Title 7 - Health and Sanitation

7.25.302.13 Rain Barrels.

The City promotes the benefits of the use of rain barrels while recognizing the need to blend their use into a residential setting. To balance the environmental, drainage and other benefits of rain barrels with the potential for nuisance, aesthetic or other issues that may result from the use of the same, rain barrels are permitted in residential districts subject to the following:

1. a.
   One rain barrel per each downspout is allowed on any residential building façade, when said rain barrel is:

   1. 1.
      Approximately 65 gallons or less in capacity;
   2. 2.
      Screened from view at grade or reasonably blends with the building’s façade and surrounding landscaping/vegetation;
   3. 3.
      Located adjacent to the building envelope;
   4. 4.
      Not elevated more than 24 inches above adjacent grade, placed on a stable surface, and maintained in such a way as to prevent tipping;
   5. 5.
      Secured with a lid (lids with a designed screen opening are acceptable);
   6. 6.
      Maintained in a safe and functional condition and kept in good repair; and
   7. 7.
      Maintained to prevent any offensive odors, any mosquito or other insect eggs and larvae, any other nuisance or any other city code violation.
2. b.
   Larger rain barrels or even multiple rain barrels per downspout are allowed when the rain barrels are:

   1. 1.
      Located in the rear yard or side yard behind the front building line;
   2. 2.
      Screened from view at grade from the right-of-way and any adjacent property;
   3. 3.
      Placed on a stable surface, and maintained in such a way as to prevent tipping;
   4. 4.
      Secured with a lid (lids with a designed screen opening are acceptable);
   5. 5.
      Maintained in a safe and functional condition and kept in good repair; and
   6. 6.
      Maintained to prevent any offensive odors, any mosquito or other insect eggs and larvae, any other nuisance or any other city code violation.
   7. 7.
      Subject to the 20% of allowable outside storage area calculation set forth in O.P.M.C. Section 7.25.302.12.
3. c.
   The Code Official is authorized to interpret the application of the requirements in subsections a and b above, and is further authorized to approve reasonable alternative requirements that meet the general goal and intent of this Section.

(History: Ord. No. PM-3289 §22, 2020)  

Effective on: 1/1/1901