Wyoming limits yard storage

Wyoming has amended its zoning ordinance to restrict items stored in homeowners’ yards.

The amendment was intended to clarify the type of items that are permitted in the front, side and back yards of residential properties, Community Development Director Terry Vanderman said.

“It is my opinion and it has been my experience that a significant portion of our residents move to our community at least in part because of its overall appearance,” Vanderman said. “It’s probably also fair to say that the vast majority of our residents share and appreciate the value of well maintained and orderly properties.

“We do however, on occasion, encounter folks who don’t seem to hold those values in such high regard.”

The ordinance restricts items from porches, decks and patios, though “residentially scaled items including bird baths, fountains, lawn ornaments, landscaping including trees, bushes, shrubs, flowers and other decorative plant materials, rocks, boulders, light poles, mail boxes, temporary holiday displays, furniture and accessories manufactured for outdoor use, and other items that may be permitted” are allowed.

Side yard or back yard items including grills, fire pits and lawn furniture, as well as swimming pool equipment, landscape containers, dog houses, and several other items were also listed as permitted items.

Inoperable vehicles are prohibited and yards must be maintained and orderly.

Residents may temporarily store materials during permitted construction projects, or for a maximum of 60 days for projects that don’t require permits. They also

“The recently adopted language provides significantly more guidance that will improve our ability to administer the Code,” Vanderman said, “and allow us to better explain what conditions the community finds acceptable and those that it does not when we do encounter the occasional resident that has a different view of what is acceptable.”