[1965 Code, sec. 321; 1969 Code, sec. 379. P.L.L., 1965,
ch. 851; 1982, ch. 833]
A. Definitions.
[1995, ch. 417]
(1) As used in this chapter, the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) "Park" means trailer coach park.
(3) "Person" means any natural individual, firm, trust, partnership,
association, or corporation.
(4) "Trailer coach" means any vehicle or similar portable structure having
no foundation other than wheels, jacks, or skirting and so designed
or constructed as to permit occupancy for dwelling or sleeping purposes.
(5) "Trailer coach park" means any plot of ground upon which any trailer
coach occupied for dwelling or sleeping purposes is located, regardless
of whether or not a charge is made for such an accommodation.
(6) "Trailer coach space" means a plot of ground within a trailer coach
park designed for the accommodation of one trailer coach.
B. Licensing requirements.
(1) License required. It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain
or operate within Charles County any trailer coach park unless such
person shall first obtain a license therefor. All trailer coach parks
in existence upon June 1, 1965, shall, within 90 days thereafter,
obtain such license and in all other respects comply fully with the
requirements of this chapter.
(2) Application requirements; approval.
(a)
Contents of application. Applications for a trailer coach park
license shall be filed with and issued by the Board of County Commissioners,
showing:
[1]
The name and address of the applicant.
[2]
The location and legal description of the trailer coach park.
[3]
A plot plan, drawn to scale, showing the complete layout of
said park, including the location of every trailer lot, accessory
building or other building or structure, as well as driveways, automobile
parking spaces, water and sanitary facilities and surface drainage.
[4]
Plans and specifications of all buildings and other improvements
constructed or to be constructed within the trailer coach park, including
plans and specifications of water supply and distribution and sanitary
facilities.
[5]
Such further information as may be required by the Board of
County Commissioners to enable it to determine if the proposed park
will comply with legal requirements.
(b)
Inspection and recommendation from other agencies; approval
and issuance of license. The Board of County Commissioners shall require
the Charles County Sanitary District to inspect the site, review the
plans and specifications and submit recommendations to the Board of
County Commissioners as to approval, disapproval or revisions necessary
for the plans and specifications to comply with all provisions of
this chapter and all other applicable ordinances or statutes. If the
provisions of this chapter have been complied with and if the applicant
is found to be of good moral character and if the Board of County
Commissioners shall have determined that the granting of the application
is not detrimental to the public welfare or safety of persons or property
because of pertinent conditions in regard to public roads, schools,
churches, public utilities and household services, use of adjacent
territory for residential, agricultural or other purposes and maintenance
of peace and good order, the Board of County Commissioners shall approve
the application and shall issue the license.
(3) License transfers. The fee for the transfer of a license shall be
$5 and shall be transmitted to the County Commissioners before the
transfer of the license is effective. In addition, no transfer of
license shall be effective until all the taxes owed by the transferor
have been paid to the County. No transfer shall be permitted to a
person who is not of good moral character.
C. Occupancy tax. An occupancy tax shall be paid for each occupied trailer
space.
[1991, ch. 248]
(1) The tax shall be $15 per month.
[1995, ch. 417]
(2) The occupancy tax shall be prorated for any period of occupancy of
less than one month.
(3) If the owner of any trailer subject to the occupancy tax of this
subsection is eligible and applies for property tax relief as an elderly
or disabled renter pursuant to § 9-102 of the Tax - Property
Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the tax shall be $5 per
month.
(4) The tax shall be applicable to all trailers in any trailer coach
park and any trailer located on rented property. The owner of the
trailer coach park or the owner of the land shall collect the tax
monthly and shall remit it to the County Commissioners not later than
the 20th day of the following month.
D. Requirements for trailer coach parks. Every trailer coach park shall
conform to the following requirements:
(1) Every trailer lot shall have frontage on a well-drained and graded
driveway not less than 20 feet in width, said driveway to be maintained
in a passable condition at all times.
(2) All of the land in any trailer park shall be well-drained and free
from standing or casual water.
(3) The ingress and egress to any trailer park shall be so designed as
to avoid traffic hazards.
(4) Driveways shall be continuous or provided with a turnaround whose
inner radius is not less than 40 feet.
(5) An electrical outlet supply of at least 110 volts shall be provided
for each trailer coach space.
(6) Every trailer park shall provide such water, service and sanitary
facilities as may be required by the Charles County Sanitary District.
E. Maintenance of grounds and service buildings. All service buildings
and the grounds of any trailer park shall be maintained in a clean,
sightly condition and kept free from any condition that will menace
the health of any occupant or the public or constitute a nuisance.
F. Use and occupancy limitations for trailer coaches; exception. It
shall be unlawful for any person to maintain or use any trailer coach
which is occupied for dwelling or sleeping purposes at any place within
Charles County for a period of more than 10 days in any month, except
in a duly licensed trailer park or upon obtaining written permission
from the Board of County Commissioners following inspection and approval
by the Charles County Sanitary District.
G. Maintenance and preservation of park register.
(1) It shall be the duty of every licensee to keep a register containing
a record of all trailer coach owners and occupants located within
a park. The register shall contain the following information:
(a)
The name and address of each occupant.
(b)
The make, model and year of all automobiles and trailer coaches.
(c)
The license number and owner of each trailer coach and automobile
by which it is towed.
(d)
The state issuing such license.
(e)
The date of arrival and of departure of each trailer coach.
(2) The licensee shall keep the register available for inspection at
all times by law enforcement officers, public health officials and
other officials whose duties necessitate acquisition of the information
contained in the register. The register records shall not be destroyed
for a period of three years following the time of registration.
H. Revocation of license; reissuance. The Board of County Commissioners
may revoke any license to maintain and operate a park when the licensee
has been found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction of violating
any provision of this chapter. After such conviction, the license
may be reissued if the circumstances leading to conviction have been
remedied and the park is operated and maintained in full compliance
with the law.
I. Conspicuous posting of license required. The license certificate
shall be conspicuously posted in the office of or on the premises
of the trailer coach park at all times.
J. Severability. Should any section or provision of this chapter be
declared invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions of this chapter.
K. Violations and penalties. Any person violating this chapter shall
be fined not less than $25 nor more than $300 for each offense. Each
day that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate
offense.