(A) The outside storage of objects and materials shall be permitted as an accessory use (i.e.: where a primary use has already been established) in all residential zones that allow residential uses plus RS, PAD, PM, RCD and OS zones, provided the following conditions are met:
(1) A property owner or tenant may park or store any number of personally owned vehicles outside on residential property where a primary residential use has been established, provided that all vehicles are for personal use and are complete, operable and currently licensed and are arranged in an orderly fashion. Vehicles unable to meet these conditions will be deemed disabled or inoperable. Said disabled vehicles or vehicles determined to meet the definition of a junk vehicle are limited to two per parcel. These disabled, inoperable junk vehicles must be placed in the side or rear yard (but not within the required front yard setback) and screened in such a manner so as they are not visible from any public or private street right-of-way or adjacent property. Personally owned vehicles may be offered for sale on an individual person-to-person basis on a residentially zoned parcel where a primary residential use has already been established, provided that no more than two vehicles may be offered for sale at any one time. Unlimited areas of firewood may be stored, provided that the firewood is for on-site personal use only and is stacked no higher than six feet unless against a structure.
(2) Unlimited areas of construction materials may be temporarily stored, provided that the construction materials are for use on-site pursuant to a current, valid construction permit and are stacked no higher than six feet and are kept at least ten feet from all property lines of adjacent occupied residential properties.
(3) A property owner or tenant may park or store any number of personally owned (and for personal use) travel trailers, motor homes, recreational vehicles, boats, boat trailers, utility trailers, or other similar items designed for personal noncommercial uses outside on residential property where a primary residential use has been established. No more than one travel trailer, motor home or recreational vehicle, boat, trailer, etc. which is owned by a party other than the present owner or tenant of the property shall be stored. No travel trailers, motor homes or recreational vehicles on residentially zoned parcels or lots shall be used or made suitable for use for long-term occupancy without a temporary dwelling permit or use permit. Evidence of an intention for long-term occupancy shall include at least three of the following:
(a) Being hooked up to power.
(b) Being hooked up to water.
(c) Being hooked up to sewer or septic facilities.
(d) Being raised or leveled by means of jacks or blocks.
(f) Having any attached or adjacent structure or improvement that enhances the on-site livability and/or decreases the mobility of the vehicle.
(g) Removal of wheels or axles or hitches on a vehicle normally fitted with wheels and axles and/or hitches.
(4) Temporary use of a travel trailer, motor home or recreational vehicle as an occasional overflow guest room for non-paying or non-reimbursing relatives or guests is authorized as outlined provided such interim use does not exceed 90 days of continuous duration or a total of 90 days in a year or one 12-month period. Temporary use of recreational vehicles shall be only authorized upon satisfaction of the following performance criteria:
(a) Subject property is occupied by a permitted primary residential structure.
(b) The Yavapai County Environmental Unit shall be furnished with information to determine that the septic or sanitary facilities are adequate to accommodate additional effluent from the temporary recreational vehicle (RV) unit installation.
(c) Verification by the Zoning Administrator that the foregoing criteria have been addressed prior to authorizing occupancy of the unit.
(5) All boats, trailers, motor homes, travel trailers, recreational vehicles shall be kept in reasonable repair and operable and neatly arranged.
(6) No mobile home shall be placed or kept on a lot without a current valid zoning clearance or a current valid construction permit or temporary dwelling permit and without erection of permanent foundations and hook ups to facilities, permanent piers, blocks or foundations.
(7) Appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, ranges, stoves, furnaces, water heaters, air conditioners, etc.) may be stored outside, provided said appliances are in an operable condition and are hooked up for personal on-site use and are placed behind a screen wall or landscaping such that the appliances are not within the public view.
(8) Furniture may be stored outside, provided such furniture is in reasonable repair and weather resistant condition and is intended for personal on-site use and are placed behind a screen wall or landscaping such that the appliances are not within the public view.
