Coos Bay imposes moratorium on new self‑storage construction to protect scarce commercial and industrial land

The Coos Bay City Council voted to adopt Resolution 25‑29, imposing an immediate moratorium on the construction of new self‑storage facilities. City staff presented data showing the community already has more than double the typical market supply of rentable storage space given its population and said a moratorium would allow time to amend development code to protect scarce commercial and industrial land for housing and job‑generating uses.

Planning staff told the council that self‑storage is conditionally permitted in most commercial and industrial zones (except mixed‑use and residential zones) and that the city identified 13 existing storage facilities. Using a rule‑of‑thumb saturation metric of approximately 7 square feet of rentable storage per capita, staff estimated Coos Bay’s need at roughly 112,000 square feet; an average facility provides about 46,000 square feet, so the existing inventory already exceeds expected demand.

Council was advised that a moratorium would take effect immediately if adopted and give the city up to a year to prepare code amendments, associated findings, and the required mailed notices under Measure 56 for property owners. The amendments could either restrict storage in certain zones or set new standards to guide where and how storage facilities are allowed. Councilors noted past use of moratoria for single business types — the cannabis business moratorium was cited as precedent — and supported using the pause to draft durable code changes.

Mayor (unnamed) and council members moved and seconded adoption of Resolution 25‑29; the motion passed with no recorded opposition. Staff said there is no special statutory notification required to enact a moratorium but that typical next steps include public hearings before the Planning Commission and mailed notices when the city proposes code amendments.