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West Haven Council Adopts New Rules for Self‑Storage: 250‑foot setback, design and parking standards
Summary
The council approved Ordinance 03‑2026 updating Title 15 land‑use rules for self‑storage facilities: a 250‑foot setback standard, clarified definitions for open and indoor storage, design requirements for interior-access buildings and a new parking formula. The measure passed on roll call.
The West Haven City Council voted Feb. 4 to adopt Ordinance 03‑2026, updating local land‑use rules for self‑storage facilities to set new setbacks, design standards and parking requirements.
Mayor Rob Vanderwood introduced the ordinance, which community director Steven Nelson described as a response to feedback from the planning commission and earlier council meetings. Nelson said staff revised definitions for “open self storage,” added a new section specifically regulating self‑storage facilities, and proposed a 250‑foot setback for outdoor storage uses (down from the existing 800‑foot standard for some parcels). He also said the ordinance provides an alternative for interior, multi‑story storage buildings that would be exempt from the large setback if they meet design standards, including at least 20% glass on facades visible from the right of way.
“The idea is that we would allow for these buildings to be built and allow them with based on normal setbacks for the underlying zone if they met the standard,” Nelson said during his presentation. Staff also added a parking standard: three base spaces plus one additional space per 2,000 square feet for buildings that provide interior‑access storage, with retail and office parking calculated separately.
Nelson told the council staff reviewed examples, including interior‑access facilities in neighboring cities, and consulted code enforcement to tighten the definition and enforcement approach. He said the change reflects distinctions between outdoor, open storage and enclosed storage accessible only from within a building.
Council discussion focused on setback distance and design details. Multiple council members said the packet examples helped clarify the visual and spacing differences between a 250‑foot and larger setback; one council member said they were comfortable approving the 250‑foot standard after seeing photos and plan examples. The council found the ordinance consistent with the land‑use purpose and state law and approved the measure on a roll‑call vote.
The ordinance amends Title 15, Chapter 157 (including modifications to sections 157.004, 157.294, 157.331 and creation of 157.619), and repeals older storage‑unit restrictions. The updated code requires clear definition of open self storage, provides criteria for interior‑access buildings (two‑story minimum, interior access to units, glass on primary facades) and establishes parking calculations tied to building square footage.
The council did not identify any amendments that night beyond the clarified language Nelson presented. The ordinance takes effect according to the dates specified in the municipal code and will be enforced by city staff and code enforcement.
