Texarkana, AR, Passes Ordinance Against People Living in Self-Storage Units

The Texarkana, Arkansas, Board of Directors passed an ordinance this week to outlaw the practice of living in self-storage units, sheds or warehouses on commercial or personal property. The state’s building code prohibits a leased space at a self-service storage facility from being used for residential purposes. The resolution amends the city code to prohibit “living, either permanently or temporarily in any structure designed primarily for the storage of personal property to include but not limited to, personal belongings, vehicles, equipment or goods for sale,” according to the source.

The ordinance provides more direction on how to address code violations, according to city planner Jamie Finley, who introduced the measure. The decision was supported by the planning commission.

“Over the past few months, code enforcement has received several calls from both private citizens and the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department concerning citizens living in storage facilities or structures. This practice is both unsafe and unhealthy and is a detriment to surrounding property,” according to a memo from Finley to then-acting city manager Tyler Richards.

Prior to the vote, Finely and Roger Douglas, city building officer, reiterated their stance. “Our biggest deal is it's an unsanitary condition,” Douglas said.  Finely also noted that with winter coming, there’s a risk of fire as people attempt to stay warm in these types of structures.

During the public hearing, resident Rachel Burnett pleaded with officials to not pass the ordinance. “Find it in your hearts not to take away options from people living in the city,” said Burnett, who lived in a storage shed on her grandparent’s property when she was 18. 

She also argued the ordinance would be governmental overreach. “I don't feel like it's your right as the government to tell me that my cousin can't stay in a shed out back when he's hard down on his luck,” Burnett said. "That doesn't feel like my values that it is someone else's place to tell me how I live.”

Richards noted that even without a specific ordinance, municipal code restricts where people can live. “It is already illegal to live in storage units. The reason we're doing this is that we don't have anything in our specific ordinances that addresses it,” he said.

Sources:
Texarkana Gazette, Ordinance Prohibiting Living in Storage Units Brings Intense Discussion at Texarkana, Arkansas, City Meeting
KTBS, Texarkana Board Votes on Ordinance Against People Living in Storage Sheds