[HISTORY: Adopted by the City of Rochester 6-6-1995 as Ch. 43 of the 1995 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Zoning — See Ch. 275.
[Amended 2-3-2015]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum standards for the construction in and maintenance of mobile home parks existing (as of April 22, 2014) in the City of Rochester. The intent of this chapter is that mobile home parks existing (as of April 22, 2014) shall provide a healthful, safe, pleasant, and attractive residential atmosphere for their occupants, while at the same time being compatible with existing and anticipated future development in the surrounding areas.
This chapter is adopted by the Rochester City Council in accordance with the provisions of New Hampshire RSA 47:17.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCESSORY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
A subordinate building or structure which is an addition to or supplements the facilities provided by a mobile home, such as an awning, cabana, storage structure, carport, porch, fence, skirting, windbreak, or screened room.
BUILDING
A roofed structure erected for permanent use.
COMMON AREA
An area or space designed for joint use by residents of a mobile home park, principally for recreation purposes.
DENSITY
The number of mobile home lots per acre of gross land area in a mobile home park.
GARAGE
A building for the shelter of automotive vehicles.
GROSS LAND AREA
The total land area included within the perimeter boundaries of a mobile home park.
LIVING UNIT
A residential unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one family, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
LOT AREA
The total horizontal land area within the boundaries of a lot, exclusive of any land area designated for street purposes, and reserved for exclusive use of the occupants of a mobile home.
LOT LINE
The line identifying a lot boundary.
MANUFACTURED HOUSING
Any structure, transportable in one or more sections, which, in the traveling mode, is eight body feet or more in width and 40 body feet or more in length, or when erected on site, is 320 square feet or more, and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when connected to required utilities, which include plumbing, heating and electrical heating systems contained therein (in conformance with the definition in RSA 674:31, as amended).
[Amended 2-3-2015; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
MOBILE HOME
A form of manufactured housing which conforms with the definition of "manufactured housing" above.
MOBILE HOME LOT
A parcel of land for the placement of a mobile home and for the exclusive use of its occupants.
MOBILE HOME PARK
Any parcel of land under single or common ownership or control which contains, or is designed, laid out, or adapted to accommodate, two or more mobile homes. The term "mobile home park" shall not be construed to apply to premises used solely for storage or display of mobile homes.
MOBILE HOME SUBDIVISION
An approved subdivision of two or more lots designed to be occupied by mobile homes only and where the lots will be sold rather than rented or leased.
PARK ROAD
A private road within the boundaries of a mobile home park which is owned and maintained by the mobile home park owner, and which provides vehicular access to mobile home lots.
PERMANENT BUILDING
Any building except a mobile home or a mobile home accessory building or structure.
PUBLIC SYSTEM
A water or sewage system which is owned and operated by a local government authority or by an established public utility which is adequately controlled by a governmental authority.
STORAGE BUILDING
A building located on a mobile home lot which is designed and used solely for the storage and use of personal equipment and possessions of the occupants of the mobile home on that lot.
STREET
A public highway as defined in RSA 229:1, except a Class VI or discontinued highway, or a private road within a subdivision as platted and recorded in the Strafford County Registry of Deeds, including the full width of the right-of-way.
YARD
An unoccupied space open to the sky on a mobile home lot.
A. 
Location and access.
(1) 
Mobile home parks shall be permitted only within the area defined as an Agricultural Zone by Chapter 275, Zoning, of the City Code.
(2) 
Mobile home parks shall be located with access onto a publicly maintained Class V or better street.
(3) 
Since mobile home parks are a relatively intensive form of residential development, the soil characteristics of a site proposed for mobile home park development shall be adequate to support that development.
B. 
Density. The number of mobile home lots in a mobile home park shall not exceed 2.9 per acre of gross land area contained within the mobile home park.
C. 
Setbacks.
(1) 
The minimum distance between any mobile home and mobile home park boundary line shall be 50 feet.
(2) 
Minimum setbacks on mobile home lots shall be: front yard, 20 feet; side and rear yards, 15 feet.
(3) 
There shall be a minimum of 30 feet clearance between mobile homes on adjoining lots. No mobile home shall be located closer than 30 feet to any community building within the park.
