Chapter 11.95
ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
Sections:
11.95.010 Lot areas and setbacks.
11.95.015 Storage on residential use properties.
11.95.020 Cargo containers – Permitted locations.
11.95.025 Permit required – Development standards.
11.95.027 Cargo containers – Temporary use.
11.95.030 Pods – Temporary use.
11.95.040 Conditional use permit – Review process.
11.95.050 Current violations – Time to comply.
11.95.060 Violation – Penalty.
11.95.010 Lot areas and setbacks.
A. Accessory structures, whether attached or detached, shall occupy no more than 24 percent of the lot area with the exception of accessory structures exceeding 150 square feet or 11 feet tall shall need a building permit.
B. An accessory structure shall comply with the front and side yard setbacks required in the district in which the structure is located.
C. An accessory structure may be located in a required rear yard but shall be at least five feet from any lot line.
D. Accessory structures lot coverage must comply with maximum lot coverage limits. (Ord. 2149 § 1, 2021; Ord. 2116 § 2, 2018; Ord. 2041 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 1024 § 11.03.030, 2001).
11.95.015 Storage on residential use properties.
A. Accessory storage buildings shall be permitted as accessory storage containers on property in any residential zone of the city, or on property the primary use of which is residential. Cargo containers, railroad cars, truck vans, converted mobile homes, travel trailers, recreational vehicles, bus bodies, vehicles, and similar prefabricated items and structures originally built for purposes other than the storage of goods and materials are not permitted to be used as accessory storage buildings on property zoned residential or on property the primary use of which is residential.
B. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in RCC 11.95.030, Pods – Temporary use, the temporary placement of pods on residentially zoned properties, or on properties the primary use of which is residential, for the limited purpose of loading and unloading household contents shall be permitted for a period of time not exceeding 60 days in any one calendar year.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in RCC 11.95.027, Cargo containers – Temporary use, and 11.95.040, Conditional use permit – Review process, licensed and bonded contractors may use cargo containers for the temporary location of equipment and/or materials during construction, which is taking place on the property where the cargo container is located, if the use of the cargo container is authorized pursuant to a city building permit for a maximum period of 180 days.
D. Conditional use and building permitted containers are to remain primitive and not be connected to utility services, not limited to water, sewer, gas, and electric. (Ord. 2149 § 1, 2021).
11.95.020 Cargo containers – Permitted locations.
A. The placement of a cargo container as an accessory storage use is limited to the following zoning districts:
1. Central business (C-1).
2. General commercial (C-2).
3. Tourist commercial (C-3).
4. Industrial (I).
B. The placement of cargo containers is further limited to properties in the above-identified zones only if the property upon which the cargo container is proposed to be located is not primarily used for residential purposes. (Ord. 2149 § 1, 2021; Ord. 2116 § 2, 2018).
11.95.025 Permit required – Development standards.
A. A building permit is required prior to placement of a cargo container larger than 150 square feet in area, ensuring effective anchoring/foundation according to the then most current edition of the International Building Code. The application shall show the proposed cargo container is accessory to the permitted use of the property and meets the placement criteria for the zone.
B. Cargo containers shall meet the setback requirements of the underlying zone and shall be placed five feet apart.
C. Cargo containers shall not be stacked above the height of a single container device.
D. Cargo containers shall not be used for any advertising purpose and shall be kept clean of all alphanumeric signage and writing.
E. As a condition of placement, cargo containers may be required to be fenced or screened from abutting properties and/or rights-of-way pursuant to the provisions of the underlying zoning regulations.
F. Cargo containers shall be in an approved designated area and on the same property as the principal use and be included in the calculation of overall lot coverage.
G. Cargo containers shall not occupy required off-street parking, loading or landscaping areas.
H. Materials stored within cargo containers are subject to review and approval by the fire chief.
I. Cargo containers are to remain primitive and not be connected to utility services, not limited to water, sewer, gas, and electric. (Ord. 2149 § 1, 2021).
11.95.027 Cargo containers – Temporary use.
A. Cargo containers may be used for temporary storage of equipment and/or materials at a construction site that is authorized by a city conditional use permit for a maximum period of 180 consecutive days.
1. The cargo containers shall not be stacked.
2. Material storage within cargo containers is subject to review and approval by the fire chief.
3. Cargo containers are to remain primitive and not be connected to utility services, not limited to water, sewer, gas, and electric. (Ord. 2149 § 1, 2021).
11.95.030 Pods – Temporary use.
Pods, up to 16 feet, will be authorized by a city conditional use permit for a maximum period of 60 days. (Ord. 2149 § 1, 2021; Ord. 2116 § 2, 2018).
11.95.040 Conditional use permit – Review process.
A. Any person, firm, or corporation may submit an application for a city conditional use permit. A conditional use permit application shall include the following and shall be submitted to the city clerk:
1. A site plan showing to standard scale the location and dimensions of the container and the setback requirements in the zone where they are placed.
2. A complete application with applicable fees in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by the city council.
B. A conditional use permit shall be obtained from the city clerk prior to the arrival of the container or pod on the site.
C. A conditional use permit will be issued for a maximum period of 180 consecutive days for cargo containers, and a maximum of 60 days for pods. (Ord. 2149 § 1, 2021; Ord. 2116 § 2, 2018).
11.95.050 Current violations – Time to comply.
All owners of property within the city shall have 120 days from the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter and other currently existing provisions of the Ritzville Municipal Code or other ordinances of the city, the terms and provisions of this chapter shall take precedence and to the extent of any such conflict, the terms and conditions of any existing provisions of the Ritzville Municipal Code or other ordinances of the city shall be and hereby are amended insofar as necessary to conform to the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2149 § 1, 2021).
11.95.052 Conflicts.
In the event any conflict exists between the provisions of this chapter and other currently existing provisions of the Ritzville Municipal Code or other ordinances of the city, the terms and provisions of this chapter shall take precedence and to the extent of any such conflict, the terms and conditions of any existing provisions of the Ritzville Municipal Code or other ordinances of the city shall be and hereby are amended insofar as necessary to conform to the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2149 § 1, 2021).
11.95.060 Violation – Penalty.
Any person, firm or corporation who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects, or refuses to comply with or who resists the enforcement of this chapter shall be subject to a civil fine of not more than $500.00 for each violation. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense. (Ord. 2149 § 1, 2021; Ord. 2116 § 2, 2018. Formerly 11.95.050).