Marinette City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXXVIII
Storage Containers
§ 465-332 Purpose.
The purpose of this article is to regulate the use of storage containers in the City, which regulations are adopted to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and promote positive aesthetics in the City.
§ 465-333 Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A building originally constructed for use as an accessory building for the storage of materials and equipment accessory to a primary use located on the property.
For purposes of this article, 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.
Includes standardized reusable vessels that were:
Originally designed for or used in the packing, shipping, movement or transportation of freight, articles, goods or commodities; and/or
Originally designed for or capable of being mounted or moved by rail, truck or ship by means of being mounted on a chassis or similar transport device. This definition includes the terms "transport containers" and "portable site storage containers" having a similar appearance to and similar characteristics of cargo containers.
§ 465-334 Storage on residential use properties.
A.
Only accessory storage buildings as defined in § 465-333 shall be permitted as accessory storage containers on property in any residential zone of the City or on any property within the City the primary use of which is residential. Cargo containers, railroad cars, truck vans, converted mobile homes, travel 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 permitted to be used as accessory storage buildings on property zoned residential or on property the primary use of which is residential.
B.
Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Subsection A of this section, the temporary placement of transport containers and/or portable site storage containers on properties the primary use of which are residential, for the limited purpose of loading and unloading household contents, shall be permitted for a period of time not exceeding 30 days in any one calendar year.
C.
Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Subsection A of this section, licensed and bonded contractors may use cargo containers for a materials' storage structure during construction which is taking place on the property where the cargo container is located, if the use of the cargo container is authorized pursuant to a City building permit.
§ 465-335 Cargo containers permitted locations.
A.
The placement of a cargo container as an accessory storage use is limited to the following zoning districts.
B-1 Local Shopping District |
B-2 Neighborhood Business District |
B-3 Community Business District |
B-4 Highway Business District |
MU Mixed Use District |
M-1 Light Manufacturing District |
M-2 Heavy Manufacturing District |
I-1 Institutional and Public Service District |
B.
The placement of cargo containers is further limited to properties in the above-identified zones only if the property upon which the cargo container is proposed to be located is not primarily used for residential purposes.
§ 465-336 Cargo container standards.
A.
A permit is required prior to placement of a cargo container in B-1, B-2, B-3 and B-4 Districts. No permit shall be required for M-U, M-1, M-2 and I-1 Districts, but the placement shall meet all regulations. The application shall show the proposed cargo container is accessory to the permitted use of the property and meets the placement criteria for the district.
B.
Cargo containers shall meet the setback requirements of the underlying zone.
C.
Cargo containers shall not be stacked above the height of a single container device, except for placement within the light and heavy industrial zone, where they may be stacked a maximum of two high.
D.
Cargo containers shall not be used for any advertising purpose and shall be kept clean of all alphanumeric signage and writing.
E.
As a condition of placement, cargo containers shall be fenced or screened from abutting properties and/or rights-of-way pursuant to the provisions of the fencing regulations.
F.
Cargo containers shall be located in an approved designated area and on the same property as the principal use and be included in the calculation of overall lot coverage.
G.
Cargo containers shall not occupy front-yard setback areas, landscaping areas, or green space areas.
H.
Materials stored within cargo containers are subject to review and approval by the Fire Chief.
I.
Adding wiring, heating, plumbing, or working spaces into a storage container makes it a permanent building, and all codes and regulations of a permanent building would then apply.
J.
Cargo containers are not allowed in any zone or on any parcel of property as the primary structure.
§ 465-337 Current violations and time to comply.
All owners of property within the City shall have 90 days from the effective date of the ordinance codified in this article to bring properties which currently contain accessory storage buildings that are in violation of the terms of this article into full compliance with the provisions of this article.
§ 465-338 Conflicts.
In the event any conflict exists between the provisions of this article and other currently existing provisions of the City of Marinette Municipal Code or other ordinances of the City, the terms and provisions of this article shall take precedence, and to the extent of any such conflict, the terms and conditions of any existing provisions of the City of Marinette's Code or other ordinances of the City shall be and hereby are amended insofar as necessary to conform to the provisions of this article.