09-09 Bill No 2025-07City of Richfield September 9, 2025
County of Hennepin
State of Minnesota
BILL NO. 2025-07
1 of 4
Motion by: Hayford Oleary
Seconded by: Christensen
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 1135 AND 925 OF THE
RICHFIELD CODE OF ORDINANCES PERTAINING TO
TEMPORARY OUTDOOR PORTABLE STORAGE CONTAINERS
Section 1. Subsection 1135.03 of the Richfield Code of Ordinances is hereby amended
as follows:
1135.03. – Definitions.
Subdivision 1. For the purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subsection have
the meaning given them.
Subd. 2. "Storage" means the placing or depositing of equipment, materials or inventory
in a storage enclosure for safekeeping pending further use.
Subd. 3. "Equipment", "materials" or "inventory" means equipment, material or inventory
owned or in possession in the course of business of an industrial or commercial establishment
regulated by this section; the term does not include utility trailers or trucks st ored or offered for
sale by dealers licensed under section 1185, or new or used motor vehicles stored or offered for
sale by motor vehicle dealers licensed under section 1155. (Correction, 12-22-89)
Subd. 4. "Merchandising" means the offering of goods for sale or rental to the general
public.
Subd. 5. "Permanent outdoor display" means merchandising by display on a continuous,
year-round basis.
Subd. 6. "Temporary outdoor display" means seasonal or intermittent merchandising by
display on less than a continuous, year-round basis.
Subd. 7. “Temporary outdoor portable storage container” means a structure or enclosure
used for the purpose of temporary storage of personal property.
Subd. 78. "Permanent outdoor display enclosure" means a structure, container or device
of a permanent nature, designed in conformance with applicable provisions of the City building
and fire prevention codes and this section, and used in display merchandise for sale.
Subd. 89. "Director" means the Director of Public Safety.
Section 2. The Richfield Code of Ordinances is hereby amended to add the following
new subsection 1135.18:
1135.18 – Temporary outdoor portable storage containers.
City of Richfield September 9, 2025
County of Hennepin
State of Minnesota
BILL NO. 2025-07
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Subdivision 1. Size and placement requirements. A temporary outdoor portable storage
container is permitted on property in a residential zone subject to all the following requirements.
The container:
(a) Must be no larger than 16x8x8 feet.
(b) Must be placed on a hard surface designed for parking such as concrete pavement,
asphalt or gravel.
(c) Must be placed as far back from any public street as reasonably possible.
(d) May not unsafely obstruct the vision of drivers of automobiles entering onto the
premises it is located on.
(e) May not encroach on a public right-of-way or adjacent private property.
Subd. 2. Additional Requirements. The following additional requirements apply:
(a) No more than one temporary outdoor portable storage container may be placed on a
property at one time, except that two containers may be used if the total square footage
does not exceed 16x8x8.
(b) A temporary outdoor portable storage container may not remain on a property longer
than sixty (60) consecutive days unless allowed under subdivision 3 of this section.
(c) Placement of a temporary outdoor portable storage container is limited to a maximum
of 90 days per calendar year on any single property.
(d) Temporary outdoor portable storage containers must be sourced from an established
and reputable company specializing in temporary outdoor storage.
(e) Temporary outdoor portable storage containers may not be used for animal or human
habitation.
Subd. 3. City approval required for longer storage period. A property owner may use a
temporary outdoor portable storage container on their property for a period longer than allowed
in subdivision 2, subject to all the following:
(a) The extended period shall be no longer than 180 days within a 12-month period,
starting on the date the container is first placed on the property.
(b) The need for the extended period is related to construction or remodeling activity on
the property.
(c) The continued use of the container does not create public safety concerns, in the
discretion of the City, or a public nuisance as defined by Section 925.
(d) The property owner, manager of the construction work on the property, or their
authorized representatives, must submit in writing, a request to the Director, or their
City of Richfield September 9, 2025
County of Hennepin
State of Minnesota
BILL NO. 2025-07
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designee, for extended placement of the container. The request must be granted in
writing by the Director, or their designee, before extended placement is permitted.
Subd. 4. Public nuisance. Failure to comply with this subsection constitutes a public
nuisance under City Code subsection 925.01, subd. 4.
Section 3. Subsection 925.01, subd. 4 of the Richfield Code of Ordinances is hereby
amended to add a new paragraph (u):
925.01. – Public nuisances.
Subd. 4. Public nuisances affecting peace and safety. The following are declared to be
nuisances affecting peace and safety:
. . .
(u) Temporary outdoor portable storage containers that do not comply with the standards
and requirements as set forth in subsection 1135.18.
Section 4. This ordinance will be effective in accordance with Section 3.09 of the City
Charter.
Adopted by the City of Richfield this 9th day of September, 2025.
VOTING AYE VOTING NAY
Supple, Mary Supple, Mary
Burk, Walter Burk, Walter
Christensen, Sharon Christensen, Sharon
Coleman-Woods, Rori Coleman-Woods, Rori
Hayford Oleary, Sean Hayford Oleary, Sean
Mary B. Supple, Mayor
ATTEST:
Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk
RESOLUTION NO. 12337
RESOLUTION APPROVING SUMMARY PUBLICATION
OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONs 1135 and 925 OF THE CITY CODE
WHEREAS, the City has adopted the above-referenced amendment of the
Richfield City Code; and
WHEREAS, the verbatim text of the amendment is cumbersome, and the
expense of publication of the complete text is not justified.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Richfield that the following summary is hereby approved for official publication:
SUMMARY PUBLICATION
BILL NO. 2025-07
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 1135 and 925 OF THE CITY CODE
This summary of the ordinance is published pursuant to Section 3.12 of the
Richfield City Charter.
This ordinance amends City Code Sections 1135 and 925 to include a new
provision relating to temporary outdoor portable storage containers and adding that a
violation of Section 925.01 Subd. (u) is nuisance conduct.
Copies of the ordinance are available for public inspection in the City Clerk’s
office during normal business hours or upon request by calling the Support Services
Manager at 612-861-9881.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Richfield, Minnesota this th day of ,
2025.
Mary Supple, Mayor
ATTEST:
Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk