The City of Enderby has implemented land use regulations and enhanced health and safety requirements related to the use and siting of shipping containers. These measures are intended to preserve public safety and protect the form and character of neighbourhoods.
There is a grace period until January 31, 2022 for properties with shipping containers, which is provided to give property owners time to adjust, if necessary. After the grace period ends, proactive enforcement will begin for shipping containers that are contrary to land use regulations and/or health and safety requirements.
The requirements are different for residential zones than commercial, industrial, institutional, and rural zones.
Shipping Containers in Residential Zones
- May be used in a residential zone only on a temporary basis:
- 30 days if used for moving purposes;
- 30 days after final inspection of a building or structure for which a Building Permit has been issued, if used for construction storage; and
- 90 days if used for emergency purposes.
- Must be sited at least:
- 1.5 m (4.92 feet) from any side lot line;
- 1.5 m (4.92 feet) from any building or structure on site;
- 3 m (9.84 feet) from any building or structure on an adjacent property; and
- 3 m (9.84 feet) from power lines.
- No hazardous materials, including flammable or combustible liquids or gases, shall be stored in a temporary shipping container, and no combustible materials shall be placed near a temporary shipping container.
- Only one temporary shipping container may be located on a property if used for moving or construction storage purposes. There is no limitation on the number of temporary shipping containers for emergency purposes, but they may not be stacked.
Shipping Containers in Commercial, Industrial, Institutional and Rural Zones
- May be used temporarily in commercial, industrial and rural zones, subject to the same requirements as residential zones.
- May only be permanently sited in the following zones:
- Industrial (I.1, I.2);
- Service Commercial (C.4);
- Country Residential (C.R), if the principal use of the property is civic/public service, intensive agriculture, or limited agriculture; and
- Assembly, Civic, and Public Service (S.1).
- A permanent shipping container must be sited:
- At least 8 m (26.25 feet) from any front or exterior side lot line;
- At least 1.5 m (4.92 feet) from any rear or side lot line;
- At least 3 m (9.84 feet) from any other building or structure;
- There is a minimum separation of 6 m (19.69 feet) between the exits, windows or unprotected openings of any other building or structure and the shipping container;
- It is not located between the principal building or structure of the parcel and the front lot line;
- It is located at least 3 m (9.84 feet) from power lines; and
- The container doors face away from any other building or structure.
- Where flammable or combustible liquids are stored in a permanent shipping container, combustible construction shall be removed, provisions for spill containment installed, and the container shall be grounded. Where 1A flammable liquids in quantities greater than 4 litres are stored in the shipping container then provisions shall be made to comply with the requirements for withstanding an internal explosion as per the BC Fire Code, BC Building Code and NFPA 68.
- The dispensing of flammable liquids and the storage of open containers is prohibited in shipping containers.
- Compressed gases shall not be stored in the shipping containers. Limited amounts of aerosols shall be stored in the shipping containers and only when stored in metal cabinets.
- Permanent shipping containers must have the following safety features in place:
- One ventilation opening must be added within 150mm of the floor in the container door primarily used for opening;
- One ventilation opening must be added within 150mm from the top of the container on the opposite end from the doors for cross ventilation;
- The high ventilation opening cannot be directly venting toward a structure;
- Neither ventilation opening can be obstructed by stored materials at any time and must be kept clear of internal and external debris;
- The ventilation openings must be constructed based upon the following:
- Two 0.3 x 0.3 m openings for containers six metres or less.
- Two 0.5 x 0.5 m openings for containers over six metres.
- Both openings must be covered by open grate wire mesh with greater than 50% free area.
- Higher opening will also have a wind vent device, such as a wind turbine.
- Alternate engineered solutions for ventilation and explosion protection may be considered at the sole discretion of the City of Enderby, with all review and evaluation costs to be borne by the requesting party.
- The number of permanent shipping containers permitted on a property is limited to the following:
- Two for Industrial zones (I.1, I.2);
- Two for Assembly, Civic, and Public Service zones (S.1);
- One for Service Commercial (C.4) zones; and
- One for Country Residential (C.R) zones.
- The stacking of shipping containers is prohibited.
- Permanent shipping containers must be screened OR have an exterior finish that matches or compliments exterior finish of buildings on property.
Last Updated on December 14, 2023.