18.80.100 Outdoor storage.
Open storage of goods, materials, machines, equipment, and vehicles or parts outside of a building for more than 72 hours must conform to the standards of this section. The regulations of this section do not apply to temporary storage of construction materials reasonably required for construction work on the premises pursuant to a valid building permit and to agricultural/farming equipment used for agriculture or farming on the property.
A. Permitted Locations. Table 18.80.100 states where outdoor storage is permitted.
Base Districts | Permissibility of Open Storage |
Rural | Permitted if associated with a permitted agricultural use, located outside of all required setbacks, and screened subject to the standards of this section from adjacent residential properties and public rights-of-way. |
Residential, Neighborhood Commercial, and Mixed Use | All storage must be within an enclosed building except as specified for accessory outdoor display (garden centers, plant nurseries, lumber supply areas for home centers), subject to screening standards and to review and approval of a use permit. |
Industrial | Not permitted in front or street-facing side yards. Permitted in interior side and rear yards, or outside of required yards, subject to the standards of this section. All outdoor storage for industrial uses such as materials, racking, equipment, vehicles, or other similar items shall be screened from public view, public uses, and public open spaces. Such screening shall consist of a wall or fence with a minimum height of eight feet, or a height that will adequately screen the stored items as determined by the zoning administrator. Chain link fences with woven fabrics slats are not permitted. |
Public Facilities and Fleet Maintenance Yards | Not permitted in front or street-facing side yards. Permitted in interior side and rear yards, or outside of required yards, subject to the standards of this section. |
B. Screening and Setbacks. Storage areas visible from public streets that are not separated from the street by intervening building(s) shall be screened.
1. Screening Walls. Screening walls and fences shall be at least eight feet in height. If located on a lot line or in a required yard, they shall not exceed the maximum allowable fence heights in required yards.
2. Setback. A setback shall be provided for outdoor stored material at the ratio of 1:1 from all lot lines equal to total height of stored material above required screen wall. Minimum required yards visible from off site and not enclosed by an eight-foot screen wall are required to be landscaped. Outdoor storage areas shall provide the minimum required landscape buffer zones for sites abutting residential zoning districts, as established in Chapter 18.90 MCC.
Figure 18.80.100.B. Outdoor Stored Material
[Res. 22-12; Ord. 22-03 § 2; Res. 21-09; Ord. 21-05 § 2; Res. 14-36 § 401.10; Ord. 14-12 § 1.]