Morgan County commissioners ask staff to draft rules allowing limited use of Connex (shipping) boxes

Morgan County commissioners directed planning staff to draft a text amendment to allow Connex (shipping) storage containers on a limited basis, after a work‑session discussion about how the county should treat containers that residents already place on rural properties.

Commissioner Blaine said the county needs a clear ordinance so people who want a container can do so legally and so enforcement is not arbitrary. “I think we need them in the county,” he said, adding that containers should meet defined appearance and siting standards: “They gotta look nice, they can't be rusty…paint them.” Planning staff member Josh summarized examples the county reviewed from other jurisdictions and asked whether the commission wanted staff to draft a proposed code change.

The exchange covered several recurring questions: whether containers must sit on a hard surface, whether they can have electricity, and the line between a shipping container and a structure under the International Building Code. Josh and Chris, the county code‑compliance officer, explained that an engineered and permitted conversion would be treated as a structure under the International Building Code and could have electricity and other building systems; an unmodified container is currently treated as outdoor storage and not permitted in many zones.

Commissioners emphasized writing objective criteria into the ordinance so enforcement is not arbitrary. Options discussed included limiting containers to rural/agricultural zones, requiring setbacks from property lines and residences, requiring that containers be elevated (railroad ties or blocks) rather than permanently set on concrete, and limiting the number or size allowed per parcel. Several commissioners favored allowing smaller portable units (one commissioner referenced “a 20 by 10 that is portable”) and requiring facades or roof modifications in higher‑density areas.

Josh said he would draft a text amendment and bring options back for a future work session; he noted he has about 15 other text amendments pending but would prioritize this at the commission’s direction. No formal action was taken; the direction was to prepare draft ordinance language for future review.

Ending: Commissioners agreed they wanted standards rather than ad‑hoc enforcement and asked that staff return with a proposed text amendment that defines allowable zones, appearance criteria, setbacks, surface requirements and any temporary‑use rules.