Temporary Uses

Building Permit

The following temporary uses are allowed upon obtaining a temporary use from the Planning and Development Department (unless otherwise noted). There are no permit fees for any temporary use, with the exception of the seasonal sales use where a $250 permit fee is required. This is also found in Article 3, Division 21 Temporary Uses of the city’s Community Development Code.

Block and Neighborhood Parties

  • Allowed in all residential zoning districts.
  • 2 days per calendar year.
  • May be subject to review by the special events committee.

Circuses or Carnivals

  • Allowed in Commercial (C), Industrial, Research and Technology (IRT) and the Institutional (I) District.
  • 14 days per property, per calendar year.

Contractors Offices / Construction Sheds

  • Temporary contractor offices and construction sheds are allowed in all zoning districts when associated with a valid, active building permit. They may remain only while the building permit is active.
  • A portable storage unit may qualify as a construction shed when it is located on the property covered by the building permit and used only to store tools, equipment, and materials directly related to the permitted construction. The property owner or contractor must certify that the unit will be used only for this purpose.
  • A portable storage unit used for furniture, household goods, personal belongings, general storage, or a combination of construction-related and household storage does not qualify as a construction shed. It is regulated as a portable storage unit under Community Development Code Section 3-2103.H and is subject to the applicable frequency, duration, size, location, and other requirements. See the Portable Storage Units section below for those requirements.

Evangelical and Religious Revivals or Assemblies

  • Allowed in the Commercial (C), Downtown (D), Tourist (T), Institutional (I) and the Industrial, Research and Technology Districts (IRT) Districts.
  • 7 days per property, per calendar year.

Garage, Yard or Estate Sales

  • Allowed in all residential zoning districts.
  • Twice per property, per calendar year, but for no longer than 3 days per occurrence.
  • Occurrences may not be consecutive.
  • Provided all standards are met, a permit is not required.

Outdoor Automobile, Boat and Recreational Vehicle Shows

  • Allowed in Commercial (C) District.
  • At least 75 contiguous acres.
  • 4 times per property, per calendar year, but for no longer than 7 days per occurrence.
  • The sale of products displayed at the show is permitted with applicable Business Tax receipt.

Outdoor Bazaars, Cookouts, Special Fund-Raising Events

  • Allowed in the Commercial (C), Downtown (D) and Institutional (I) Districts.
  • Two days per property, per calendar year.

Portable Storage Units

  • Allowed in all residential zoning districts 4 times per property, per calendar year, but for no longer than 4 days each.
  • All nonresidential zoning districts for the duration of an active building construction permit, or 4 times per property, per calendar year, but for no longer than 30 days each.
  • Occurrences may not be consecutive.
  • Provided all standards are met, a permit is not required in residential zoning districts.
  • Units not exceeding 8’ in height, 8’ in width, and 16’ in length may be permitted provided they comply with the following:
    • One unit may be located on any lot occupied by a detached dwelling. The Community Development Coordinator will determine the number of permitted units for all other uses.
    • May be located in a required setback.
    • Shall not impair a motor vehicle operator's view of motor vehicles, bicycles or pedestrians.
    • Shall not obstruct the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
    • Two signs, no more than 12 square feet in area each, may be located on parallel sides of the unit.
    • A sticker shall be affixed to the units indicating the date the unit was delivered.
    • Any unit not removed at the end of the time for which it may lawfully remain in place, or immediately upon the direction of a code enforcement officer for safety reasons, may be removed immediately by the City, without notice, and the cost of such removal, along with administrative costs, may be assessed against the property on which the structure was located and may be filed as a lien against such property.
    • Units may be located on a property within a residential zoning district for a longer period of time than otherwise specified, but only in emergency situations approved by the Community Development Coordinator. The Community Development Coordinator may allow 15 days for a unit to be located on such a property and may allow an additional 15 days to complete emergency repairs.

Seasonal Sales (Christmas Trees, Pumpkins, Other Seasonal Holiday Items)

  • Allowed in all nonresidential zoning districts.
  • 45 days per property, per calendar year.
  • A 1,000-foot separation is required between a seasonal business and any permanent business that primarily sells the same product. The 1,000 feet shall be measured from property line to property line.
  • Only items traditionally associated with the particular season, including plant materials and fireworks, are allowed to be sold. General merchandise not associated with the seasonal sale such as toys, tools, clothing, etc. are prohibited from being sold.

Sidewalk Sales in Conjunction with a Special Event

  • Allowed in the Tourist (T) and Downtown (D) Districts.
  • 7 days per property, per calendar year.

Temporary Commercial Parking Lots

  • Allowed in all zoning districts.
  • Only in conjunction with another approved temporary use or an approved special event.
  • Only for that time the temporary use or special event the parking will serve is authorized.

Temporary Recreational or Entertainment Events

  • Allowed in all nonresidential zoning districts.
  • 7 days per property, per calendar year.

Temporary Relocation Tents or Mobile Homes for Displaced Persons

  • Allowed in all zoning districts.
  • Maximum of 18 months unless a greater time is authorized by resolution of the city council.
  • Upon determination by the city council that a particular neighborhood or area constitutes a disaster area, nonpermanent facilities for displaces shall be allowed provided they meet the following requirements:
  • All residential tents or mobile homes shall have facilities connected to city utilities for water and sanitary sewer, unless such services are not reasonably available.
  • Adequate provisions shall be made for solid waste management in compliance with city ordinances and policies, unless such services are not reasonably available.

Temporary Real Estate Sales Office or Model Home

  • Allowed within all zoning districts.
  • Maximum of 24 months per development.
  • The office or required accessory uses shall not be equipped or used as a dwelling.

Temporary Retail Sales and Displays

  • Allowed the Commercial (C), Tourist (T) and Downtown (D) Districts.
  • Allowable four times per property, per calendar year, but for no longer than seven days per occurrence.
  • Individual occurrences may not be consecutive, and must be separated by at least one day.

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