Land use Dumpsters during renovations

[ryan.smith21]

Hello,

Has anyone had to deal with commercial dumpsters being used long-term in residential areas? We have traditionally allowed commercial dumpsters in residential areas only when they have an active building permit as long as they’re stored on a paved surface. However, we are having an issue with renovations that are going on for years, dumpsters becoming a long-term neighborhood feature (eyesore), and neighbors complaining.

Has anyone come up with a creative way of dealing with this issue in a way that serves the people doing renovations while satisfying concerned neighbors?

Thanks in advance.

 

[luckless pedestrian]

How long is a building permit good for? Typically a building permit has to be commenced upon in x months (often it's 6) and then completed in x time (usually a year or two) - so if the dumpster is there beyond the life of the permit, then the inspector should be able to tell them to get it out of there

 

[ryan.smith21]

Yes, they are good for a year. But they are renewable. We're having problems with people who renew year after year and the dumpsters just stay.

 

[luckless pedestrian]

Maybe a limit on how many times they can be renewed?

 

[ryan.smith21]

Yeah, that's a good idea but I don't think that would fly locally - impinging on people's rights. Really I'm posting here because I can't come up with anything other than time place and manner.

 

[DVD]

My last city had a couple things:
1. We would allow them through a temporary use permit for 30 days. That was mostly for remodel jobs that didn't need a permit. Redoing drywall or flooring.
2. We allowed the with an active permit like you do, but to be considered active a permit needed an inspection every couple months. I think it was 3 months and the permit was dead.

 

[MD Planner]

Increase fees substantially after a certain period of time. The object is to get the project completed. So if the dumpster is still on site after say a year or two (depending upon size of job) then the fee goes up exponentially.

 

[Planit]

There was a similar issue in the city next door. If I remembered correctly, the owner of the house was remodeling it while not living there. He would come in one day a month and "work" (well more like piddle around). This went on for 2 or 3 years and the neighbors weren't happy - it came out later he was doing this intentionally because he was pissed at the guy next door.

Long story short, the city got him through code enforcement with broken windows, hanging gutters, debris and open dumpster, which collected water and became a breeding ground for insects and a harborage for vermin. Nuisance code requires things be taken care of within 90 days.

He got the message evidently through threat of $$$fines$$$ and he finished the reno and sold the house.

Don't know if that will work in your scenario, but it's an option to be explored.

 

[Doohickie]

We've got two homes with dumpsters on my street. I know they sit there for longer than they should but at least someone is doing something about houses that got run down. One of the houses I might have mentioned before- it was a drug house that was bought by a neighbor. He evicted the addicts, has secured the house and is working on fixing it up. He has a full time job and he's doing this on the side just to improve the neighborhood so I'm not going to get too upset about it.

 

[Doohickie]

One of the houses I might have mentioned before- it was a drug house that was bought by a neighbor.

And now that house is on the market. It's beautiful.

So much nicer than it used to be, and worth putting up with a dumpster for maybe a little longer than code allows. This house is a quarter mile up the street from mine.

I'll let you know when the other one hits the market.

 

[Doohickie]

I'll let you know when the other one hits the market.

The other one just showed up on Realtor.com.

The first house is asking $172 per square foot, the second one, $140. I'd be pretty surprised if either house got ask in this neighborhood, which typically sells in the $100-120 per square foot range.

 

[Doohickie]

Next door to the house above.... they're doing it again.