Gonzales Municipal Code Ch. 4.22 Storage Containers

For the purpose of this chapter the following terms shall apply:

"City rights-of-way"

shall mean streets and alleys owned by the city.

"Storage containers"

shall mean any container, storage unit, shed-like container, cargo boxes, "portable on-demand storage structures (e.g., "PODS")," or other portable structure that can be or is used for any purpose. The maximum height allowed is eight feet, six inches (8' 6"). Maximum length allowed is twenty feet (20'). Maximum width allowed is eight feet (8').

(Ord. 2020-119, 2-18-2020)

A. Before placing a storage container on any city rights-of-way a person must submit a request via the encroachment permit application to the public works director or designee, to include at a minimum the size of the container, proposed location within the right-of-way, length of time for placement, and reason for placement.

B. A storage container(s) shall not be placed in the city right-of-way for more than seven (7) days in any twelve (12) month period. A current city business license and an insurance certificate providing liability insurance as required by the encroachment permit and in the amount as required in the encroachment permit and provided by the company supplying the storage container must accompany the application for an encroachment permit. The public works director or designee shall approve the encroachment request if approval would be consistent with this chapter, and if approval would not be detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the city and its residents and visitors.

C. Storage container shall not extend beyond curb face more than eight feet six inches (8' 6"), or eight feet six inches (8' 6") from bottom of rolled curb.

D. A property owner must provide the public works director with a copy of the contract with a licensed storage container business that identifies where the box will be located and for how long.

(Ord. 2020-119, 2-18-2020)

A. Before placing a storage container on a residential property a person must submit a request via a letter to the community development director or designee, to include at a minimum the size of the container, proposed location, length of time for placement, and reason for placement.

B. In residential areas, one storage container shall be allowed for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days with no extensions. Approval for two (2) storage containers for simultaneous use on a residential property shall be limited to seven (7) days with no extensions. No residential property shall be granted more than two (2) storage container permits within any twelve (12) month period.

C. Storage containers on residential property shall be placed on hardscape only and not on soil or grass surface unless placement of the container on soil or grass is associated with an approved landscape project.

D. A current city business license provided by the company supplying the storage container must accompany the letter or form application. The community development director or designee shall approve the request if approval would be consistent with this chapter, and if approval would not be detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the city and its residents and visitors.

E. A property owner must provide the public works director with a copy of the contract with a licensed storage container business that identifies where the box will be located and for how long.

(Ord. 2020-119, 2-18-2020)

A. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the use or placement of storage containers pursuant to a valid building permit and business license.

B. Persons obtaining a building permit from the city must receive approval from the public works director or designee for the location and duration of the placement of the storage container prior to the issuance of said building permit. There shall be no fees associated with the approved placement of the storage container with a valid building permit if said container is placed on private property.

C. No storage container shall be allowed on a sidewalk, or infringe on vehicular movement on a roadway, whether approved with a valid building permit, or pursuant to other provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 2020-119, 2-18-2020)

The following storage containers are exempt from this chapter:

A. Storage Containers At The City Corporation Yard: Said container(s) shall be visually screened behind fencing, or walls, or vegetation, or combination thereof.

B. Storage Containers. Storage containers are allowed in any nonresidential property in the city but shall be stored in side or rear yards only and shall be visually screened behind fencing, or walls, or vegetation, or combination thereof. In the case a container(s) on nonresidential designated property is adjacent to residential property, the container(s) shall be set back at least five feet (5') from the side and rear property boundary. If no fence exists between the commercial and residential property, it shall be required that a screening fence shall be installed by the person(s) responsible for the container(s). Fencing shall be installed per section 12.112.040(J), Fences, Walls And Hedges.

(Ord. 2020-119, 2-18-2020)