Borough of Sharpsburg, PA Portable Storage Units and Dumpsters

Definitions and regulations.

"Portable storage unit" is hereby defined as a container that is not affixed to the land and that is designed for temporary short-term storage.

"Dumpster" is a container that is not affixed to the land and is designed for temporary short-term refuse disposable.

Both portable storage units and dumpsters are within the definition of "structure," which is hereby defined as any assembled, erected or constructed object having a stationary location on or in land or in water, whether or not affixed to the land, including but not limited to gazebos, storage sheds, storage containers, portable storage units, freestanding posts, communications equipment buildings, communications towers, pillars, dumpsters and similar objects.

The following regulations shall be applicable to portable storage units for on-site storage and/or dumpsters:

There shall be no more than one portable storage unit or dumpster per lot.

A portable storage unit or dumpster shall be no larger than eight feet wide, 16 feet long and eight feet high.

No portable storage unit or dumpster shall remain in a residential zoning district in excess of 30 days in any calendar year. The portable storage unit or dumpster shall be removed from the lot by the expiration date on the permit.

No portable storage unit or dumpster shall remain on a lot in a nonresidential zoning district in excess of 30 consecutive days, and portable storage units or dumpsters shall not be placed on a lot in a nonresidential zoning district in excess of 45 days in any one calendar year.

A portable storage unit and/or a dumpster shall be permitted during construction, reconstruction, alteration or renovation of the principal building and for an additional period of three days before and after such activity, provided a building permit has been issued by the Borough of Sharpsburg. The portable storage unit and/or dumpster shall be removed from the lot before the Borough Building Inspector issues an occupancy permit or if the construction activity ceases for a period of more than seven consecutive days.

A portable storage unit or dumpster may be located on a lot during an emergency situation as declared by the appropriate federal, state, county or Borough agency pursuant to a temporary permit issued by the Borough of Sharpsburg Zoning Officer. The portable storage unit or dumpster shall be removed from the lot within seven days after the end of the emergency declaration.

It shall be unlawful for any person to place, or permit the placement of, a portable storage unit or dumpster on property which he or she owns, rents, occupies or controls without first having obtained a permit therefor from the Borough of Sharpsburg Zoning Officer.

Application for a permit shall be made to the Borough of Sharpsburg Zoning Officer on a form provided by the Borough. The Zoning Officer shall determine the most appropriate location for the portable storage unit or dumpster to be placed on the lot. A permit fee in the initial amount of $100 is hereby established for the first two-week duration, thereafter a fee of $25 per day shall be charged until the portable storage unit or dumpster is removed. This fee may be amended from time to time by resolution of the Borough of Sharpsburg and shall accompany the application. The issuance of a permit shall allow the applicant to place the portable storage unit or dumpster on the subject lot in the location specified in the permit in conformance with the requirements of this part. The permit shall be posted in plain view on the subject lot.