Green River planning commission discusses allowing repurposed semi‑trailers for on‑site storage

The City of Green River Planning Commission discussed whether semi‑trailers repurposed for on‑site storage should be allowed under the city's accessory storage code, but made no immediate change and directed staff to prepare draft options for future hearings.

Commissioners and staff reviewed the code provision that currently excludes vehicles and transport bodies from the definition of accessory storage buildings. Planning staff read the code into the record: "For the purpose of this chapter, railroad cars, truck vans, converted mobile homes, trailers, recreational vehicles, bus bodies, vehicles, semi trailers, and similar prefabricated items and structures originally built for purposes other than the storage of goods and materials are not accessory storage buildings." (staff reading). The commission noted, however, that semi‑trailers already exist in town as ad‑hoc storage in some locations.

An applicant, identified in the meeting as Vicenia of Tacos La Tazadilla, told the commission her business wants to repurpose a semi‑trailer for storage. She said the trailer's wheels and undercarriage had been removed and that the unit would be a temporary solution "till we can afford enough to get the actual container." She asked for flexibility given local economic and practical considerations.

Commissioners discussed standards that could distinguish acceptable repurposed trailers from road‑ready vehicles, including requiring removal of axles and wheels, painting a neutral color, and meeting building‑department requirements for structures larger than 80 square feet. Planning staff noted that units larger than 80 square feet typically require a building permit and an engineered stamp for placement and that the building department would have to review structural and anchoring requirements if semi‑trailers are treated like prefabricated sheds.

The commission compared the city's existing shipping‑container rules (which cap cargo containers in some commercial zones at one per acre and require placement out of view from the street) with the accessory building code that currently excludes semi‑trailers. Members said they were generally open to permitting repurposed units in both residential and commercial areas if they are off axles, painted, and meet inspection and setback rules, but emphasized details must be spelled out in ordinance language.

No motion was made to change the code at the meeting because a formal ordinance change would require a public hearing. Commissioners asked staff to prepare draft options and possible standards (appearance, anchoring/foundation, engineering stamp, setback rules and zone differences) and to circulate those drafts in advance. The commission suggested holding a public hearing as soon as practical (staff estimated the earliest public hearing would be the next monthly cycle, followed by city council consideration).