D. 
Screening and landscaping.
(1) 
A twenty-foot buffer strip shall be maintained along all public streets and along all mobile home park boundaries which abut a residential area. No part of this buffer strip shall be included within the boundaries of individual mobile home lots or within common areas. Within this twenty-foot buffer strip, a dense visual screen of shrubs or trees shall be planted, at least four feet high at the time of planting, of a type that will form a year-round screen at least six feet high within three years. Where existing natural growth or topography can provide the required screening, it may be utilized to fulfill all or part of this requirement.
(2) 
Lawn and ground cover shall be provided where needed to prevent erosion of slopes and on other areas to obtain usable yards.
(a) 
Trees, shrubs, and vines shall be required to the extent needed to provide for:
[1] 
Screening of objectionable views;
[2] 
Adequate shade; and
[3] 
A suitable setting for mobile homes and other facilities.
(b) 
During the development of any mobile home park, that portion of said park used, occupied, and/or made available for use and occupation of mobile homes shall be subject to these standards.
E. 
Construction.
(1) 
The provisions of this chapter and of the building regulations of the City of Rochester shall apply to all construction, alterations, repairs and additions to mobile homes and structures within a mobile home park unless otherwise modified herein.
(2) 
The skirting of mobile homes is permitted to achieve better heating, but skirting shall not provide a harborage for rodents, nor create a fire hazard. Skirting, cabanas, awnings, porches, or other additions shall not be attached to a mobile home unless they are approved by the Director of Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Throughout this chapter, references to the Code Enforcement Department were amended to the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department 10-15-2013.
(3) 
All piping from outside fuel storage tanks or liquefied petroleum gas cylinders to a mobile home shall be copper or other acceptable metallic tubing mechanically connected and shall be permanently installed and securely fastened in place. All liquefied petroleum gas cylinders shall be securely fastened in place and shall not be located inside or beneath a mobile home or within five feet of a mobile home exit. Racks to hold liquefied petroleum gas cylinders shall be of a design which will prevent tipping or accidental overturning. All oil tanks shall not be located inside or beneath a mobile home. If a mobile home is provided with a full basement, fuel storage tanks may be located within the basement. All outside installed oil tanks shall have a foundation made of concrete or masonry. Tank foundations shall be designed to minimize the possibility of uneven settling of the tank and to minimize corrosion in any part of the tank resting on the foundation. Oil tanks shall be screened by adequate shrubs or fencing.
(4) 
Liquefied petroleum gas for cooking purposes shall not be used on individual mobile home lots unless the containers are properly connected. Liquefied petroleum gas cylinders shall be securely fastened in place and shall be adequately protected from the weather.
(5) 
The storage of firewood, coal, coke, other fuels and/or equipment shall be done in a manner so as not to constitute a fire hazard.
(6) 
Only one single-story storage building may be installed on any one mobile home lot. The maximum size shall not exceed 12 feet by 14 feet by 10 feet wall height. Roofs shall be either pre-finished metal, fiberglass, or shingles. The exterior shall be of a permanent building material. Plans must be approved by the Director of Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services and a building permit obtained prior to erection on the mobile home lot.
F. 
Board of Health requirements. All mobile home parks shall be located in areas free from marshes, swamps, stagnant pools, or other potential breeding places for insects or rodents.
G. 
Fire protection.
(1) 
The mobile home park area shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the City of Rochester Fire Department.
(2) 
Mobile home park areas shall be kept free of litter, residential solid waste, and other flammable materials.
[3-5-2019]
(3) 
Where a municipal water system is available to a mobile home park, standard City fire hydrants shall be spaced not more than 500 feet apart within the boundaries of the park.
[Amended 3-7-2000]
(4) 
Fires shall be made only in stoves and other equipment intended for such purposes. No open fires shall be permitted except in specified areas approved by the Rochester Fire Department.
(5) 
The City of Rochester Fire Department may take whatever additional measures for adequate fire and safety conditions as it feels are necessary for each mobile home park.
H. 
Refuse disposal.
