Bluffdale, Utah Development News

City Council Approves New Regulations for Accessory Storage Containers

The City Council voted to approve an ordinance regulating accessory storage containers, establishing definitions, standards for placement, and limitations on the number of containers allowed. Key provisions include defining a cargo container, stating it must be an accessory use to an existing primary use, prohibiting vertical stacking unless integrated into a building compliant with codes, and prohibiting use as dwelling quarters. Standards for good repair and placement on compacted surfaces are included. For residential zones, limits vary by lot size, with one container up to 20 feet allowed temporarily (120 days/year) in the front yard for moving or remodeling. Lots under 20,000 sq ft can have one 40-foot container; lots between 20,000 sq ft and one acre can have one per 5,000 sq ft (max nine); and lots one acre or larger can have one per 5,000 sq ft (max nine). In non-residential zones, one container per 8,000 sq ft is allowed if open storage is permitted. The ordinance was revised based on resident feedback, moving from linear footage to a count-based enforcement, and allowing temporary placement for remodeling or moving. The council made amendments to allow multiple temporary containers on driveways (limited by driveway size) and to set a uniform limit of one container per 5,000 sq ft for residential zones up to a maximum of nine.