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 Suffolk
 Unified Development Ordinance
 Article 7. SUPPLEMENTAL USE REGULATIONS

  § 31-719. SHIPPING CONTAINER DEPOT.  

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  • PURPOSE: The storage of shipping containers can be a workplace safety issue that should be considered when developing a container storage depot. Potential causes of accidents can come from falling shipping containers and inadequate spacing between container storage areas for forklift operations. Therefore, the purpose of this Section is to provide for adequate light, air, safety, protection of life and convenience of access associated with the storage of shipping containers.

    (a)

    PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. Shipping container depots shall meet the following minimum standards:

    (1)

    Shipping containers shall not be stacked, except as defined in Subsection (4).

    (2)

    No shipping container depot may be established without an approved site plan in accordance with Section 31-307 and without a container storage plan clearly delineating all areas to be used for the storage of shipping containers with such containers only being placed in the areas designated on the approved site plan.

    (3)

    A storage container storage plan shall provide for the following:

    (i)

    A minimum of a fifty-foot (50′) drive aisle shall be identified in order to allow for sufficient space between containers for forklifts and to maneuver safely.

    (ii)

    Containers shall be stored in groups no greater than two hundred (200) feet by eighty (80) feet.

    (iii)

    Placement of containers shall align along the longitudinal axis with the predominant wind direction (200 degrees—270 degrees).

    (iv)

    Containers shall be placed on a level, well-compacted surface of crush and run or similar material that is certified by a professional engineer to support the anticipated load. All entrance drives and off-street parking areas are to be paved with asphalt or concrete and shall be maintained free of potholes.

    (4)

    Shipping containers may be stacked up to two (2) containers high provided that no stacking of containers shall be located within three hundred (300) feet when adjacent to a conservation, agricultural, residential, commercial, central business, village center, planned development or light industrial zoning districts and meets all conditions prescribed in Subsection (3) of this Section. In addition, a stacking plan shall be included as part of a site plan addressing the method of securing the units to meet a windload standard of one hundred (100) mph.

    (5)

    Only shipping containers being used in the active transport of goods, wares or merchandise shall be placed or stored in a shipping container depot.

    (6)

    All shipping containers shall be placed or stored in a shipping container depot in an empty and ready-to-ship state.

    (7)

    Only minor repair of the shipping containers is permitted on the site to ensure that the shipping containers remain in a condition ready to ship. This may include cleaning, repairing, servicing, painting or fumigation of the container units.

    (8)

    All shipping containers, if stored outside, shall be kept within a fenced area. A fifty-foot vegetative landscape screen shall be provided around the perimeter of the site. Fencing shall be opaque and shall have a height of ten (10) feet. Required vegetative landscape screening shall be placed between the fence and the property line. Screening shall be consistent with Section 31-603.

    (9)

    Any shipping container placed on site shall not harbor any solid waste, hazardous materials, explosives, weapons, materials, when combined with another substance in the container may become hazardous, or unlawful substances of any kind. All containers shall remain empty.

    (10)

    The owner/operator shall maintain a log showing the date the shipping container was brought on the site and the date removed. No shipping container shall be stored on the site longer than thirty-six (36) months. Authorized City agents may inspect the site, the shipping container(s) and the log as deemed appropriate by the City.

    (11)

    No signage shall be placed on the shipping container units.

    (12)

    Any visible graffiti on shipping containers that can be seen from adjacent properties or the public right-of-ways shall be removed immediately.

    (13)

    All truck chassis must remain in an operable condition and be road worthy with all required vehicle licenses and current tags.

    (14)

    All performance standards, as identified in Section 31-608 of the Unified Development Ordinance, shall be met.

    (15)

    The property or site must remain locked after hours or when the property is unmanned.

    (16)

    Nothing in the Section prohibits the storage of shipping containers as an accessory use to an import or distribution center provided that such containers shall be stored on a truck chassis.