Colfax Municipal Code Ch. 17.176 Self-Service Storage Facilities

This chapter provides requirements and standards for the operation and design of self-service storage facilities as defined and permitted by Article III of this title.

(Ord. No. 519, 8-8-2012)

The following uses or activities are prohibited in self-service storage facilities:

A. Automotive repair which includes, but is not limited to, auto body and paint shop facilities.

B. Wood, metal or other working shops whether for business or as a hobby.

C. Office and other business uses, except the office for the facility and the storage of personal belongings.

D. Living quarters for human habitation or the keeping of animal life, except caretakers/managers quarters.

E. Storage of hazardous materials as listed in Title 8, California Code of Regulations, Section 5194 as amended, or its successor section or statute.

1. Rental agreements shall contain language prohibiting the storage of hazardous materials as outlined above.

2. The operator of the facility shall maintain a copy of said section and ensure compliance with these regulations.

F. Sewer, water or electrical services to any of the storage units except electrical services needed for lighting purposes.

(Ord. No. 519, 8-8-2012)

When adjacent to residential land uses hours of operations shall not allow opening before seven a.m. (Monday through Friday and eight a.m. (Saturday, Sunday and holidays), nor close any later than seven p.m. (Monday through Friday) and eight p.m. (Saturday, Sunday and holidays).

(Ord. No. 519, 8-8-2012)

In approving the design review permit for a self-service storage facility, the following criteria may be applied at the discretion of the approval authority to protect public health, safety and welfare and to ensure design compatibility, and are in addition to the general development standards set forth in Articles III and IV.

A. Architecture. The facility, including the caretakers/managers residence, the storage units and the office shall be designed using roof and building materials and colors compatible with adjacent developments.

B. Site Design. To minimize visual impact on the adjacent residences, self-service storage facilities shall be designed to:

1. Locate the project entry/exit as far as possible from the residential land use.

2. Locate the caretakers/managers residence and office as close as possible to the project entrance.

3. Setback the outdoor storage of materials a minimum of twenty (20) feet from the property lines adjacent to residential land uses.

4. Setback all self-service storage buildings over one story in height a minimum of thirty (30) feet from the property lines adjacent to residential land uses.

C. Security. In addition to the requirements of the building security ordinance, to ensure security when self-service storage facilities are adjacent to residential land uses the police department may require security measures, such as controlled access, alarms or video cameras.

D. Lighting. To minimize visual impacts to adjacent properties, self-service storage facilities shall provide the following:

1. No off-site glare through the use of cut-off lenses.

2. Wall-mounted lights shall be located on the building below the roofline of the storage facility and shall be directed downward.

3. Parking lot lighting, in conjunction with vehicle storage, shall not exceed sixteen (16) feet in height, and shall be setback a minimum of fifty (50) feet from the property line adjacent to the residential land use and directed toward the parking lot.

E. Screening. To protect the views from adjacent residential land uses, the self-service storage facility shall provide adequate screening which may include:

1. A minimum six-foot high masonry screen wall shall be provided along the property line adjacent to any residential land use. The height of the wall shall be measured from the highest grade (either on site or the adjacent site); and/or

2. Within the storage facility, a minimum ten-foot wide landscape planter with shrubs (minimum five gallon size) and evergreen trees (minimum fifteen-gallon size placed a minimum twenty (20) feet on center) shall be provided along the property line adjacent to any residential land use.

F. Caretakers/Managers Residence. A caretakers/managers residence will only be approved as part of the storage facility where the owner provides assurances to the city that on-site management will acknowledge in writing that the facility is located within a commercial or industrial zone and therefore subject to the levels of noise and night-time lights which are ordinary and expected in those zones.

(Ord. No. 519, 8-8-2012)