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Council shortens pod-permit window, drops residential fee in temporary-storage ordinance
Summary
Onalaska amended its temporary-storage (moving pod) ordinance to allow one residential unit per parcel for up to 30 days (down from 60) without a residential permit and adjusted the fee schedule; commercial temporary storage remains permitted with a fee.
The Onalaska Common Council voted to amend ordinance 18-45-2026 to reduce the allowable residential temporary storage (moving pod) period from 60 to 30 days and to remove the residential permit fee for those short-term moves. The change will leave commercial/industrial temporary storage subject to permit and fees.
Alder Steven Knott moved to amend section 3 to shorten the residential allowance to 30 days and to strike the residential permit requirement; an amendment was seconded by Alder Larry Jurasic. Councilors debated exceptions for moving-in/moving-out scenarios, military orders and whether to allow staff discretion to waive fees. City Attorney Amanda Jackson and Planning Director Katie Aspenson said the proposed change would reduce administrative burden on staff and recommended the fee be struck for residential use while maintaining a $500 fee for commercial units.
There was discussion about enforcement: one temporary storage unit per parcel will be allowed; staff will notify property owners if an extra unit appears and will enforce property-maintenance standards if units remain beyond the allowed period. Staff indicated fines would be handled under existing UDC violation processes and municipal court if contested.
The amendment passed on a voice vote and the ordinance as amended was approved by roll call. Council also approved an amendment to the fee schedule that removes the $50 residential TSU permit and retains a $500 commercial/industrial TSU fee.
What’s next: staff will update the municipal code and fee schedule to reflect the change, publish guidance for residents (including suggested exceptions such as moves supported by lease or sale documentation), and implement enforcement procedures.
