The regulation of temporary and permanent storage units/shipping containers shall be controlled and shall confirm to the regulations prescribed in this section, and shall meet the specific regulations prescribed in this section, and shall meet the specifications as required in each zoning district.
A. Storage/shipping container means a unit originally or specifically designed or used to store goods or merchandise during shipping or hauling by container ships, rail, or other types of transportation.
B. For the purpose of this section, cargo containers, railroad cars, truck vans, converted mobile homes, trailers, recreational vehicles, bus bodies, vehicles and similar prefabricated items and structures originally built for purposes other than the storage of goods and materials, are not accessory storage buildings.
C. At no time shall any temporary or permanent storage/shipping containers be placed in any districts of the Village of Stronghurst, Illinois until a permit has been approved by the Zoning Committee.
D. Temporary use: storage/shipping containers shall be allowed as a temporary use within the Village of Stronghurst in the following instances:
1. A building permit is required for any storage/shipping containers being set or put in place at any location in the Village of Stronghurst.
2. Only one storage/shipping container is allowed on any property.
3. Only storage/shipping containers twenty (20) foot and less in length are allowed.
4. A limit of one permit per calendar year shall be granted for a maximum of thirty (30) days, with one thirty (30) day extension possible at the discretion of the Zoning Committee.
5. Placement of the temporary storage/shipping containers must be approved by the zoning committee.
6. For short-term storage of goods of business enterprises located within a district zoned for business, light industrial, or heavy industrial (for example: holiday season for storage).
7. No stacking of material on top of the storage/shipping container is allowed.
8. All temporary storage/shipping containers must meet the established setbacks for any districts in the Village of Stronghurst.
9. At a construction site for the duration of the project, with the containers to be removed within thirty (30) days of the completion of the project.
10. Storage/shipping containers shall be allowed as a temporary use within the village in a residential zone for a period not to exceed ten (10) days, such units shall only be for the use of persons utilizing the units as PODS (Portable on Demand Storage) for moving and/or temporary storage. A temporary building permit will be required for the storage/shipping container to be used for a time period not to exceed ten (10) days, when using as a moving or temporary storage container.
E. Permanent use: storage/shipping containers shall be allowed as a permanent use within the Village of Stronghurst only under the following instances:
1. Containers shall be allowed as an accessory use only and subject to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located.
2. A building permit is required for any storage/shipping containers being set or put in place at any location in the Village of Stronghurst.
3. Only one storage/shipping container is allowed on any property.
4. Placement of the permanent storage/shipping containers must be approved by the Zoning Committee.
5. At no time shall any permanent storage/shipping container be allowed to be placed anywhere other than in the rear yard.
6. Only storage/shipping containers twenty (20) foot and less in length are allowed.
7. All signage on the container shall be removed and the container shall be painted an earth tone color or a color of siding material compatible with the surrounding environment or adjacent structures. The painting or siding shall be completed within thirty (30) days of the placement of the container. This provision shall apply retroactively; therefore, all permanent use storage/shipping containers, whenever placed, including before the adoption of this chapter, shall be required to comply with this provision regarding signage and painting.
8. No stacking of material on top of the storage/shipping container is allowed. This provision shall apply retroactively; therefore, all permanent use storage/shipping containers, whenever placed, including before the adoption of this chapter, shall be required to comply with this provision regarding stacking of materials on such storage/shipping containers.
9. The container shall be safe, structurally sound, and be placed on a stable surface.
10. Any container that becomes unsafe, unstable, or dangerous, as determined by the Zoning Committee, shall be removed or repaired immediately by the property owner.
11. All permanent use containers shall be anchored or otherwise secured to some stable surface.
12. Containers shall not be stored in a manner that impedes access to public right-of-way, public utilities, drainage easements, adjacent structures or buildings.
13. No containers may be utilized as rental units or be leased to anyone other than the property owner or business where container is placed.
14. Containers shall not be connected to utility services, with the exception of electricity, nor shall any other utility service be utilized within the container.
15. All storage/shipping containers are subject to inspection of contents to ensure adherence to the ordinance as set forth. (Ord. 07December2020, 12-7-2020)