ORDINANCE OF THE MONTH
CHAPTER 3
ARTICLE 3.600Β UNATTACHED BUILDINGS
Sec. 3.601 - Accessory Building/Accessory Structures
(a) Definitions.
Accessory Buildings. An accessory building, detached from the main building, which may be used
as a private garage, but may not be used for commercial purposes that involve excessive vehicular
traffic, may not be rented, and may not contain living quarters. Examples of use would be: storage, a
private laundry or utility building, cabana, greenhouse, tool house or workshop. These uses are not
inclusive.
(1) A garage that is connected by a breezeway to the main building, and is an integral part of the
main building, shall not be considered an accessory building, provided that such breezeway
is fifteen (15) feet or less in length. In this configuration, the garage shall be considered as
an integral part of the main building and subject to main building regulations.
(2) Childrenβs playhouses are not considered accessory buildings.
Accessory Structure. Consists of a roof and less than 50% of the perimeter enclosed. Examples of
use would be pavilions, gazebos, and detached screen porches.
Portable Storage Containers. Portable storage containers, including overseas shipping containers,
cargo or freight containers, PODS βPortable On Demand Storageβ, and PSUβs βPortable Storage
Unitsβ.
Sec. 3.602 Specifications
Accessory buildings/accessory structures shall be constructed from pre-engineered metal, wood
or comparable weather bearing material or brick.
Portable storage containers:
(1) Shall be constructed from pre-engineered metal, which shall be free from rust, peeling
paint and other forms of deterioration.
(2) Shall not be placed in required landscaped areas, retention basins, drive aisles, fire lanes,
loading zones, required parking spaces, or other locations that may cause hazardous
conditions, constitute a threat to public safety, or create a condition detrimental to
surrounding land uses and development.
(3) Shall be secured from entry by children and general public when not attended.
(4) Shall not have hazardous material stored within the containers.
Sec. 3.603 Height
An accessory building/accessory structure or portable storage container shall be limited to the
height of the main building or twenty-five feet (25′), whichever is less.
Sec. 3.604 Size
(a) In a residential area, accessory buildings, accessory structures and portable storage
containers shall be limited two (2) in number and square footage as follows:
(1) 300 sq. ft. — for a lot size of .25 acres
(2) 480 sq. ft. — for a lot size of .25 acre to .5 acre
(3) 600 sq. ft. — for a lot size of. 6 acre to 1.0 acre
(4) 800 sq. ft. — for a lot size of 1.0 acre to 2.0 acres
(5) 1000 sq. ft. — for a lot size of 2.1 acres and above
(b) A total ground level square footage of all structures on a residential lot shall not exceed
1,000 sq. feet.
Sec. 3.605 Placement
An accessory building, accessory structure or portable storage container shall be placed to the
rear of the front plane of the house. Placement: refer to Article 3.400, Section 3.406. Due to
multiple facade existing in corner lots, placement is recommended to be unobtrusive to view
from all visual neighbors.
Sec. 3.607 Permits
(a) A permit for an accessory building is required. A permit shall not be issued for an
accessory building unless a primary residence exists on the property or is under a current
building permit for its construction.
(b) A portable storage container permit must be applied for by the owner of the property.
The application shall require an exhibit showing the proposed location for the structure
on a plot plan. The permit application and associated fees shall be submitted to City Staff
at the time of application.
(1) Portable storage containers shall not be permitted on lots without a main structure.
(2) All existing portable storage containers within the city limits of Oak Leaf will be
subject to the requirements of this ordinance as of its effective date.
Sec. 3.608 Exceptions
(a) In the event of a building remodel project or a natural/man-made disaster, an exception
shall be granted as to the total number of unattached buildings and allowable square
footage in relation to portable storage containers on a property for temporary use.
(b) A time limit of sixty (60) days shall be observed with regards to a temporary portable
storage container. An extension of the set time period shall require written notification of
intent by the property owner.
Sec. 3.609 Enforcement; Penalty
A. Any person, firm or corporation who violates a provision of this ordinance is guilty of a
misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine per violation as provided in
Chapter 1, Article 1.100, Section 1.106 of this code. Each day that one or more of the
provisions in this article is violated shall constitute a separate offense.
B. The city, acting by and through its duly authorized officers, agents or representatives, may
issue a citation to a person he/she reasonably believes to be in violation of this article. The
citation shall be prepared in duplicate and shall contain the name and address of the alleged
violator and the offense charged. The alleged violator shall be served a copy of the citation
directing him/her to appear in the city municipal court on an assigned date
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