(1) 
The storage, collection, and disposal of refuse in mobile home parks shall be managed so as to create no health hazards, rodent harborage, insect breeding areas, accident hazards, or air pollution.
(2) 
Racks or holders shall be provided for all refuse containers. Such container racks or holders shall be so designed as to prevent containers from being tipped, to minimize spillage and container deterioration, and to facilitate cleaning around them.
(3) 
All garbage and residential solid waste shall be collected at least once weekly only from a location(s) designated by the Health Officer. Mobile home park owners shall be responsible for seeing that garbage and residential solid waste are deposited at the collection location(s).
[3-5-2019]
I. 
Pets. No owner or person in charge of a dog, cat, or other pet animal shall permit it to run at large or to commit any nuisance within the limits of any mobile home park (pursuant to RSA 466:30-a).
J. 
Management.
(1) 
Any person responsible for the operation of a mobile home park shall maintain a current register of all mobile homes located within the mobile home park and their owners. Such register shall be available for inspection to/by City officials.
(2) 
Said register shall contain pertinent information to properly identify the mobile home, location, and owners of each mobile home in the mobile home park, including the dates of arrival and the dates of departure of any mobile home which has arrived or departed within the past year.
(3) 
According to the provisions of RSA 73:16-a, the owner of a mobile home park shall be responsible for filing with the City Assessor's office an inventory (description) of all mobile homes which locate in a park within 15 days of their arrival. Also under the provisions of RSA 73:16-a, the owner of a mobile home park may be held responsible for the payment of taxes due on individual mobile homes located within the park which have not been paid by their owners.
(4) 
The management of a mobile home park shall assume responsibility for maintaining in good repair all buildings, streets, walks, sanitary facilities and utilities within the park and shall take such action as is necessary to eject from the grounds any person who willfully or maliciously fails to comply with these and other applicable regulations.
[Amended 2-3-2015; 3-5-2019]
During the development of any mobile home park, that portion of said park which is used, occupied, and/or made available for use and occupation of mobile homes shall be subject to these standards, and to the applicable standards of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the Sanitary Laws and Regulations of the New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services.
A. 
Mobile home lots.
(1) 
Each mobile home lot shall contain a minimum of 10,000 square feet in area and shall have minimum frontage of 75 feet on a park road.
(2) 
No mobile home with accessory buildings, garage, structures, storage building and paved parking spaces shall occupy in excess of 35% of a mobile home lot.
B. 
Park roads.
(1) 
Mobile home park roads shall provide safe and convenient vehicular access from abutting public streets to all mobile home lots and community facilities. Driveway access to all mobile home lots shall be only from park roads, with no driveway access permitted directly from City streets.
(2) 
Roads shall be adapted to topography, shall have suitable alignment and gradient for traffic safety, and shall have a properly designed storm drainage system. Except as herein modified, the design standards for minor streets in the Agricultural Zone contained in the Rochester Subdivision Regulations shall apply to the design of mobile home park roads.
(3) 
Roads shall have a minimum right-of-way width of 40 feet and a minimum paved width of 22 feet. Roadway pavement shall be in accordance with the standards for minor streets in the Agricultural Zone contained in the Rochester Subdivision Regulations.
(4) 
Road systems shall be developed with consideration given to the reasonable movement and placement of mobile homes on individual lots.
(5) 
All mobile home parks shall be graded to ensure proper drainage. The drainage system shall take into consideration not only proper channelizing of stormwater within the mobile home park but minimization of adverse effects on surrounding property and public streets.
C. 
Parking.
(1) 
Two off-street parking spaces shall be provided for each mobile home lot. Each parking space shall be paved and graded to provide drainage away from the mobile home in conformance with the overall drainage plan for the mobile home park.
(2) 
Each off-street parking space shall have a minimum width of nine feet and a minimum length of 18 feet.
(3) 
Garages shall be permitted, provided that they are either directly attached to a mobile home or separated by a distance of at least 10 feet. Garages shall also conform to the setback provisions in § 135-4C(2).
D. 
Common area.
(1) 
At least 7% of the gross land area in a mobile home park shall be reserved as a common area for recreation and other open space purposes.
