Leeds holds first reading of ordinance to limit storage containers; language to be revised

The Leeds City Commission began consideration of Ordinance 11-14-24 on Dec. 16, a proposed amendment to Title 15 (land use) that would regulate the placement and appearance of storage and shipping containers.

Dennis (city staff) explained the ordinance would restrict storage containers in residential areas and set parameters for where and how containers may be placed. "They just don't fit in. They're not conforming to a residential structure," Dennis said, describing the intent to permit the containers only in non-residential settings or as residential-constructed units meeting building codes.

Commission discussion focused on apparent contradictions in setback language and whether commercial or industrial zones should allow permanent placement. Commissioners debated a 5-foot setback from property lines and a 10-foot separation from other structures, and asked staff to clarify terms such as "existing building." One commissioner noted parts of the ordinance mirrored language adopted elsewhere and asked staff to confirm zoning alignments.

The commission voted to amend the draft text to remove the phrase "Industrial Zone District" from a specific subsection to address internal inconsistencies and instructed staff to draft clearer language for the second reading. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that residential placement as a storage unit would be disallowed unless the container was brought to code as a residential structure and obtained building permits.

What’s next: Staff will refine ordinance language to resolve the contradictions discussed and present the revised ordinance for a second reading.