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Greenville council adopts ordinance restricting shipping containers and nonstandard fence materials
Summary
The City Council on Sept. 3 adopted Ordinance No. 24-13, amending Chapter 46 to ban shipping containers in residential districts, limit portable storage units, and prohibit fences built from scrap or container materials; the measure passed 7-0.
Greenville's City Council voted unanimously Sept. 3 to adopt Ordinance No. 24-13, an amendment to Chapter 46 of the city code that restricts the use of shipping containers and limits certain fence materials.
The ordinance, approved 7-0, amends Section 46-82 to prohibit fences made from scrap materials, shipping containers, pallets and similar detritus and narrows allowable fence materials to "conventional fencing materials," while allowing the zoning administrator to permit creative or artistic exceptions. The council approved the Planning Commission recommendation after a motion by Councilperson Lehman and a second from Councilperson Johnson.
The new Section 46-106 sets rules for portable storage units and shipping containers: portable units are permitted in commercial and industrial zoning districts but shipping containers are explicitly "not be permitted in a residential district." Residential properties may have no more than one portable storage unit for up to 30 consecutive days per calendar year unless the unit is needed for active remodeling and the zoning administrator is provided evidence of diligent construction. Units and containers are limited to a maximum of nine feet in height, eight feet in width and 16 feet in length. The ordinance also states that a storage unit or shipping container "shall not be used for human occupancy" and prohibits storage of toxic or hazardous materials, trash, or demolition debris; signage is limited to provider contact information only.
Residents who spoke during the public hearing raised questions about potential uses for containers. Brent Haight asked whether containers could be used as a garage if painted; Mikey Haight asked if an RV could be placed on a property; and Jeff Hines asked whether a container could be converted to a home. Denise Debri urged regulation rather than outright allowance or prohibition. Council members discussed the ordinance text as presented by the Planning Commission before adopting it.
Under the ordinance, publication is required within 10 days of adoption and the ordinance becomes effective 15 days after adoption provided it is published. The transcript did not specify any appeal or enforcement timeline beyond the provisions in the ordinance.
