With shipping containers becoming more popular, Minnehaha County enacts regulations

Containers are used for storage and living quarters

Photo by Marco Pregnolato on Unsplash

The growing popularity of shipping containers that are used for storage or building projects has invited regulation by Minnehaha County.

The County Commission passed an ordinance that requires property owners to get a conditional use permit if they use the containers in certain situations. When used as an accessory building, the county now requires a building permit. And a conditional use permit is required when property owners use more than one container in residential areas or agriculture districts on properties less than three acres.

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The containers are defined as six-sided metal units designed as cargo containers. They do not include containers that are attached to a chassis, including rail cars, bus bodies or semi-truck trailers.

Kevin Hoekman, a planner with the county, told the commission they started studying the issue in May by reviewing ordinances that have already passed in other areas of the country. Some places ban their use while others require specific uses.

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