Jefferson County planners consider tighter outdoor storage rules, eye enforcement changes

Planning staff told the Jefferson County Planning Commission May 6 that the county should consider tightening its outdoor storage standards and that staff would consult the unified development ordinance (UDO) language used by other counties to draft potential changes.

"I'd like to tighten up our our storage standards a little bit," said Josh, a county planning staff member. He asked the commission for feedback and said he intended to talk with Amy and review other counties' UDOs as models. Commissioners raised examples of problematic conditions including stacked boxes under tarps, intermodal containers, old buses used for storage and inoperable vehicles, especially in areas such as Brooksburg.

Commissioners and staff noted practical enforcement limits. Josh explained the county typically begins with outreach and letters, performs a title search (which he said can take about six weeks), issues a follow-up notice (about 20 to 30 days) and then refers unresolved cases to a commissioners' meeting and possibly to court. He warned that the overall process often takes months before a remedy is obtained.

The commission discussed exemptions for farm machinery used in active agricultural operations, and members said those exemptions make clear-cut enforcement difficult in mixed agricultural areas. Commissioners also suggested drafting a schedule of fines and fees so the county would have enforceable penalties available even if officials prefer to work with property owners before imposing sanctions.

No ordinance amendments or formal votes were taken. Staff will research model UDO language, review how other jurisdictions treat containers and trailers, and return with recommendations for potential code changes.