Soddy-Daisy discusses regulating shipping containers; staff says some existing containers are illegal
March 01, 2026 | Soddy-Daisy, Hamilton County, Tennessee
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City Manager Johnson reviewed a draft ordinance July 25 that would regulate shipping containers used for storage across most residential, commercial and light-manufacturing zones while exempting the Soddy-Daisy Industrial Park.
Johnson told the work session that staff recommends applying rules to A-1, R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-5, C-2, C-3, M-1 and M-2 zoning districts, with visibility and screening standards and discretion for the city in residential areas. He said temporary containers used in C-2 and C-3 could be exempted from full regulations for a set timeframe to accommodate seasonal or short-term retail needs.
"If you do not want to allow them, then there are numerous containers being used throughout the City that are in violation and at times this even includes Wal-Mart," Johnson said, urging the group to consider enforcement approaches and reasonable compliance windows for existing users. Commissioners expressed consensus that screening and appearance should guide discretionary approvals in residential contexts.
The draft excludes moving pods and active construction-site containers from the rules. Staff and commissioners discussed grandfathering versus enforcement: Johnson said existing containers are illegal under current rules and could be enforced, but owners would need time to make changes.
Next steps: staff will revise the draft shipping-container ordinance to incorporate today's feedback and circulate the updated draft for review ahead of formal hearings.
Johnson told the work session that staff recommends applying rules to A-1, R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-5, C-2, C-3, M-1 and M-2 zoning districts, with visibility and screening standards and discretion for the city in residential areas. He said temporary containers used in C-2 and C-3 could be exempted from full regulations for a set timeframe to accommodate seasonal or short-term retail needs.
"If you do not want to allow them, then there are numerous containers being used throughout the City that are in violation and at times this even includes Wal-Mart," Johnson said, urging the group to consider enforcement approaches and reasonable compliance windows for existing users. Commissioners expressed consensus that screening and appearance should guide discretionary approvals in residential contexts.
The draft excludes moving pods and active construction-site containers from the rules. Staff and commissioners discussed grandfathering versus enforcement: Johnson said existing containers are illegal under current rules and could be enforced, but owners would need time to make changes.
Next steps: staff will revise the draft shipping-container ordinance to incorporate today's feedback and circulate the updated draft for review ahead of formal hearings.
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