Coming Events

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) Children’s 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 portable on demand storage, and PSU’s portable storage units.

Sec. 3.602 Specifications

(a) Accessory buildings/accessory structures shall be constructed from pre-engineered metal, wood or comparable weather bearing material or brick.

(b) 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 acre.

(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) 1,000 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.

(Ordinance 1002 adopted 3/9/10)

Sec. 3.606 Doors

Garage doors, if used in the design of the building, shall face the side or rear property line. For lots less than one (1) acre where alleys are unavailable or in areas where placement creates a difficulty the property owner may apply for a variance. (Ordinance 0407 adopted 9/14/04)

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 will be subject to the requirements of this article as of its effective date.

Sec. 3.608 Exceptions

(a) In the event of a building remodel project or a natural/manmade 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 article 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.

(Ordinance 1002 adopted 3/9/10)