Having a shipping container in your backyard is ideal for a lot of things. It can be used for a project, it can be used as a storage facility, and it can even be used as a small living space. You probably want one, so you begin to ask, “can I have a shipping container in my yard?”
Of course, you can have a shipping container in your yard, but individuals in some countries can only enjoy this opportunity.
Having a shipping container in your yard is considered illegal in some countries, so it is important to check in with the laws of your country to confirm if this action is legal. We will be diving into owning a shipping container in your yard and answering all your questions about legalization.
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The Attraction Of Having A Shipping Container
The use of a shipping container extends far beyond storage facilities and small living space; there are many more ways to use a shipping container.
A shipping container can be used to construct a public toilet; it can be used as an office; and a business or trade center.
A shipping container is also an excellent spot for a nice party; get cozy and warm with some music and some fruit punch in your shipping container.
A shipping container can also be used for emergencies. Emergency hospitals can be made in a shipping container to attend to sick and injured individuals before seeking help at a bigger hospital. There are hotels made of shipping containers; check out this post to discover some shipping container hotels
Legality – Is It Legal To Have A Shipping Container In Your Backyard?
Before you get a shipping container for your backyard, you have to know the law of the area you reside in; it is illegal in some regions to have a shipping container on your property. Places like Portland, Oregon, and Houston are strict about having a container on your property.
Zoning laws may restrict having a shipping container in your yard. Commercial and residential are hurdled up in one zone in some regions, and a shipping container is considered an additional structure.
Building codes also apply when getting a shipping container, and in case of this, you may need to get a permit to have one in your yard.
Do I Need A Permit To Put A Shipping Container On My Property?
You should check to see if you have signed a neighborhood agreement. Signing a neighborhood agreement means agreeing to the rules made in that neighborhood, and sometimes, having a shipping container in that neighborhood goes against the rules.
You cannot have a shipping container on your property if you have signed a neighborhood agreement and if owning a container goes against the neighborhood’s rules. This may be because a shipping container is an industrial item and odd addition to a residential area.
Do You Need A Permit For A Shipping Container?
To use a shipping container on your property, you may need to obtain a permit. Some permits are easier to get, and some are harder. It all depends on the intended use of the container. Here are some factors that influence permits for shipping containers.
Using your shipping container as a storage facility
It is easier to get a permit if your container is used for storage purposes. If your container is a permanent structure on your property, you will need a permit, but you may not even need a permit if it is a temporary addition to your property.
High traffic areas
It will be challenging to obtain a permit if your container is located in an area prone to high traffic. Not only is a container an alarming sight, but it also takes up space that may be needed.
The size of your container
Some communities allow you to temporarily have a shipping container in your yard without a permit if the container does not exceed a given size.
Permit expediter
If securing a permit seems complicated or having trouble securing one, you should see a permit expedited; they will help you with all your paperwork.
The Hazards Of Having A Shipping Container In Your Backyard
The only source of air circulation in a shipping container is its door. This makes a shipping container a bad choice for a small living space because If the door is closed, no air gets in and no air gets out, causing suffocation, and leaving the door open may be dangerous.
You should buy containers straight from the manufacturers, as dealers sometimes sell used containers comprised of paints that can be harmful to the human body. It is also advisable not to put a shipping container underground as it may collapse on you due to the weight of dirt on it.
How To Get A Shipping Container
Before you purchase a container, you should know what size you need. This can be done by considering the space available in your yard, or the project is done.
You should also think about what type of container you want, some are windproof and waterproof, and others can be beaten; this also depends on what you intend to do with the container.
You can purchase shipping containers directly from the manufacturer or dealers. Dealers usually sell containers that come straight from the manufacturers or used containers; the choice on what to buy is yours.
Buying containers from the manufacturers or dealers means that it is shipped to you, but purchasing a shipping container from someone else who is not a dealer means that you have to transport it yourself.
Transporting a shipping container can be done using a toe truck, or you can pay a company to deliver it to you.
Conclusion: Can I Have a Shipping Container in My Backyard
Having a shipping container in your yard seems nice, but you may or may not have to go through many legal processes.
If the primary use of the container is to temporarily store things, then it will be easy to get a permit, and in some cases, you don’t even need a license.
Some regions are strict about having a shipping container in your yard, so it is advisable to check in with the laws of the area where you stay to endure that you don’t get into trouble. Also, be aware of how to get a shipping container and the dangers of owning one.
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We trust this article helped you understand if it is right to have a shipping container in my backyard?. You may also want to check out this: Can You Put a Chiminea on Decking?
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Can I Have a Shipping Container in My Backyard?