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Hendry County to study rules for shipping containers on rural residential lots after resident complaint
Summary
A sheriff’s deputy and property owner asked the board to reconsider how the county regulates shipping containers used for storage; planning staff pointed to a county code limiting temporary storage units to 14 days on residential property and commissioners directed staff to return with options and hold enforcement in the case at hand.
A Hendry County resident and sheriff’s deputy told commissioners on Feb. 11 that he received a code enforcement notice ordering removal of shipping containers used for storage, and asked the board to consider permitting containers as accessory storage in rural residential areas.
Rafael Morales, identified in the meeting as a Hendry County Sheriff’s deputy and property owner in Pioneer, said he purchased two containers for secure feed and storage and said neighbors were surprised by sudden enforcement after containers had been in place previously. Planning staff (Ryan) told the board that county code (section 158.94 in the transcript) defines temporary storage units (TSU) — shipping or sea containers used for temporary storage during delivery or construction — and limits them on residential properties to a maximum of 14 consecutive days unless an active building permit applies.
Commissioners discussed zoning distinctions and noted some containers were grandfathered where they predated the 2020 rule; staff said the county makes case‑by‑case determinations and requires engineered tie‑downs and permits where allowed. Commissioners asked staff to return with options that would allow limited use of containers in rural residential (RR) zoning with conditions such as color/paint requirements, anchoring, setback and limits tied to property size and accessory structure rules. The board agreed to pause enforcement of the resident’s case while staff studies the issue and prepares recommendations.
Why it matters: The discussion affects property owners in rural residential parts of Hendry County who use shipping containers for storage and raises questions about consistency of enforcement, grandfathering of pre‑existing containers, and whether the county should permit TSUs as accessory structures once a primary residence or building permit is established.
Next steps: Planning staff will return with draft guidelines for where and how shipping containers may be allowed on a limited basis, including potential limits by zoning, anchoring and appearance requirements. The board asked staff to consider Wheeler Estates and other zoned communities separately and to include setback and unit‑count limits tied to acreage.