(2) 
Each mobile home park shall provide at least one common area restricted to the use and enjoyment of the residents of the park. No single common area shall contain less than 15,000 square feet. Where more than one area is provided, the areas shall be spaced and located in the mobile home park in such a manner that will provide maximum usefulness for park residents.
(3) 
All equipment contained in recreational areas within common areas shall be kept in good repair. Common areas shall be kept free of all debris.
(4) 
The land included within common areas shall be of such character that it is capable of supporting recreational use and shall not include land with poor drainage, excessive slope, or land which is subject to flooding.
(5) 
Common areas shall be separated from park roadways, City streets, and parking spaces by an adequate fence.
E. 
Water supply.
(1) 
A water supply meeting current New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services drinking water standards shall be provided to each mobile home lot in a mobile home park.
(2) 
The design and construction (including materials) of the water supply system, whether public or private, for a mobile home park shall comply with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Design Standards for Small Public Water Systems and with all requirements and regulations of the City of Rochester.
(3) 
Where a public water system exists within 200 feet of any boundary of a mobile home park, all lots within the park shall be connected to the public system, unless such connection is specifically denied by the City. Where a public water system is not available, any other source of water must be approved by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
(4) 
All water piping shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with state and local law; the water piping system shall not be connected with nonpotable or questionable water supplies.
(5) 
Individual water service connections which are provided for direct use by mobile homes shall be so constructed that they will not be damaged by the parking of mobile homes.
(6) 
A mobile home park water system shall be adequate to provide 20 pounds per square inch of pressure at all mobile home lots.
F. 
Sewage disposal.
(1) 
Where a public sewage system exists within 200 feet of any boundary of a mobile home park, all lots within the park shall be connected to the public system, unless such connection is specifically denied by the City.
(2) 
Where a public sewage system is not available, the sewage disposal system for all mobile home lots in the mobile home park shall be approved by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
(3) 
Each mobile home shall be provided with sewer connections which comply with all statutory requirements and regulations of the State of New Hampshire and appropriate agencies of the State of New Hampshire and the City of Rochester.
(4) 
The design and construction (including materials) of the sewage disposal system, whether public or private, for a mobile home park shall comply with all statutory requirements and regulations of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the City of Rochester.
G. 
Electricity.
(1) 
A secured electrical outlet supplying 220 volts shall be provided for each mobile home lot. This installation shall comply with all applicable state and local electrical codes and ordinances. Such electrical outlets shall be weatherproof.
(2) 
All power lines within a mobile home park shall be underground and shall be laid with sufficient cover to prevent damage from traffic.
H. 
Telephone system. Where telephone service to mobile home lots is provided, the distribution system shall be underground and shall be in general conformance with the placement of the electrical distribution system.
I. 
Cable television system. Where cable television service to mobile home lots is provided, the distribution system shall be underground and shall be in general conformance with the placement of the electrical system.
A. 
General provisions.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or maintain a mobile home park within the limits of the City of Rochester unless he/she holds a valid license issued by the Director of Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services in the name of such person for the specific mobile home park.
(2) 
Licenses shall be issued annually, and each license shall be in effect for a period of one year beginning January 1 of each year.
(3) 
An application for an initial mobile home park license shall be filed with the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department. The application shall be in writing, signed by the applicant, and shall include the following:
(a) 
The name and address of the person making the application.
(b) 
The location and legal description of the mobile home park.
(c) 
Plans and specifications of all improvements, buildings, streets, recreational areas, walks, sewer, water, and other facilities constructed or to be constructed within the park.
(d) 
The area and dimensions of the tract of land whereon the park is located.
(e) 
Written approval of the following City of Rochester officials indicating that the mobile home park complies with the requirements of this chapter:
[1] 
Planning Board.
[2] 
Commissioner of Public Works.
[3] 
Fire Chief.
[4] 
Health Officer.
[5] 
Police Chief.
[6] 
Zoning Administrator.
[Amended 3-5-2019]
[7] 
City Manager.
(f) 
Such further information as may be requested by the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department to enable him/her to determine if the park complies with the provisions of this chapter and all other applicable legal requirements.
