14 - Restrictions on Storage ContainersItem No. 14
memorandum
TO: Mayor & Council
FROM: John Godwin, City Manager
SUBJECT: STORAGE CONTAINERS
DATE: August 1, 2019
BACKGROUND: As part of an overall effort to improve the look of the city, we have examined
the need to restrict portable storage containers, which by their very nature are intended to be
temporary. In commercial areas, such structures are common and necessary, though we should
consider how and where they may be placed, and for how long. In residential areas, these
temporary structures often become permanent. They can make a neighborhood look junky,
affect view corridors, hamper the flow of drainage, become harborages for vermin and insects,
carry significant wind loads, etc. The current Section 13 in our zoning code does not adequately
address any of these issues.
STATUS OF ISSUE: By limiting the number of such structures on a piece of property, defining
its placement in relation to property lines and other structures, and limiting units' overall sizes,
we believe over time we can significantly help improve the look and feel of certain areas. In
non-residential areas we propose standards for seasonal storage, addressing safety concerns, and
requiring permanent structures to be moved away from the front of properties. This would still
allow these units to be used, but in a more responsible manner and consistent with other
restrictions in place for accessory buildings. In the attachment, existing code is in black text and
proposes changes are in blue.
BUDGET: NA.
RECOMMENDATION: Discussion only.
Section 13. Accessory Building Regulations
13-100 DEFINITION AND USE REGULATION
a. In a residence or an apartment district, an accessory building is a subordinate building, attached to
or detached from the main building, without separate bath or kitchen facilities, not used for
commercial purposes and not rented or leased.
b. In other districts, an accessory building is a subordinate building, the use of which is incidental to
and used only in conjunction with the main building.
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13-101 AREA REGULATIONS FOR ACCESSORY BUILDINGS IN RESIDENTIAL ,Ai I 444)3/11IRT VJIMIT411"14161,
a. Front Yard. Attached accessory buildings shall have a front yard not less than the main building.
Detached accessory buildings shall be located in the area defined as the rear yard.
b. Side Yard. There shall be a side yard not less than three (3) feet from any side lot line, alley line or
easement line, except that adjacent to a side street the side yard shall never be less than fifteen (15)
feet.
c. Rear Yard. There shall be a rear yard not less than three (3) feet from any lot line, alley line or
easement line, except that if no alley exists, the rear yard shall not be less than ten (10) feet as
measured from the rear lot line. In residential districts the main building and all accessory buildings
shall not cover more than fifty (50) percent of that portion of the lot lying to the rear of a line
erected joining the midpoint of one side lot line with the midpoint of the opposite side lot line.
Carports, garages, or other detached accessory buildings located within the rear portion of the lot as
heretofore described shall not be located closer than fifteen (15) feet to the main building nor
nearer than three (3) feet to any side lot line. (See appendix illustration 3)
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13-102 REGULATIONS FOR ACCESSORY RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this subsection is to allow accessory residential dwelling units (accessory
buildings) to be developed within an individual site on properties located within City of Paris single-
family zoning district, Agricultural, and Planned Development Districts, to be inhabited only by those
persons related by blood or marriage to the current residents who reside in the primary single-
family residential dwelling unit on the subject site.
(b) Definition of an Accesso Residential _Dwelli_nUnit. An accessory dwelling is defined as either a
free-standing single-family home or a garage apartment/loft located on an individual residential lot
in a City of Paris zoning district and which is separate from the primary residence on said lot.
(c) Accessory Residential Dwelling Unitlaccessory ddwellin .Bg ulations.
1. Location: Accessory dwellings shall only be located within the following zoning districts:
Agricultural District (A), One -Family Dwelling Districts (SF -1, SF -2, and SF -3), and the Planned
Development District (PD) within the City of Paris, Texas Zoning Ordinance.
2. An accessory dwelling may not be located on a lot of less than fifteen thousand (15,000) square
feet in area.
3. An accessory dwelling shall be located a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from the primary dwelling.
4. Approval: Accessory dwellings shall be a permitted use in the above districts, subject to the
verification and approval of city staff that a proposed accessory dwelling meets the
requirements of the regulations set forth herein.
5. Front, rear, and side yard setbacks, as well as maximum lot coverage, shall be maintained as
required for any zoning district wherein said accessory dwelling is permitted.
6. A site plan drawn to scale shall be submitted to city staff as part of said permitting process and
shall include:
a. Exterior dimensions of said accessory dwelling.
b. Interior dimensions of all living areas within said accessory dwelling.
c. Other relevant physical requirements of this ordinance that can be graphically portrayed.
d. Pedestrian access of said accessory dwelling to the primary residential structure shall be
illustrated on the required site plan.
