(A) Definitions. For purposes of this section the following words have the meanings specified below.
DUMPSTER. A unit that is intended to be used primarily for the disposal of waste material, that is owned by a contractor licensed for disposal services, and that has a capacity larger than 100 gallons.
FRONT YARD AREA. All that area between the front property line and a line drawn along the front face or faces of the principal structure on the property and extended to the side property lines. The front side of the property will be determined as specified in the zoning ordinance.
OUTSIDE. To be outside of an enclosed storage facility and visible from any other property.
PORTABLE STORAGE CONTAINER. A unit that is constructed to make it portable and capable of movement from one site to another, that can be or is used for the storage of personal property of any kind, that is located outside of an enclosed building, that is larger than 40 cubic feet, and that is not a permanent accessory building or shed complying with all building codes and zoning requirements.
TEMPORARY STRUCTURE. A structure or unit over 120 square feet in size, consisting of a frame that is covered at any time with a covering made of plastic, fabric, canvas, metal, fiberglass or similar material, that does not require a building permit, that is not intended for human occupancy, and that is intended or used to provide storage for vehicles, boats, recreational vehicles, or other personal property, whether fully or partially covered. TEMPORARY STRUCTURE includes structures commonly known as hoop houses, canopy-covered carports and tent garages, but does not include structures that are in place for less than five days, structures that have been constructed pursuant to a building permit issued by the city, and boat lifts and canopies that are placed in public waters.
VEHICLE OR VEHICLES. A motor vehicle or trailer as defined in M.S. § 169.01, including pioneer, classic collector and street rod vehicles, but excluding the following:
(a) Small trailers that are clearly designed to be used for general yard and garden purposes and not for travel on the roadways;
(b) Snowmobiles;
(c) All-terrain vehicles as defined in M.S. § 84.92, Subd. 8;
(d) One 40-foot camper or one ice house; and
(e) A combination of four or less trailers which may include but not limited to a trailer designed for road hauling, a snowmobile trailer, a trailer for four-wheelers, and a boat trailer.
(B) Declaration of nuisance. The outside parking and storage on residentially-zoned property of portable storage containers, dumpsters, large numbers of vehicles, and vehicles, materials, supplies or equipment not customarily used for residential purposes in violation of the requirements set forth below is declared to be a public nuisance because it:
(1) Obstructs views on streets and private property;
(2) Creates cluttered and otherwise unsightly areas;
(3) Prevents the full use of residential streets for residential parking;
(4) Introduces commercial advertising signs into areas where commercial advertising signs are otherwise prohibited;
(5) Decreases adjoining landowners and occupants' enjoyment of their property and neighborhood; and
(6) Otherwise adversely affects property values and neighborhood patterns.
(C) Unlawful parking and storage.
(1) A person must not place, store, or allow the placement or storage of ice fish houses, skateboard ramps, or other similar non-permanent structures outside continuously for longer than 24 hours in the front-yard area of residentially-zoned property unless more than 100 feet back from the front property line.
(2) No outside storage of personal property is allowed, except items to be used in conjunction with normal outdoor residential activities on the property, such as outdoor furniture and cooking equipment, recreational equipment, and construction and landscaping material and equipment that is used or intended to be used on the property in a period no longer than three months or in connection with a building permit on the property.
(3) A person must not cause, undertake, permit or allow the outside parking and storage of vehicles on residentially-zoned property unless it complies with the following requirements.
(a) No more than four vehicles per lawful dwelling unit may be parked or stored anywhere outside on R-l and R-2 zoned property, except as otherwise permitted or required by the city because of non-residential characteristics of the property. This maximum number does not include vehicles of occasional guests who do not reside on the property.
(b) Vehicles that are parked or stored outside in the front-yard area must be on a paved or graveled parking or driveway area.
(c) Vehicles, watercraft and other articles stored outside on residential property must be owned by a person who resides on that property. Students who are away at school for periods of time but still claim the property as their legal residence will be considered residents on the property.
