Jackson Code of Ordinances § 30-151 Title.
Sec. 30-151. - Title.
This article, Sections 30-151 through 30-156, shall be known as the "Outdoor Storage Yard Ordinance" for the City of Jackson, Mississippi.
(Ord. No. 2006-73(5), § 1, 10-17-06)
OUTDOOR STORAGE YARDS
Jackson Code of Ordinances ch. 30, art. IV
in effectJackson Code of Ordinances § 30-152 Definitions.
Sec. 30-152. - Definitions.
As used in this article, the terms below shall have the following definitions:
"Building official" is the official in charge of the office of code services. The building official shall be responsible for enforcement of this article.
"Earthen berm" is a mound or wall of earth that is molded into landform. When berms are used for screening, the berms shall be constructed such that soil erosion is prevented and sight triangles are unobstructed. The surface of the berms shall be completely covered with plant materials or durable mulch so that the base soil is not visible. Allowance for soil settlement shall be calculated at ten percent after the berms are compacted.
"Evergreen" is of, or referring to, a plant which tends to retain its leaves all year round.
"Fence" is a physical barrier of approved material erected to enclose or screen areas of land to prevent escape or intrusion, or to mark a boundary.
"Outdoor storage" is any material, vehicle, or equipment that has been used, discarded, damaged, or partially dismantled and is stored or held outside as inventory for future sale, processing, or use. Such articles shall include, but not be limited to, appliances, automobiles or automobile parts, barrels, boxes, building materials, buildings or portions of buildings, clothing, crates, fixtures, furniture, lumber, machinery, metal, motors, pallets, paper, pipe or pipe fittings, or tires.
"Outdoor storage yard" is any parcel, or part of land, not within a building, upon which outdoor storage is bought, sold, processed, stored, exchanged, baled, or packaged.
(Ord. No. 2006-73(5), § 2, 10-17-06)
Jackson Code of Ordinances § 30-153 Fencing of outdoor storage yards.
Sec. 30-153. - Fencing of outdoor storage yards.
(a) Every outdoor storage yard shall have an approved fence installed and maintained which will provide a screen to obscure the view of such storage yard from the public. Fences as required by this subsection shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) Fences shall be sheathed with boards, slats, metal, earthen berms, natural evergreen shrubs or trees which can be expected to reach ten feet within three years of planting, or other approved materials, securely nailed or attached to supports, which will provide an effective visual and aesthetic screen. Transparent or translucent sheathing materials shall not be permitted. A building permit shall be obtained prior to erection of a fence, and any earthen berm or vegetation utilized for screening shall be properly manicured and maintained, as well as reviewed and approved by the city landscape architect, or his designee.
(2) Fences shall be ten feet high and shall enclose the entire outdoor storage yard. A fence shall be located along any public right-of-way. Further, a fence shall be placed adjacent to the lot line where an outdoor storage yard abuts any property zoned C-2, C-1, C-1A, residential, special use, or TIP. However, fences along public rights-of-way shall be located behind any required landscape area.
(3) A building permit shall be obtained from the building official prior to construction. Written plans and specifications must be submitted at the time of permit application.
(4) In no case shall auto parts be used to meet the fencing requirements contained herein. The use of used or salvage materials shall be prohibited unless specifically noted on plans and approved by the building official.
(5) Sheathing materials, posts, rails or any other fencing construction materials shall be naturally weather resistant or shall be painted or finished to resist decay or rust. Fences shall be maintained by repair, painting, or replacement as necessary to maintain stability, screening and weather resistance and decay resistance.
(6) The provisions of this section shall apply equally to new and existing fences, and such fences shall not be deemed to be in compliance with this section until inspected and approved by the building official or his designee.
(7) The minimum acceptable vision clearance standards for motorists and pedestrian safety vehicular access points along streets are established by restricting the placement and configuration of any fence or other obstruction so as to substantially impair or block the vision between a height of two and one-half and ten feet above the driveway grade within "clear vision triangles"; two, ten-foot, right-angle triangles with legs formed by the intersection of a driveway pavement edge and street right-of-way line.
(b) Gates, normally used for access to an outdoor storage yard, shall be locking gates and shall provide a solid screen.
