Sec. 7.5. Outdoor Display and Storage

7.5.1. Applicability

A. Regulations governing outdoor storage and display shall apply in all non-residential districts.

B. Outdoor storage regulations shall not apply to agricultural usesClosed Land used as pasture or in the commercial production of crops, forestry, horticultural products, fish hatcheries or aquaculture, and the keeping of livestock for commercial or noncommercial purposes. Also included in this definition of agricultural uses are agricultural accessory buildings and sales of farm products grown or produced on the premises. This definition does not include domesticated chickens allowed pursuant to Sec. 5.4, Accessory Uses and Structures, the commercial slaughtering of animals for marketing, and farm tenant dwellings. pursuant to Sec. 5.1, Use Table.

7.5.2. Outdoor Display

A. Outdoor display is defined as the display of products actively available for sale, but does not include products in closed boxes, crates, other kinds of shipping containers, or uses considered outdoor storage in accordance with paragraph 7.5.3, Outdoor Storage, below.

B. Except in association with agricultural usesClosed Land used as pasture or in the commercial production of crops, forestry, horticultural products, fish hatcheries or aquaculture, and the keeping of livestock for commercial or noncommercial purposes. Also included in this definition of agricultural uses are agricultural accessory buildings and sales of farm products grown or produced on the premises. This definition does not include domesticated chickens allowed pursuant to Sec. 5.4, Accessory Uses and Structures, the commercial slaughtering of animals for marketing, and farm tenant dwellings., outdoor display shall be indicated on a site planClosed An accurately scaled development plan that shows existing conditions on a site as well as depicting details of proposed development. illustrating the extent of the permitted area for outdoor display pursuant to the standards below:

1. All products displayed shall be located outdoors only during the hours the use is open for business;

2. The display area shall be located no closer than five feet from any public entrance;

3. The display area shall occupy no more than 50% of the buildingClosed As defined in the North Carolina Building Code, as amended, or the North Carolina Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings, as amended, as applicable. frontage;

4. The display area shall not blockClosed A usually rectangular space enclosed by right-of-way and occupied by or intended for buildings. sidewalks or parking areas, and shall not impede pedestrian or vehicular circulation; and

5. The display area shall not be located in a public right-of-wayClosed A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, trail, rail corridor, or public utility. except in the Downtown Tier, subject to other applicable requirements.

C. For outdoor display associated with agricultural usesClosed Land used as pasture or in the commercial production of crops, forestry, horticultural products, fish hatcheries or aquaculture, and the keeping of livestock for commercial or noncommercial purposes. Also included in this definition of agricultural uses are agricultural accessory buildings and sales of farm products grown or produced on the premises. This definition does not include domesticated chickens allowed pursuant to Sec. 5.4, Accessory Uses and Structures, the commercial slaughtering of animals for marketing, and farm tenant dwellings. pursuant to Sec. 5.1, Use Table, only the following shall apply.

1. No site planClosed An accurately scaled development plan that shows existing conditions on a site as well as depicting details of proposed development. is required.

2. Outdoor display areas shall not blockClosed A usually rectangular space enclosed by right-of-way and occupied by or intended for buildings. sidewalks or parking areas, and shall not impede pedestrian or vehicular circulation; and

3. Outdoor display areas shall not be located in a public right-of-wayClosed A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, trail, rail corridor, or public utility. except in the Downtown Tier, subject to other applicable requirements.

7.5.3. Outdoor Storage

A. General

Outdoor storage is more intensive than outdoor display. Materials stored in outdoor storage are not normally brought indoors overnight.

B. Class A Outdoor Storage

1. Class A outdoor storage is defined as garden supplies, buildingClosed As defined in the North Carolina Building Code, as amended, or the North Carolina Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings, as amended, as applicable. supplies, plants, vehicleClosed All motorized vehicles as defined by the State of North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and motorcycles. This definition shall not include “Heavy Equipment” as defined elsewhere. sales and services, manufactured home sales, play equipment, and other similar items.

2. Areas used for Class A outdoor storage shall be permitted following review and approval of a site planClosed An accurately scaled development plan that shows existing conditions on a site as well as depicting details of proposed development. illustrating the extent of the area proposed for outdoor storage, provided it meets the following standards:

a. No outdoor storage shall be allowed in street yardsClosed A space on the same lot with a building or group of buildings, which space lies between the building or group of buildings and the nearest lot line. or within 15 feet of any public right-of-wayClosed A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, trail, rail corridor, or public utility., whichever is greater.

b. No outdoor storage shall be permitted within required vehicular use areas.

c. Outdoor storage can be located to the side of a buildingClosed As defined in the North Carolina Building Code, as amended, or the North Carolina Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings, as amended, as applicable., provided it is not located within the side yardClosed A space on the same lot with a building or group of buildings, which space lies between the building or group of buildings and the nearest lot line..

d. Any rear yardClosed A space on the same lot with a building or group of buildings, which space lies between the building or group of buildings and the nearest lot line. can be used for outdoor storage purposes, except in the SRP District.

C. Class B Outdoor Storage

1. Class B outdoor storage is defined as material stored in crates, boxes, or shipping containers; lumber yardsClosed A space on the same lot with a building or group of buildings, which space lies between the building or group of buildings and the nearest lot line.; pipe; wrecking, junk, and salvage yardsClosed Any non-residential property used for the storage, collection, and/or recycling of any type of equipment, and including but not limited to vehicles, appliances and related machinery.; vehicle storage yardsClosed A bulk and non-public holding facility for fleet vehicles or heavy equipment, vehicles held for sale or repair, or the storage of operable or inoperable vehicles awaiting adjustment or settlement of insurance claims or motor vehicles that have been impounded by the police. No dismantling of vehicles is permitted.; and other similar uses.

2. In addition to the requirements of paragraph B.2 above, areas used for Class B outdoor storage shall be screenedClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. from view from the public right-of-wayClosed A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, trail, rail corridor, or public utility., public vehicular use areas, or adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. residential developmentClosed Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. pursuant to Sec. 9.7, ScreeningClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views..

D. Outdoor Storage in SRP District

1. Outdoor storage shall not be permitted in required yardsClosed A space on the same lot with a building or group of buildings, which space lies between the building or group of buildings and the nearest lot line..

2. Outdoor storage shall be screenedClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. according to Class B standards.