The regional district has been asked to initiate a bylaw to regulate shipping containers in rural areas, including Oliver and Osoyoos.
Planning manager Chris Garrish brought up the issue at a recent board meeting by way of a zoning bylaw amendment. The purpose is to govern the use and placement of metal shipping containers.
Garrish said the regulation of these containers has already been undertaken in Oliver, where they are only permitted in industrial and commercial zones. The rules include a limit on the stacking of containers to no more than two and prohibiting their placement between a principal building and the street frontage. Also, they cannot be placed on required on-site parking spaces.
Garrish said the use of these containers in rural areas has led to the occasional concern including: aesthetics (compatibility with residential neighbourhoods), safety (target for break-ins), and building permit implications (compliance and proper setbacks).
Garrish said it seems appropriate that these containers only be permitted in the industrial and rural zones (not in residential, parks and recreation areas).
Area C director Rick Knodel said there are some things that need to be considered before the board moves forward on regulations.
“It will be interesting to see what comes from the public input.”
