[Code 1979, § 5.272]
As used in this article the terms "house trailer" and "mobile
home" shall be used interchangeably and shall mean a movable or portable
dwelling constructed to be towed on its own chassis and designed for
permanent yearround living as a single-family dwelling. The term "house
trailer" or "mobile home" shall not include motor homes, recreational
vehicles (whether licensed or not as a motor vehicle), or other transportable
structures designed for temporary use which are not designed primarily
for a permanent residence and connection to sanitary sewage, electrical
power and potable water utilities.
[Code 1979, § 5.271]
While house trailers and mobile homes offer an alternative to
conventional single-family housing in such areas as structural design,
facility arrangement and cost, they can have potential adverse impacts
on a residential neighborhood because of marked differences from single-family
housing in design, placement, structure and site size, and fire and
wind resistance. Generally, mobile homes have been restricted to locations
within mobile home parks, positioned at areas specifically zoned for
them, in order to ensure compatibility with nearby residential uses.
However, through the application of certain standards, mobile homes
and mobile home sites may be designed to more closely resemble nearby
conventional housing and be permitted outside of mobile home parks
and within residential zoning districts. This article presents specific
conditions and standards whereby mobile homes and house trailers may
be located outside of mobile home parks.
[Code 1979, § 5.273]
Mobile homes may be located outside of mobile home parks provided
that they are located in zoning districts that permit them. The premises
upon which they shall be located shall meet all requirements of the
City ordinances relating to the uses, size of premises, floor area,
setback, side lot and rear lot requirements specified for the particular
zoning district in which the premises is situated.
[Code 1979, § 5.274]
To ensure compatibility in appearance with single-family housing
in the neighborhood, a mobile home shall meet the following design
requirements:
(1) Roof: must be pitched, minimum 3:12 slope, and shingled,
with a minimum roof overhang of six inches on all sides. The roof
must be permanently attached to the mobile home and supported by the
mobile home, rather than by external supports. Additions and accessory
buildings may have flat roofs, but unattached accessory buildings
must satisfy the same roof requirements as the mobile home.
(2) Exterior walls: must be covered with a siding material
which is in color, texture, malleability, directional joints, and
methods of fastening to the structure comparable to siding of homes
typically found in the neighborhood in which it is located.
(3) Eave troughs: must be provided where appropriate.
(4) Ceiling height: minimum seven feet, six inches for
all rooms.
(5) Doors: The mobile home shall have two doors located
where they may provide alternate emergency exit routes for the maximum
feasible portion of the residential unit. The dwelling shall have
front and rear or front and side exterior doors if such a combination
of doors is found in a majority of homes in the neighborhood in which
it is located.
(6) Windows: must be similar in design to single-family
housing, with glass recessed at least 1 1/2 inches behind the
exterior surface of its siding.
(7) Steps: must be permanently attached on a frost-depth
foundation similar to single-family housing requirements, and connected
to the exterior door areas or to porches connected to the door areas
where a difference in elevation requires them.
(8) Garage: A one car garage or a two car garage must be
built if such a garage is found in the majority of the homes in the
zoning district in which it is located.
(9) Mechanical equipment: All mechanical equipment except
for room air conditioners and television antennas shall be concealed
from view from public rights-of-way. It shall not have any exposed
towing mechanism or undercarriage.
[Code 1979, § 5.275]
In the first instance, it shall be the responsibility of the building inspector to determine whether the design and appearance of a mobile home is aesthetically comparable to homes in the zoning district. The building inspector may, in his discretion, refer the matter to the Board of Appeals for the determination. Any party aggrieved by the adverse decision by the building inspector may appeal to the Board of Appeals, which board shall make a determination based upon its independent judgment without reference to the standards for the granting of variances. The standards set forth in §
46-33 shall be applied in making this determination.