Outdoor storage is the use of land for storing materials, equipment, vehicles, or inventory in an open-air setting without an enclosed building. Outdoor storage is most commonly permitted under I (Industrial) or C (Commercial) zoning, and it is one of the most heavily regulated land uses because of its visual impact on surrounding properties and neighborhoods.
Industrial zones are the most permissive for outdoor storage operations. Construction material yards, equipment staging areas, vehicle impound lots, lumber yards, and scrap yards are typical outdoor storage uses found in industrial zones. Even within industrial zoning, outdoor storage is subject to screening requirements (solid fencing, walls, or landscaping to block views from public roads and adjacent properties), height limits on stacked materials, surface requirements (paved, graveled, or compacted surfaces rather than bare ground), setback requirements from property lines, and stormwater management for large impervious or compacted surfaces.
The type of materials stored determines additional regulatory requirements. Outdoor storage of hazardous materials, flammable liquids, or waste materials triggers environmental permits and containment requirements that are separate from zoning. Vehicle storage lots that accept inoperable or salvage vehicles may be classified as junkyards or salvage yards, which face the most restrictive zoning standards of any outdoor storage use.
Most commercial zones either prohibit outdoor storage or permit it only under strict conditions. The visual impact of stored materials, equipment, and vehicles is inconsistent with the appearance standards that commercial zones are designed to maintain. Where outdoor storage is permitted in commercial zones, it is typically limited to areas behind the primary building (not visible from the street), fully screened from view by solid fencing or walls, restricted in the types and quantities of materials that can be stored, and subject to regular maintenance and organization standards.
Some commercial uses involve incidental outdoor storage as part of normal operations, such as a garden center displaying plants, a building supply store stacking lumber, or a car dealership parking inventory. These are generally treated as accessory outdoor display rather than outdoor storage and may have different (less restrictive) standards than dedicated storage operations.
Commercial outdoor storage is not permitted in residential zones. Residential zoning codes also restrict personal outdoor storage to prevent property maintenance issues and protect neighborhood appearance. Common residential restrictions include limits on the number of vehicles that can be parked or stored on a property, prohibitions on storing inoperable vehicles, restrictions on visible storage of building materials, equipment, or junk, and rules about the placement and screening of recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers.
Start by confirming the zoning on your target property. You can look up your property's zoning on ZoningPoint.com to identify the current classification. Contact your local planning department to determine whether outdoor storage is permitted in your zone, what screening and surface requirements apply, and whether a conditional use permit or site plan review is required. If storing regulated materials, contact your state environmental agency regarding applicable permits and containment requirements.
It is important that you look up the specific zoning type for your parcel of land, because every jurisdiction has their own unique zoning and this is just a generalization.
