Ordinance sets rules for storage
BY KATHY BARATTA
Staff Writer

MANALAPAN - The Township Committee has adopted an ordinance that will regulate the placement and length of time residents make keep so-called portable on-demand storage units on their property.

The ordinance was adopted by the committee at its Aug. 8 meeting.

The new law outlines an application process that will include a $20 permit fee and establishes specific requirements for the placement of this type of unit on private property.

Before a portable on-demand storage unit can be placed on an individual's property, approval from the township must be obtained.

The law stipulates that the storage unit must be placed in the driveway of a residence unless a different placement has been approved by the zoning officer. The placement of the unit cannot exceed 90 days and no more than two portable on-demand storage units can be placed on any property. No toxic or hazardous materials may be stored in this type of storage facility, according to the ordinance.

In order to restrict what is stored in the unit in an effort to prevent commercial items from being stored there, the ordinance states, "No non-residential use shall store materials of any kind outdoors in any (zoning) district except in connection with the construction of a structure to be erected on the premises unless specifically permitted in conjunction with an approved site plan or permitted elsewhere in this chapter.

"A portable on-demand storage structure may be used as a temporary structure within the township when in compliance with the standards of this section. The term portable on-demand storage structure shall be defined to be any container, storage unit, shed-like container or other portable structure that can be or is used for the storage of personal property of any kind and which is located for such purposes outside an enclosed building other than an accessory building or shed complying with all building codes and land use requirements," according to the ordinance.

To qualify for a permit, an applicant will be required to submit a sketch of his property showing where the storage unit will be placed and the distance of the storage unit from other buildings, fire hydrants or other utility equipment. A $20 fee will be charged and required when the application is submitted.

Failure to observe the application process will result in an after-the-fact permit being issued at a cost of $200.