a bit OT: zoning laws - outside storage

Never heard of it in my area. Are you sure it is a zoning law or a HOA requirement? Some HOA's won't let you fart outside.

True here. Inoperable automobiles prohibited, and have to have tags to be operable. Our code is pretty specific and extends to prohibiting construction material unless there is an active building permit in force.

Also, check with your Home Owners Insurance policy/company. Usually they insure "appurtenant structures" for 10% of your home value even if you don't have any. After building a shed, you will have and appurtenance so will it be insured?

Or, you could say "Screw the Nazis" and move to Houston. We have no zoning.

Several years ago, Shell oil bought a corner lot in a VERY upscale neighborhood and announced plans to build a gas station on the property. Several of the neighbors, John Connaly, Hugh Liedke (CEO of Pennzoil), Michael DeBakey, and others returned their Shell credit cards along with impassioned letters containing words such as "disembowel" and "cut off your lips."

Shell donated the corner lot to the city as a "pocket park."

All was well.

Use your own judgement. If it's out-of-site (mainly from the street, but preferably from the neighbors perspective as well) nobody will care. Things that typically stay outside (hoses, outdoor furniture, etc) nobody's going to complain about unless it's an eyesore. Lawn mowers, a bit of a gray area. Probably depends on where you keep it (if it's parked in the front yard all the time, I'd be annoyed as your neighbor).

Firewood, neatly stacked, is also typically stored outdoors.

Again, since these things aren't typicaly "outdoor items" that is probably a problem, if your community enforces such things.

-Tim

The zoning laws within fifteen miles of my area vary so widely you wouldn't know they're in the same country, much less same state and county.

If there's wiggle room in the interpretation of zoning laws it's either put their on purpose or due to incompetence. Your local zoning official is the only one that can give you a meaningful specific answer.