(9) A property owner or tenant may park or store construction, mining, or farming equipment or machinery outside, provided such equipment or machinery is in operable condition and is intended for personal on-site use.
(10) No vehicular parts, components or accessories not independently operable, nor any large non-structural objects, which are in disuse, or for use other than on site shall be stored outside.
(11) Any outside storage unable to meet the above exceptions and conditions must meet one of the following restrictions:
(a) Methods of screening for outside storage may include acceptable wooden fencing, masonry walls, rock walls, landscaped berms or live vegetative screening. All outside storage shall be totally screened from view of any contiguous property or right-of-way or easement and located in the side or rear yard. All screening for outside storage shall be subject to the review and approval of the Zoning Administrator. Adjoining property owners will be notified by mail of the proposed location and method of screening when an alternative method of screening is presented to staff for their consideration.
(b) Outside storage, except outside storage of steel cargo containers governed by §
153.086(A)(13), shall not exceed the heights and square footages provided for the setbacks from the nearest property line as follows:
Distance to nearest property line | Maximum allowed square footage | Maximum allowed height in feet |
101 to 200 feet | | |
201 to 300 feet | | |
301 to 400 feet | | |
401 to 500 feet | | |
501 or more feet | | |
(12) Manufactured homes, mobile homes, travel trailers, recreational vehicles, truck trailers, commercial trailers, boxcars, or any other vehicle shall not be attached to or placed on any lot and are not allowed to be stored or utilized for storage purposes in any district, with the exception of the specific allowances referenced in division (A)(1) through (12) and §
153.035. These prohibited vehicles/containers may be considered for storage when there are unique circumstances subject to obtaining an approved use permit.
(13) The outside storage of steel storage containers is allowed as an accessory use, solely for the storage of personal items owned by the property owner, occupant or business (in appropriate commercially designated areas in the RMM and the use districts listed in §
153.086(A)), provided as follows:
(a) An approval letter from the Zoning Administrator is obtained prior to placement of the unit.
(b) Containers shall meet the minimum yard requirements of the primary structure in the applicable density district as well as building separation and lot coverage requirements.
(c) Any electrical service to comply with applicable adopted building codes and other town codes.
(B) The outside storage of objects and materials shall be a permitted accessory use in C1 and C2 (general commercial) zones provided that:
(1) All conditions of outside storage shall be met except that “on-site personal use” shall be construed to include those uses incidental to the permitted commercial (as well as personal) uses pertaining to the property.
(2) All conditions of outside storage shall apply except that one travel trailer, motor home or recreational vehicle may be hooked up to power, water, sewer or septic facilities or otherwise made suitable for long term occupancy for the purposes of a caretaker/watchman’s quarters only per parcel in a C1 or C2 zone without a use permit approval or PAD for a travel trailer/recreational vehicle park for watchman/caretaker purposes.
(3) No merchandise shall be displayed or stored outside in a C1or C2 zone except as provided for vehicles in the C1 Use District or by use permit (§
153.091). Merchandise displayed temporarily during business hours only under the roof of an attached porch or carport shall be considered inside display. Vending machines permanently installed against but outside of a structure shall not be considered outside display.
(C) The outside storage of objects and materials shall be a permitted accessory use in C3 (heavy commercial) zones as per divisions (B)(1) and (2). above except that square footage limits and setbacks shall be waived. Height limitations and screening requirements shall not be waived.
(D) The outside storage of objects and materials shall be a permitted accessory use in M1 and M2 (industrial) zones, provided that screening is provided from non-industrially zoned properties within 200 feet.
(E) Outside storage not complying with this division is hereby deemed a public nuisance and shall not enjoy any rights to continuation, restoration, exchange of uses, or expansion as if a lawful non-conforming use, and shall be abated.
(Ord. 08-44 § 564, passed 10-21-2008; Am. Ord. 20-150, passed 1-21-2020)
