OREM — The big storage boxes showing up around the county are not welcome in Orem neighborhoods.

Orem's City Council decided last week to restrict the containers, which have gained popularity for long-term, efficient commercial storage, as a permanent feature or accessory-building option in neighborhoods that have little or few businesses.

"There is an increase in the number of businesses that sell or rent the shipping containers to use for storage," said David Stroud, a city planner, "and the city code needs to address the legal use of this type of structure."

Stanford Sainsbury, Orem's development services director, said it's a good idea to have a law in place before the units proliferate. He's been telling people they are not permitted. The newly approved ordinance would simply reinforce the existing policy.

"I think we have noticed there is an increased use of these," said Mayor Jerry Washburn. "They tend to become very permanent yet they are not regulated."

The mayor said Orem is not talking about regulating commercial storage or trash Dumpsters or construction trailers, just those on residential lots and those in place for more than a few weeks.

Councilman Les Campbell said he has looked at purchasing or leasing one of the boxes for storage but understands it would probably not be fair to his neighbors to put one in his yard.

He also said people may end up living in them during certain seasons.

City Manager Jim Reams said people have other options such as permanent storage units on a fixed site or wooden sheds and garages.

Derk Rostal, manager of the Salt Lake branch of Mobile Mini, said a lot of Utah County residents lease or look into buying mobile storage units for a variety of uses.

"It's a perfect option for temporary storage," he said.

Rostal said sales are "really on fire" as people discover mobile storage — not just in Utah but nationwide. He's also aware that some cities like Orem are worried.

"What some cities are restricting is anything over 20 feet in length," he said.

The all-steel, watertight units can be leased in sizes cut from train boxcars or purchased in a custom-made size. Mobile Mini paints the box a cream color, installs doors and puts on a triple lock system.

The 10-by-18-foot or 10-by-25-foot units are popular, Rostal said. They cost about $115 per month to rent, plus delivery and pickup fees of $78.

People can use them for temporary storage when they're moving and eliminate duplicate moves between a storage business and their home. They're handy during a remodel, he said.

Some use them for storing a boat. Others use them as an extra garage.

Businesses can lease units designed with shelving and partitions and set up to serve as an extended office space.

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