7. Only one (1) accessory dwelling shall be permitted on any individual zoning lot within any
district whereon an accessory dwelling is permitted.
8. An accessory dwelling must be located on the same lot as the main primary use and must not be
across a street or alley from the main use.
9. An existing primary residential structure must be constructed, or in the process of being
constructed, prior to the allowance of development of an accessory dwelling upon said lot.
a. In the circumstance whereby an applicant wishes to construct both a primary use and an
accessory dwelling upon a vacant lot, construction of the primary structure shall be begun
prior to or concurrent with said accessory dwelling, before approval for construction of an
accessory dwelling is granted.
b. No accessory dwelling shall be used/inhabited unless the main/primary residential building
on the lot is occupied by its residents.
10. One (1) standard, paved, off-street parking space shall be available for each accessory dwelling.
11. No more than one (1) covered parking space shall be allowed.
12. Lavatory and kitchen facilities and services shall be permitted in said accessory dwelling, subject
to building codes and city staff approval.
13. An accessory building shall have a minimum exterior area of five -hundred (500) square feet.
Maximum exterior area of said accessory dwelling structure shall not exceed thirty-five (35)
percent of the size of the primary dwelling, up to a maximum of nine -hundred (900) square feet.
14. Person(s) residing in said accessory dwelling shall be related to the residents in the primary
single-family residential structure existing on the subject lot either by blood or marriage.
15. Occupancy of said accessory dwelling shall meet the requirements of the International
Residential Building [Code].
16. All accessory dwelling structures shall have smoke detection equipment installed. Such
equipment shall be approved by the City of Paris Fire Marshal.
17. Maximum heiht of accessorydwe�llin _s: The height of all accessory dwellings shall be governed
by Section 11: Height Regulations currently existing in the City of Paris Zoning Ordinance.
18. All accessory dwellings shall be located totally behind the rear building line of the
primary/principal single-family residential home.
19. Air conditioning compressors, cooling towers, and similar accessory structures shall observe all
front, side, and rear yard setbacks as specified in each zoning district wherein accessory
dwellings are permitted.
20. No accessory dwelling structure or any part thereof shall be used for commercial, industrial, or
any other non-residential purposes or use.
21. For aesthetic compatibility purposes, an accessory dwelling shall be constructed of the same
exterior materials as the principal/primary residential structure, presuming said materials meet
the City of Paris Building Code or other relevant and related codes and ordinances.
22. All plumbing systems necessary for accessory dwellings shall be extended from the main
structure, with no separate taps or meters allowed.
23. An accessory dwelling shall not have an electric meter that is separate from the primary
structure.
(d) There shall be no variances allowed under this section, and the board of adjustment has no
authority to grant any variances to the regulations contained herein.
Section 14. Special Area and Use Regulations
14-101 Courts - Where an apartment building or buildings are erected so as to create inner courts, the
faces of all opposite walls in such courts shall be a minimum distance of thirty (30) feet apart and no
balcony or canopy shall extend into such court area for a distance greater than five (5) feet.
14-102 Location of Dwellings and Buildings - Only one main building for one -family and two-family use
with permitted accessory buildings may be located upon a lot or un -platted tract. Every one -family or
two-family dwelling shall face or front upon a public street, other than an alley. Where a lot is used for
multiple -family dwelling, retail, commercial, industrial purposes, or a combination of same, more than
one (1) main building may be located upon the lot, but only when such buildings conform to all the open
space, parking and density requirements applicable to the uses and districts and when all such main
buildings face upon a public street, other than an alley. Whenever two (2) or more main buildings, or
portions thereof, are placed upon a single lot or tract and such buildings will not face upon a public
street, the same may be permitted when the site plan for such development is approved by the Planning
and Zoning Commission. No parking area, storage area, or required open space for one building shall be
computed as being the open space, yard or area requirements for any other dwelling or other use. This
paragraph shall not be used to limit or restrict development according to approved site plan in a
Planned Development District (PD) or in a Public Lands and Institutions District (PLI).
14-103 Special Development Signs - Special temporary development and promotions signs not
exceeding four hundred (400) square feet in area may be erected on private property upon approval of
the Building Inspector. The Building Inspector shall control the location and duration of such sign use to
assure that the occupancy and use of adjacent lots are not interfered with and that no safety hazard is
created. Such special development signs will be removed at the direction of the Building Inspector after
completion of the development of ninety (90) percent of the project advertised.
14-104 Temporary Construction Buildings - Temporary buildings and temporary building material
storage areas to be used for construction purposes may be permitted for a specified period of time in
accordance with a permit issued by the Building Inspector and subject to periodic renewal by the
Inspector for cause shown. Upon completion or abandonment of construction or expiration of permit,
such field offices and buildings shall be removed at the direction of the Building Inspector.
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