LIVINGSTON MANOR –– Last week, the Rockland Town Board voted to amend their zoning law relating to storage containers. Prior to its passage, there was no mention of storage containers in the town’s zoning law.

The amendment defines a storage container as an enclosed metal container no larger than eight feet wide, eight feet six inches tall, and 40 feet zero inches long. It adds that railroad cars, retired manufactured housing units and recreational vehicles, truck bodies or other mobile units intended for storage and not meeting the parameters of this definition, shall not be considered a storage container.

Also, these containers are not intended for dwelling purposes.

The amendment further states that in the interest of preserving scenic and rural character, protecting property values and recognizing the need for storage with the option of storage containers, the town sets forth the following regulations.

Storage containers are permitted in the Rural Conservation District subject to the following requirements:

(1) Each lot containing a storage container or containers must be a minimum of 10 acres.

(2) Storage containers shall be located in the rear or side yard only, not to be visible from public roads or adjacent properties and set back a minimum of 20 feet from property lines.

(3) Storage containers shall only be permitted in connection with established principal structures and uses.

(4) No more than four storage containers may be placed on a single lot.

Storage containers are also permitted in the General Business District subject to the following requirements:

(1) Storage containers shall be located in the rear yard only and screened from public roads and adjacent properties.

(2) Storage containers shall  only be permitted in connection with established principal commercial structures and uses.

(3) No more than one storage container may be placed on a single lot.

(4) Completion of a town permit application with a sketch plan shall be submitted to the code enforcement officer for review. The code enforcement officer will determine if the application and sketch plan meet the applicable requirements and shall issue or deny the permit accordingly.

Exceptions

The amended zoning law also established some exceptions  relating to storage containers, with one of them being temporary placement.

One storage container or other portable home storage unit may be located on a property in any district for moving, renovation or other temporary purposes. That container shall not exceed the size limits previously mentioned, and must be located on a paved area and  not be in place for a period exceeding 120 days. 

Furthermore, such temporarily placed containers shall not interfere with ingress and egress for emergency purposes or otherwise impede standards related to safety.

There is also an exception for construction storage containers for commercial or residential purposes. No more than two storage containers may be located on any property with or without a principal structure for a period not to exceed 180 days.

Storage containers are also allowed when necessary to facilitate clean-up and restoration activities resulting from a flood, fire or natural disaster to a building or structure. One storage container may be located on any property for a period not to exceed 180 days.

There's also an exception for storage containers  that  lawfully existed prior to the adoption of this section of the zoning law. They shall be allowed to continue subject to the requirements of 185-31 and 185-32 of that chapter of the zoning law, as applicable.

There are penalties for violations of this law.

Town of Rockland Supervisor Rob Eggleton said the amendment to the zoning law originated from comments from the general public that didn’t want to see storage containers “just popping up in [the town’s] high density residential areas. The appearance isn’t pleasing to them and to property values.”

Eggleton suggested people consider building a shed of less than 144 square feet or a garage, and that the amendment came from the consensus of a year long zoning review committee.

Budget hearing

In unrelated news, the Town Board has set a public hearing for their proposed 2022 Budget. It will be during their next meeting on October 21 at 7:15 p.m. at Town Hall in Livingston Manor.