(c) Buildings that are used for normal operation of the business, such as storage, sales or office buildings, may not be required to be fenced; however, materials may not be stored in front of or to the side of such buildings as to be open to public view, except that the incidental outdoor display of commodities for retail sale may be permitted when approved in writing by the building official.
(d) A vehicle display area of a motor vehicle salvage yard may not be required to be fenced if such area is used for the display of vehicles that are not disassembled, may be titled, and are held for resale. Such a vehicle display area shall not be used for the display of other used or salvage materials, merchandise or parts whatsoever.
(e) Areas of land used for the outdoor storage or display of materials or vehicles incidental to the principal activity of a business shall not be required to comply with the provisions of this section if such area is included as one of the following uses:
(1) New or used automobile and related vehicle sales lots (authorized by a Mississippi motor vehicle dealer license).
(2) Storage yards incidental to the on-site sale of a new building materials, new heavy machinery, new farm equipment, new nursery products, new mobile homes, new boats or new trailers.
(3) Storage yards for supplies and/or raw materials necessary to the on-site manufacturing, fabrication or assembly of finished products.
(4) Contractors' storage or equipment yards.
(5) Parking areas for vehicles and trailers incidental to rental businesses.
(6) Parking areas for vehicles incidental to transportation and hauling activities of commercial businesses and governmental entities.
(7) Parking areas for vehicles awaiting service at auto repair or auto body shops; however, vehicles awaiting service shall not be stored for more than 180 consecutive calendar days.
(f) Any exemption referenced in subsection (c) through (e) shall not be construed as authority to violate or set aside any other requirement of this article.
(Ord. No. 2006-73(5), § 3, 10-17-06)
Jackson Code of Ordinances § 30-154 Storage on public right-of-way prohibited.
Sec. 30-154. - Storage on public right-of-way prohibited.
No storage material shall be kept or stored upon a public right-of-way.
(Ord. No. 2006-73(5), § 4, 10-17-06)
Jackson Code of Ordinances § 30-155 Penalty for violation.
Sec. 30-155. - Penalty for violation.
Any person, firm, association of persons, company or corporation, and the agents, servants or employees of the aforesaid, who operate an outdoor storage yard in violation of this article, shall, upon conviction of such violation, be punished by a fine not exceeding $1,000.00. Each violation shall constitute a separate offense, and each day that the violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ord. No. 2006-73(5), § 5, 10-17-06)
Jackson Code of Ordinances § 30-156 Variances.
Sec. 30-156. - Variances.
Where there are unusual circumstances peculiar to the site and where a literal application or specific provisions of this article would result in undue hardship to the owners or other interested parties, a variance from specific provisions of this article may be requested.
The application requesting a variance from the requirements of the article shall include a description of the property, the exact nature of the proposed variance, and the grounds upon which it is requested. The applicant shall further demonstrate that the granting of such variance will not adversely affect the surrounding properties nor be otherwise detrimental to the public welfare.
The application shall be filed with the building official, and upon receiving all required information, the building official shall make a recommendation to the construction board of adjustment and appeals ("board") for their consideration. Within ten working days after the board's receipt of a recommendation by the building official, the board shall meet to consider said request.
Within ten working days after the board's meeting, the board shall grant or deny said variance in whole or in part. If the board fails to take action on the request for a variance within the time specified, then such inaction shall be deemed to grant the variance.
Any party aggrieved by a decision of the board shall be entitled to appeal any such decision to the city council provided the procedures herein are followed:
(1) A written notice of appeal shall be given to the building official within 15 days from the date of such decision by the board.
(2) Upon receipt of a notice of appeal, the building official shall forward to the city council the decision of the board and all relevant documents and exhibits.
(3) Within 60 days after the date of such decision by the board, the city council shall either approve or deny, in whole or in part, the decision of the board or where there is need for additional information, remand the decision to the board for further consideration.
An appeal from the decision of the city council may be made as provided by law for appeals from any order of governing authorities of a municipality.
(Ord. No. 2006-73(5), § 6, 10-17-06)
Source: City of Jackson, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/jackson/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH30BU_ARTIVOUSTYAFetched: 11/1/2026