greater than 14 days. The owner/occupant may apply for zoning approval when there is an active building permit on the subject property. Application for the zoning approval shall be made to the city on a form provided by the city.
(4) The site owner is required to sign the zoning approval application in order to ensure that the site owner consents to the placement of the portable storage unit on the site and acknowledges the zoning approval requirements of this section.
(5) No permit or fee is required for the first 14 days.
(6) The exterior of the portable storage unit shall have a weatherproof clear pouch which must display the zoning approval letter at all times.
(7) A portable storage unit shall have no signage other than the name, address and telephone number of the person or firm engaged in the business of renting or otherwise placing the portable storage unit. The sign must be permanently adhered to, or painted on, the portable storage unit.
(8) Portable storage unit zoning approvals will not be granted to any portable storage unit company or site property owner or occupant, which is found to be in violation of the regulations of this section until such violation is brought into compliance.
(9) The Planning and Economic Development Department is delegated with the authority to monitor progress and extend the amount of days a portable storage unit is on site.
(D) Duration.
(1) A portable storage unit may remain at a site for up to 14 days without a zoning approval.
(2) Zoning approval is required for the placement of a portable storage unit remaining at a site longer than 14 days, up to a maximum time period of 30 days unless otherwise approved by the Planning and Economic Development Department. The portable storage company shall affix a placard, visible to public view, on each storage unit specifying the date on which the unit was delivered to the site. All portable storage units must maintain public safety access and comply with all health, safety and welfare concerns.
(3) The homeowner may apply for an extension beyond 30 days within the time period as provided in the permit. Such application shall include a scope of work and justification for an extension of days. The Planning and Economic Development Department shall monitor progress of the building permit through inspections and has the authority to grant additional 30 day increments or more, depending on the inspections and review of the residential property.
(4) The Planning and Economic Development Department may rescind zoning approval after conducting an inspection of the residential property.
(E) Maintaining portable storage units.
(1) The portable storage unit company shall be responsible to ensure that the portable storage unit is in good condition, free from evidence of deterioration, weathering, discoloration, rust, ripping, tearing or other holes or breaks.
(2) When not in use, the portable storage unit shall be kept locked.
(3) The owner/occupant of any site on which a portable storage unit is placed shall also be responsible for ensuring that no hazardous substances are stored or kept within the portable storage units.
(4) In the event of a hurricane warning, as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the portable storage unit company shall use their best efforts to contact customers and remove storage units in a timely manner prior to the storm.
(F) Violations.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any owner/ operator of a portable storage unit company to place or permit the placement of a portable storage unit on a site within the city without first obtaining an annual permit and a zoning approval from the city.
(2) A portable storage company that places or allows the placement of a portable storage unit on a site without first obtaining an annual permit as required by this section shall be provided a grace period of one business day from delivery of the portable storage unit to remove the portable storage unit or obtain an annual permit.
(3) A person who allows a portable storage unit to remain at a site for longer than 14 days without first obtaining a zoning approval as required by this section shall be provided a grace period of one day from the 14th day of the placement of the portable storage unit to remove the portable storage unit or to obtain zoning approval.
(4) Should the person or company in violation of the regulations of this section fail to obtain a permit or remove the portable storage unit at the termination of the grace period, the person or company shall be considered in violation of the Code.
(5) It shall be unlawful for a portable storage unit to remain at a site in excess of the time periods permitted under this section. Each day that any such portable storage unit remains at a site in violation of the provisions of this section shall constitute a violation against the portable storage company, and against the owner of the site.
(Ord. 2021-02, adopted 3-17-21; sought to be reconsidered, Commission passed 4-21-2021)