Cleveland County approves modified rules for private storage buildings on vacant rural lots

The Cleveland County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a modified planning-board recommendation that allows private storage buildings on vacant tracts in rural residential and rural-ag districts while placing limits intended to preserve residential character.

Planning Director Chris Martin presented three approaches: a staff draft tied to a three-acre lot minimum; the planning-board recommendation that limits building size by lot acreage (1,500 sq ft for 1 acre, 2,500 sq ft for 2 acres, 4,000 sq ft for 3 acres) with 100-foot road setbacks and a septic-evaluation requirement; and a hybrid option with smaller size caps and fewer setback constraints. Martin told the board that agricultural-style buildings serving bona fide farms would remain exempt from any new development standards.

At the public hearing, Dan Blatt of Patterson Springs urged the board to consider enforcement of existing nuisance issues before adding new restrictions, saying limits can penalize people starting out. Commissioners debated enforcement practicality, setback distances and whether a septic evaluation was necessary for buildings that may never host a house.

One commissioner moved to adopt the planning-board recommendation with the septic-evaluation requirement removed; another commissioner seconded the motion and the board approved the modification unanimously. The change allows storage buildings on vacant rural lots under the adopted size and setback standards and keeps agricultural exemptions in place.

Chris Martin said the rules are meant to maintain residential character and to reduce the risk that accessory buildings later become de facto commercial uses. The board discussed enforcement needs and said they would monitor outcomes.

The decision concludes the public-hearing action on planning case 23-08; Martin will implement the ordinance language consistent with the board’s direction.