§ 9.124.040. Mobile homes.

(a)

Intent. The intent of this section is to permit mobile home housing to be used for family residences in established residential neighborhoods, provided that such mobile homes are installed and designed to be compatible with the existing neighborhoods and to provide permanent housing.

(b)

Mobile home on individual private lot permit.

(1)

A mobile home, under certain conditions, may be placed on a foundation system on a private lot wherever single-family dwellings are permitted.

(2)

A mobile home on a foundation system is permitted on a private lot only upon issuance of a permit by the City. An appropriate fee for the permit will be charged.

(3)

Applications for a mobile home permit shall include the following:

a.

Copies of a plot plan. The plot plan shall show existing structures on lot, proposed mobile home placement, all proposed accessory structures, all existing trees over four inches in diameter (indicate if any are to be removed), all driveways, parking areas and permanent paths, proposed landscaping and irrigation.

b.

Photographs showing all four sides of the mobile homes and drawing indicating any proposed elevation changes.

c.

Mobile home manufacturer's name, model name/number, age of unit, length and width, roof pitch, roofing materials, width of eave overhang, type of siding.

d.

Plans and specifications for foundation systems.

e.

Utility plan.

(c)

Eligibility and design criteria.

(1)

A mobile home shall not be eligible unless it is certified under the National Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 USC 5401 et seq.) on a foundation system, pursuant to Health and Safety Code § 18551 on lots zoned for single-family dwellings.

(2)

Criteria. The mobile home shall:

a.

Be occupied only for residential purposes.

b.

Be subject to all provisions of this Code applicable to residential structures in the same zone.

c.

Be attached to a permanent foundation system in compliance with all applicable building regulations.

d.

Have a minimum square footage as required by this title.

e.

Be covered with an exterior material customarily used on conventional dwellings and approved by the Planning Commission. The exterior covering material shall extend to the ground, except that when a solid concrete or masonry perimeter foundation is used, the exterior covering material need not extend below the top of the foundation.

f.

Have a roof with a pitch of not less than 2½ inches vertical rise for each 12 inches of horizontal run and consisting of shingles or other material customarily used for conventional dwellings and approved by the Planning Commission.

g.

Be required to have porches and eaves, or roofs with eaves or garage, when, in the opinion of the Planning Commission, it is necessary to make it compatible with the dwellings in the area.

h.

Be subject to architectural review as provided for all development within the City.

(d)

Construction permit requirements. The applicant shall:

(1)

Obtain a grading permit (required if more than 200 cubic yards of earth will be moved or if a cut or fill depth exceeds three feet). Any fill over a foot in depth will be required to be compacted to a minimum of 90 percent. Rough grading approval must be obtained and compaction reports submitted before the site construction permit can be issued.

(2)

Make application for approval of a septic tank permit from the Health Department if the property will not be served by a public sewer. (A percolation test by a registered civil engineer is required.)

(3)

If the property is in school districts which require collection of school fees at issuance of the construction permit, have the school district complete form DPL #406, Certification of Compliance with School Facilities, and return it to the Office of the City Manager.

(4)

Comply with all the requirements of Health and Safety Code § 18551(a).

(5)

Obtain plan approval of the foundation system.

(e)

Foundation system.

(1)

Foundation system definition. A foundation system is an assembly of materials constructed below or partly above grade, not intended to be removed from its installation site, which is designed to support the structure and engineered to resist the imposition of external natural forces.

(2)

All mobile home foundation systems shall be designed in accordance with the provisions of the City building code and this Code, and local soil conditions. Design conditions for roof, wind and seismic loads applicable to permanent building foundations shall be applicable to the mobile home foundation systems.

(3)

The mobile home shall be installed in accordance with installation instructions provided by:

a.

The manufacturer of the mobile home; or

b.

A State-licensed architect or engineer, for an individual mobile home where manufacturer's instructions are not available.

(4)

Both the foundation system and connection of the mobile home to the foundation system shall be capable of withstanding the design loads and concentrated loads identified in the installation instructions.

(5)

A foundation system plan shall be provided in addition to the installation instructions. The foundation system plan may be:

a.

Provided by the mobile home manufacturer either as a part of, or separate from, the installation instructions.

b.

Provided by the installation contractor.

(f)

Utility connections. The mobile home electrical, gas, water and drain connections shall be made permanent in a manner applicable to permanent residential buildings. Gas shut-off valves, meters and regulators shall not be located beneath the mobile home.

(g)

Surrender of registration.

(1)

Prior to occupancy, the owner shall request from the Building Department that a certificate of occupancy be issued pursuant to Health and Safety Code § 18551(a)(2). Thereafter, for an existing mobile home, any vehicle license plate, certificate of ownership and certificate of registration issued by the State agency shall be surrendered to the appropriate State agencies via the Building Department.

(2)

Where the mobile home is new and never has been registered with the DMV, a statement to that effect from the dealer selling the mobile home shall be submitted to the City.

(3)

Mobile homes placed on permanent foundations in compliance with all regulations become exempt from vehicle license fees and become subject to property tax laws. Such mobile homes become eligible for exemptions.

(h)

Appeal. The decision and/or conditions of the Building Official may be appealed in writing within ten days of the decision to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission may concur, override or modify the action of the Building Official. Any action of the Planning Commission may be appealed in writing to the City Council within ten days of the Planning Commission decision.

(Ord. No. 297, § 9.06.100.040, 3-20-2007)

State law reference

Manufactured Housing Act of 1980, Health and Safety Code § 18000 et seq.