The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the use of storage containers on properties within the City of Union Gap, which regulations are adopted to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and promote positive aesthetics in the city.

(Ord. No. 2983, § 1, 1-27-20)

The following words and terms are defined for the purpose of applying the provisions of this chapter:

"Accessory storage structure:"

1.

Shall mean a structure that is accessory to and incidental to that of the dwelling(s) and that is located on the same lot and constructed for storage of materials and equipment accessory to a primary use.

2.

For purposes of this chapter, 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 shall be referred to as cargo containers.

"Cargo containers" shall mean standardized reusable vessels that were:

1.

Originally designed for or used in the packing, shipping, movement or transportation of freight, articles, goods or commodities; and/or

2.

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.

(Ord. No. 2983, § 1, 1-27-20)

The placement of a cargo container as an accessory storage use is limited to the following zoning districts:

1.

Residential (R1, R2, R3, R4).

2.

Commercial (C-1).

3.

Regional Commercial (C-2).

4.

Central Business District (CBD).

5.

Light Industrial (L-I).

6.

Wholesale Warehouse (W/W).

(Ord. No. 2983, § 1, 1-27-20)

A.

A placement permit is required for any size cargo container prior to placement on any property within the City of Union Gap. The application shall show the proposed cargo container is accessory to the permitted use of the property and meets the placement criteria for the zone.

B.

Cargo containers shall meet the setback and lot coverage requirements of the underlying zone.

C.

Cargo containers shall be used for storage purposes only.

Exception: Cargo containers intended to be modified in any way and/or for permanent or semi-permanent uses such as pools, residence, recreation room, commercial buildings, play structures, adding windows, doors etc. or used to support loads other than itself require structural engineering and must conform to the requirements of the International Building Code as adopted in Chapter 14 of this code.

D.

Cargo Containers shall be placed on an improved surface such as gravel, asphalt or concrete and must be placed fully on said surface and any axles must be removed.

E.

Cargo containers shall not be stacked above the height of a single container device.

Exception: Cargo containers may be stacked no more than two containers high where containers are empty and placed on a lot in an approved zone for the sole purpose of product display for commercial sales and/or rentals of cargo type containers.

F.

Cargo containers shall not occupy required off-street parking, loading or landscaping areas.

G.

Cargo containers placed in residential zoning or where the primary use is residential, the cargo container shall be required to be placed in the rear of the property as defined in Section 17.02.020. Landscape screening or fencing may be required to reduce visibility. Placement of cargo containers in city right-of-way is not allowed.

H.

Materials stored within cargo containers are subject to review and approval by the fire district where cargo containers are placed in zoning other than residential. Cargo containers used in conjunction with a business regardless of zoning are also subject to review and approval by the fire district.

I.

To promote positive aesthetics in the City of Union Gap, cargo containers must be fully painted with a neutral toned color or color matched to an existing residence or business with no alpha-numeric writing visible. The intended color must be listed on the site plan.

J.

Licensed and bonded contractors may use cargo containers for the temporary location of an office, equipment, and/or materials storage structure during construction which is taking place on the property where the cargo container is located, if the cargo container is authorized pursuant to a city building permit. Cargo containers used for the aforementioned purposes do not require a placement permit.

(Ord. No. 2983, § 1, 1-27-20)

All owners of property within the City of Union Gap shall have one hundred eighty (180) days from the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter to bring the properties, which currently contain accessory storage buildings that are in violation of the terms of this chapter, into full compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2983, § 1, 1-27-20)

In the event any conflict exists between the provisions of this chapter and other currently existing provisions of this code or other ordinances of the city, the terms and provisions of this chapter shall take precedence and to the extent of any such conflict, the terms and conditions of any existing provisions of this code or other ordinances of the city shall be and hereby are amended insofar as necessary to conform to the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2983, § 1, 1-27-20)

Violations of this chapter shall be enforced pursuant to the procedures and penalties set forth in Chapter 17.27 as the same exists now or may hereafter be amended.

(Ord. No. 2983, § 1, 1-27-20)