(4) 
The application and five copies of all accompanying plans and specifications shall be filed with the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department; two of said copies shall be filed with the Planning Office.
B. 
Issuance of license.
(1) 
The Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department shall inspect the application and plans and specifications.
(2) 
If the mobile home park is in compliance with all of the provisions of this chapter and all other applicable ordinances, statutes, and regulations, the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department shall approve the application; provided, however, that if the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department does not act to approve or deny within 90 days of receipt of the application, the application shall be automatically approved.
C. 
Renewal of license.
(1) 
Application for the renewal of a license shall be made in writing on or before the first day of November of each year to the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department by the holder of the license and shall contain the following:
(a) 
Any change in the information submitted since the time the original license was issued or the latest renewal granted.
(b) 
Copies of as-built plans for any and all sections of a mobile home park developed during the year in which application for renewal is made.
(c) 
Such other information as the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department may require.
(2) 
All mobile home parks in existence upon the effective date of this chapter shall within six months thereafter comply with the requirements of this chapter, except that the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department, upon application of a park operator, may waive such requirements that require prohibitive reconstruction costs if such waiver does not alter the health and sanitation requirements herein provided.
(3) 
At his/her discretion, the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department may issue a conditional license renewal, subject to the license holder complying with certain conditions as determined by the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department. In such a case, the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department shall list the specific conditions upon which the renewal is based and set a time for compliance with these conditions. Costs associated with enforcement of owner compliance with said specific conditions requiring correction shall be assessed by the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department. If not in compliance, twenty-five dollars ($25.) per inspection shall be assessed; said charge shall be in addition to any other penalty.
(4) 
If the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department does not act on an application for the renewal of a license by December 31, it shall automatically be approved.
(5) 
Not more than four annual license renewals shall be issued for an approved mobile home park in which no substantial development has taken place.
D. 
Responsibility of the license holder.
(1) 
The license certificate shall be conspicuously posted in the office of, or on the premises of, the mobile home park at all times.
(2) 
A license shall be transferable after the holder of a valid license gives notice in writing to the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department 15 days prior to any proposed sale, transfer, gift, or other disposition of interest or control of any mobile home park. Such notice shall include the name and address of the person succeeding to the ownership or control of such mobile home park.
A. 
Enforcement. Upon determination by the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department that a violation of this chapter has occurred, he/she shall initiate enforcement procedures. If necessary, the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department shall refer the matter to the City Solicitor for appropriate legal action.
B. 
Inspection. The Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department, Police Chief, Health Officer, Fire Chief, Commissioner of Public Works, the Zoning Administrator, and other agents of the City as certified by the City Manager are hereby authorized to make periodic and reasonable inspections to determine the condition of mobile home parks within the City of Rochester and to determine if the requirements of this chapter are being observed.
[Amended 3-5-2019]
C. 
Violations and penalties; revocation of license.
(1) 
A violation of, or violation from, the terms and conditions of this chapter and/or the conditions of the license to operate or maintain a mobile home park by the holder thereof or his/her agent shall be cause for the revocation of said license. Such revocation shall be made at the discretion of the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department.
(2) 
After revocation of the license has been ordered by the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department, additional violations shall result in a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.) in accordance with the provisions of RSA 47:17. This provision shall be in effect even should an appeal be taken from the Director's revocation order.
[Amended 3-5-2019]
D. 
Appeals.
(1) 
Any party whose application for approval of a mobile home park plan has been denied may appeal the decision of the Planning Board to the Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of RSA 677:15.
(2) 
Any party whose application for a license has been denied or whose license has been revoked may appeal the decision of the Director of the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department to the Zoning Board of Adjustment in accordance with the provisions of RSA 674:33.
E. 
Conflict with other ordinances. In any case where a portion of this chapter is found to be in conflict with the provisions of any zoning, building, fire, safety, or health ordinance or code of the State of New Hampshire or City of Rochester existing on the effective date of this chapter, the provisions which, in the judgment of the Planning Board, establish the higher standard for the promotion and protection of the health and safety of the people shall prevail.
F. 
Saving clause. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter should be declared invalid for any reason whatsoever, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this chapter, which shall remain in full force and effect, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are hereby declared to be severable.