Bakersfield City Zoning Code
17.57 Metal
Storage Containers
*Prior ordinance history: Ord. 3012.
17.57.010 Purpose.
Placement of metal storage containers on lots within the city for use as permanent storage facilities constitutes a use of such structures other than that for which they were designed and intended. Such placement, except for emergency purposes or in conjunction with construction projects, may negatively impact the aesthetics of neighborhoods in which they are placed, or discourage investment in permanent improvements in such neighborhoods. Metal storage containers may, however, reasonably be utilized to provide alternative permanent storage facilities if their potentially blighting influences and other potential adverse impacts are mitigated. The regulations set forth in this chapter are intended to accomplish such mitigation. (Ord. 3869 § 2, 1998)
17.57.020 Permitted.
A. Subject to approval of a plot plan and issuance of building permits, and subject to the regulations set forth in this chapter, metal storage containers, as accessory uses, are permitted in only the zones listed below as follows:
Parcel or Site Area | Maximum Number of Containers | |
|---|---|---|
C-1, C-2, P.C.D. | less than 1/2 acre | 1 |
1/2 acre or more | 2 | |
M-1, M-2, M-3 | less than 1/2 acre | 1 |
1/2 acre or more but less than 1 acre | 2 | |
1 acre or more but less than 2 acres | 3 | |
2 acres or more | 4 |
B. Additional containers may be allowed by the planning director in the zone districts listed in subsection A for temporary storage from October 1st to January 1st, each calendar year. The number of additional containers shall be based on a ratio of one container for every twenty thousand square feet of gross floor area of a business or center, not to exceed a maximum of six additional containers on a site. A plot plan of the site or center shall be approved annually for each request of additional containers. These containers shall be subject to all regulations of this chapter, except that no building permit is required. They are also not required to be on a permanent foundation; however, they shall be placed on a paved surface. (Ord. 3869 § 2, 1998)
17.57.030 Permitted only by conditional use permit.
A. Subject to the limitation that the ratio of square footage of metal storage container(s) to the area of any lot or parcel not exceed one to fifty, metal storage containers, as accessory uses, may be permitted in any other zone district not listed in Section 17.57.020 by conditional use permit.
B. Subject to the limitation that the ratio of square footage of metal storage container(s) to the area of any lot or parcel not exceed one to fifty, additional square footage of metal storage containers above that permitted by Section 17.57.020 may be permitted by conditional use permit. (Ord. 3869 § 2, 1998)
17.57.040 Emergency use.
Metal storage containers may be permitted on any surface in any zone for a period not to exceed ninety days for emergency storage, subject to approval by the building director. The building director’s decision may be appealed to the planning commission. For purposes of this section, emergency storage is storage necessitated by damage to or destruction of another structure on the same parcel or a contiguous parcel by fire, flood, earthquake, accident or similar occurrence. (Ord. 3869 § 2, 1998)
17.57.050 Use in conjunction with construction projects.
Metal storage containers may be permitted on any surface in any zone for use as storage facilities in conjunction with construction projects, subject to approval by the building director. Any such container shall be removed immediately upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the constructed project or upon expiration of the building permit issued for such project. In no event shall such use exceed twenty-four months in duration. (Ord. 3869 § 2, 1998)
17.57.060 General regulations.
A. Setbacks and Yard Area Restrictions.
1. On property zoned C-1, C-2 and P.C.D., metal storage containers shall be prohibited within any front yard or street side yard.
2. On property zoned M-1, M-2 or M-3, metal storage containers otherwise permitted and in conformance with the requirements of this chapter may be located in a front yard or street side yard; however, they shall be set back a minimum of thirty feet from any property line abutting any public or private street.
3. All other setbacks of the zone district in which the metal storage containers are located shall apply, except that no rear yard setback shall be required if adjacent to a nonresidential zone.
B. Each metal storage container shall be painted a neutral, earth-tone, site-compatible color.
C. Each metal storage container shall be placed on either a minimum four inch thick concrete slab, or a minimum three inch thick asphalt concrete over two inch thick aggregate base, as required by the building director.
D. Under no circumstances shall any metal storage container be used for an office, residence or other purpose involving human occupancy.
E. Signs shall not be permitted on any metal storage container, except those required that contain public safety information for the container.
F. A shopping center or other coordinated development as defined in Section 17.04.546 shall be considered a single parcel or site.
G. Metal storage containers shall not exceed a height of eight feet.
H. A metal storage container shall not exceed an area of three hundred twenty square feet.
I. Metal storage containers shall not be stacked.
J. Use of truck trailers, shipping boxes, railroad cars, and similar materials are prohibited.
K. Metal storage containers shall not be permitted in required parking areas, drive aisles, landscape areas, or emergency access ways.
L. Metal storage containers shall be screened so that they are not visible from public streets.
M. This chapter does not apply to a business that sells, leases, or stores metal storage containers as legally permitted and conforming to the regulations of the zone district in which the business is located. (Ord. 3869 § 2, 1998)
17.57.070 Amortization period for and removal of nonconforming uses.
Any metal storage container which is a legal nonconforming use on January 1, 1999, which is located on an approved foundation and for which a building permit has been issued, shall be removed or brought into conformance with the provisions of this chapter within two years. (Ord. 3869 § 2, 1998)