(d) No recreational vehicle or vehicle for sale may be parked on the portion of private property and undeveloped public right-of way that is within ten feet of the paved portion of a public street, except on a driveway that is shorter than 40 feet long measured from the street pavement.
(4) A person must not cause, undertake, permit or allow the placement or existence of a dumpster outside on property that is improved as a single family or two family residence, unless it complies with the following requirements:
(a) A dumpster must be placed only on a paved or graveled parking or driveway area as far away from the public street as reasonably possible, or on another area approved by the community development director;
(b) A dumpster may not be on the paved portion of a public street;
(c) A dumpster must be used only in connection with:
1. Construction activity that has been properly permitted by the city, in which case it may remain no longer than 180 days in any 12-month period; or
2. The clean-up of property, in which case it may remain for no longer than 30 days in any 12-month period;
(d) There can be no more than one dumpster per parcel; and
(e) A dumpster must be maintained in a reasonably sound condition, with no holes and little rust or peeling paint.
(5) A person must not cause, undertake, permit or allow the placement or existence of a portable storage container outside on property that is improved as a single family or two-family residence unless it complies with the following requirements:
(a) A portable storage container must be placed only on a paved or graveled parking or driveway area as far away from the public street as reasonably possible, or on another area approved by the community development director;
(b) A portable storage container may not be on the paved portion of a public street;
(c) A parcel of land may have any portable storage container on it no longer than 30 consecutive days. A new period of 30 days may begin after 15 days have elapsed. There can be no more than three 30-day periods on one parcel in any 12-month period;
(d) A portable storage container may remain on the parcel longer than 30 days if it is being used in conjunction with remodeling or other construction on the site but only for no longer than 180 days in any 12-month period;
(e) The portable storage container must have attached to it a placard on a form to be provided by the city that includes the container identification number, the date of placement on the property, the date that removal is scheduled to occur, and the local telephone number of the owner of the container;
(f) The total size of all portable storage containers simultaneously on a parcel of land cannot exceed 2,000 cubic feet;
(g) A portable storage container must be maintained in a reasonably sound condition, with no holes and little rust or peeling paint; and
(h) A portable storage container may only be provided by a person or organization that is licensed by the city to conduct this kind of business.
(6) A person must not cause, undertake, permit or allow the placement or existence of a temporary structure outside on property that is improved as a single family or two-family residence unless it complies with the following requirements:
(a) The person must have in effect a current and valid permit obtained from the city after submitting an application on the city's approved form and paying the appropriate fee;
(b) The structure may be in place no longer than six months in any 12-month period, and when not in place, the component parts of the structure must be stored where they cannot be viewed from any other property;
(c) The structure must meet the setback requirements for an accessory structure and be located behind the front line of the principal structure as extended to the sides of the property. The applicant is responsible for establishing the location of the property lines;
(d) There can be no more than one temporary structure per parcel, the structure may not exceed 600 square feet, and the structure is in addition to the accessory structures and storage shed allowed by the zoning ordinance;
(e) The structure must be sufficiently anchored to withstand overturning, uplifting, or sliding from a 90-mile-an-hour wind; and
(f) The structure must be able to withstand a snow load of 40 pounds per square foot if the structure will be in place at any time during the months of November, December, January, February, March, or April.
(D) Exceptions. The prohibitions of this section do not apply to the following:
(1) A motor truck, pickup truck or similar vehicle being used by a public utility, moving company, or similar company, that is actually being used to service a residence not belonging to or occupied by the operator of the vehicle; and
(2) A vehicle that is actually making a pickup or delivery at the location where it is parked. Parking for any period of time beyond the period of time reasonably necessary to make the pickup or delivery and in excess of the two-hour limit is unlawful.
(E) Abatement. A police officer or other authorized person may order a vehicle constituting a public nuisance under divisions (C)(3) and (4) above to be immediately removed and impounded. The impounded vehicle will be surrendered to the owner by the towing contractor only upon payment of the required impound, towing and storage fees.
(Ord. passed 6- -2019)