Using shipping containers, such as metal cargo containers and intermodal containers designed to show and ship materials, for permanent storage will now be regulated as a result of recent action by the El Paso County Board of County CommissionersIn December, the BOCC approved an amendment to the land development code dealing specifically with shipping containers.Nina Ruiz, a planner with the El Paso County Planning and Development Department, said if the container is over 200 square feet, a building permit is now required for using it as permanent storage. The new regulations also require a site plan and ìa suitable level base.î Ruiz said the base is needed to keep the container from sliding on a steep slope.In all residential and commercial zoning districts, except A-35, which is a 35-acre tract devoted to agricultural purposes; shipping containers will now have to be painted to blend in with the surroundings, screened from the public view with such things as opaque fencing or landscaping and subject to applicable zoning setback requirements.Specifically exempt from this amendment are semi-truck trailers, mobile or manufactured homes, mobile office trailers and modular office buildings.
