Township of Springfield, PA Article VII Mobile Home Regulations

[Added 9-12-1979 by Ord. No. 688]

§ 95-27 Applicability.

A. This article shall apply to the erection or alteration of all mobile homes, whether:

(1) On an individual lot where the use is permitted;

(2) Two or more mobile homes erected on a tract of land; or

(3) Mobile homes erected in a Multiple Use Residence District mobile home park.

B. For purposes of this Article VII, a "tract of land" is defined to mean a parcel of ground, or two or more parcels of ground, on which are erected two or more mobile homes by a single person, or by two or more persons pursuant to a common plan, design or purpose.

C. In each case set forth above, the applicant must meet all requirements of the applicable zoning district and all requirements of Chapter 95 of the Code.

§ 95-28 Site design.

In addition to the requirements pertaining to mobile home parks specified in Article VIIIC of Chapter 114 of the Springfield Township Code, the following site design criteria shall apply:

A. Arrangement of structures and facilities. The tract, including mobile home stands, patios, other dwellings and structures and all tract improvements, should be organized in relation to topography, the shape of the plot and the shape, size and position of structures and common facilities. Special attention should be given to new mobile home designs and to common appurtenances that are available.

B. Adaptation to tract assets. Each mobile home unit or other dwelling or structure shall be fitted to the terrain with a minimum disturbance of the land and a minimum elevation difference between the floor level of the unit and the ground elevation under it. Existing trees and shrubs, rock formations, streams, floodplains, steep slopes and other natural features of the tract shall be preserved to the maximum extent practical. Favorable views should be emphasized by the plan.

C. Courts and spaces. Groups or cluster of units, so placed as to create interior spaces and courtyards, are encouraged to be incorporated whenever feasible.

D. Orientation. Mobile homes are encouraged to be arranged in a variety of orientations and are strongly encouraged to have many units, their long sides facing the street rather than their ends, in order to provide variety and interest.

§ 95-29 Access limitations for roadways.

Mobile home lots may have direct access only onto internal roadways. Direct access from a mobile home lot shall not be permitted onto the roadway(s) from which the mobile home park gains primary access.

§ 95-30 Lighting facilities.

Lighting facilities shall be provided as needed and arranged in a manner which will protect the mobile home park residents, neighboring properties and adjacent highways from direct glare or hazardous interference of any kind. These facilities shall be required where deemed necessary by the Township Board of Commissioners for the safety and convenience of the mobile home park residents and shall be installed, maintained and energized at no cost to the Township.

§ 95-31 Utilities.

A. Water supply. An adequate supply for domestic, auxiliary and fire-fighting uses shall be provided for all uses included in the mobile home park.

B. All electric, natural gas, telephone and any other utility lines shall be placed underground in all mobile home parks, and each shall have the necessary shutoff valves and other safety requirements normally associated with safe operation. All utility connections shall be appropriately capped for safety purposes whenever a mobile home pad is not occupied.

§ 95-32 Additional requirements.

A. Mobile home pad. A concrete pad, properly graded, placed and compacted so as to be durable and adequate for the support of the maximum anticipated loads during all seasons, shall be used for all mobile homes.

B. Anchoring. Every mobile home placed within a mobile home park shall be anchored to the mobile home pad where it is located prior to the unit being occupied or used in any other way, or the expiration of seven days after placement, whichever occurs first. The anchoring system shall be designed to resist a minimum wind velocity of 90 miles per hour.

C. Stability. All mobile homes placed within a mobile home park shall, prior to occupancy or other use, be affixed to their mobile home pad in such a way so as to prevent tilting of the unit.

D. Skirts. All mobile homes placed within a mobile home park shall, prior to occupancy or other use, have skirts installed which are designed to complement the appearance of the mobile homes. Skirts shall consist of panels specifically designed for the purpose of screening the underside of the mobile home by forming an extension of the vertical exterior walls of the mobile home and covering the entire distance between the bottom of the exterior walls and the ground elevation below.

E. Hitch. The hitch or tow bar attached to a mobile home for transport purposes shall be removed and remain removed from the mobile home when it is placed on its mobile home pad.

§ 95-33 Applicability of other regulations.

Except as modified by this article, the procedures and standards specified in the subdivision and land development regulations under Chapter 95 of the Code shall apply to all mobile home parks.