N.B. adopts new regulations for portable storage units
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - The Township Council adopted an ordinance July 7 that regulates the use and placement of temporary portable storage units.

These units are generally placed on a residential property in order to store materials. The units themselves can be a container, storage unit, shed-like container or portable structure that is located outside of an enclosed building, according to the ordinance.

Only one unit is allowed on a residential property at a time, and it may not exceed 8 feet 6 inches in height, 10 feet in width, or 20 feet in length. The structures cannot be kept in the street, public right of way, or on unimproved surfaces in a front yard. They may be kept in driveways and side and rear yards, as long as area is paved; the intent is to keep them on offstreet surfaces and locate them at the furthest accessible point from the street.

The units are subject to all propertymaintenance standards and cannot be kept in a state of disassembly or disrepair. The structure must be secured so it does not endanger the safety of any people or the property. In the event of dangerous weather conditions, the ordinance states the unit may have to be removed.

"While we are supportive of homeowners who have a need for such a unit, we have an interest in maintaining the integrity of our neighborhoods as well," said Michael Hritz, director of the Department of Community Development.

The units are allowed for a period of 60 days only two times per year. An application must first be submitted for a zoning permit so that approval is granted from the Department of Community Development. The ordinance states that if the permit application is made by a tenant or a contractor, written permission from the owner of the property must be provided. The permit fee is $30.

The user of any portable unit that is placed in violation of the ordinance or that is not removed when required faces a fine of up to $2,000 and/or 90 days of imprisonment, depending on the specific violation( s). Each day a violation continues after official notice will be deemed a separate offense. There could be a 30-day period allowed in which the user can abate the violation, along with an opportunity for a hearing before the municipal court, depending on the circumstance.

"These new regulations and the permit process will provide some controls on when and how these units can be used," Hritz said.

For a complete copy of the ordinance, contact the municipal clerk at 732-247- 0922, ext. 470, or the Department of Community Development at ext. 440.