Elkhart County adopts ordinance adding standards for storage containers on A1 properties

The Elkhart County Board of Commissioners on May 18 adopted changes to the county zoning ordinance that create new standards for storage containers in unincorporated county zoning districts.

Land director May Hope told commissioners the amendment spans roughly one and a half pages and is more restrictive than previous practice because it applies setback standards and quantity limits to containers. "When they are permitted in a residential area, they do have to ensure that the logos that are on the side are covered," Hope said, describing a requirement intended to reduce neighbor complaints. Hope also said the ordinance applies accessory‑structure setbacks to containers so that they are treated similarly to built structures.

Under the adopted language, storage containers would be allowed by right on A1 parcels of three acres or more subject to the setback and concealment standards; property owners who seek different standards may apply for a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals, Hope said. Planning staff recommended approval. In the staff presentation the Plan Commission's recommendation was described as '2–7' (staff noted that some Plan Commission members opposed the more stringent standards), but county staff nonetheless recommended adoption by the commissioners.

Commissioners opened a public hearing; no speakers opposed the measure, and the Board voted to accept the ordinance changes. The ordinance is now adopted and county staff said they will publish the updated language and incorporate the standards into permit review and enforcement processes. For property owners who wish to use containers outside those standards, the variance route through the Board of Zoning Appeals remains available.