[Adopted 6-13-2023 by Ord. No. 9326]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Articles X, XI, and XII, Preservation Area, Swimming Pools, and Storm Shelters, were renumbered as Articles XI, XII, and X, respectively 11-14-2023 by Ord. No. 9337.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
SAFE ROOM
Any fortified room or freestanding compartment secured within or outside of the main structure that is installed in or on the same property as a private residence, business, or public place designed to protect the occupants from the effects of wind and debris resulting from a tornado.
STORM SHELTER
Either a safe room or a tornado shelter.
TORNADO SHELTER
Any primarily underground structure designed to protect the occupants from the effects of wind and debris resulting from a tornado.
A. 
No storm shelter shall be erected, placed, or otherwise constructed within the corporate limits of the City of El Reno without first having obtained a permit for the placement thereof in accordance with this article.
B. 
Applications for a storm shelter permit to serve an existing single-family or two-family residence shall be required to include the following information:
(1) 
Address of the proposed shelter, and the name and contact information for the owner and primary occupant(s) of the proposed shelter;
(2) 
Shelter type;
(3) 
Site plan, drawn to scale, showing the location of the proposed shelter, including distances to the primary structure, any existing accessory structures (carports, sheds, fences, etc.), all paving, public and private utilities, floodplain, water features, and all easements on the property, and any other feature deemed necessary by the Community Development Director:
(a) 
If the proposed shelter is a tornado shelter inside the garage of the structure, the applicant may include on the permit application affirmation that the tornado shelter is inside the garage in lieu of a site plan.
(b) 
If the proposed shelter is safe room inside the structure, which does not expand the existing footprint of the existing structure, the applicant shall include a floor plan showing the location of the proposed safe room within the house in lieu of a site plan.
(4) 
Engineered construction drawings for the proposed shelter;
(5) 
If applicable, additional documentation to verify conformance with other provisions of this article, including screening and location requirements; and
(6) 
Permit fee, as established by the Council.
C. 
Applications for a storm shelter permit to serve an existing nonresidential or multifamily residence shall be required to include the information stated in Subsection B of this section, in addition to the following information:
(1) 
Occupancy of shelter.
(2) 
ADA-accessible route to the shelter location.
D. 
When a storm shelter is included in the construction of a new residence, business, or other building, said shelter shall be identified on the plans, and be inspected as a part of the building permit approval and inspection process. Documentation to prove compliance with Subsection B and C, as applicable, shall be required.
It is the intent of this article that new storm shelters shall not be located in the required front yard setback in any zoning district, as defined in Chapter 361 of this Code; and that new storm shelters shall not be located in front of the front elevation of existing dwellings, regardless of the front yard setback. Storm shelters shall be installed in accordance with the same setbacks as accessory structures for the zoning districts in which they are installed. However, when there is no reasonable access for construction equipment to a rear yard because of the location of existing structures, a tornado shelter shall be permitted in the front yard of the property, provided:
A. 
The tornado shelter shall be subject to a minimum setback of at least 10 feet from the front property line and at least five feet from the side property line.
B. 
The aboveground height of the shelter shall be no greater than 30 inches above the surrounding grade, including all ventilation and access points.
C. 
Landscape materials shall be provided on all sides of the tornado shelter, excluding an approach for entry into the shelter, for the purpose of screening its view from the street and all adjoining properties.
D. 
The shelter and approach shall only be visible from the primary structure, or in the case of a side yard installation, the shelter and approach may be oriented to face the rear of the property, in order to adequately screen it from view from the street and adjoining properties.
E. 
Failure to adequately screen the storm shelter from the view of the street and all adjoining properties shall constitute a violation of this chapter, with each day of non-compliance constituting a new and separate violation of this chapter.
F. 
There shall be no encroachment on public or private rights-of-way or easements.