[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Lansing 10-15-2014 by L.L. No. 4-2014. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Local Law No. 4 of 2014 shall be known as the "Mobile Home Park
Law of the Town of Lansing" (hereinafter the, or this, "chapter").
This chapter shall supersede and repeal all existing ordinances of
the Town of Lansing purporting to regulate mobile homes and mobile
home parks.
The intent and purpose of this chapter is to promote the public
health, safety, protection and general welfare of the Town of Lansing,
including those living in mobile home parks, in the following manners:
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A building or structure that is located upon the same lot
as the principal building, structure, or use, when used for purposes
that are subordinate and incidental to those of the principal building,
structure, or use.
A minor private way used by vehicles and pedestrians in a
mobile home park to provide primary access to one or two mobile home
lots, which driveway may include areas for off-road parking.
The duly appointed Building Inspector of the Town, the Code
Enforcement Officer of the Town, and any other person appointed by
the Town Board to interpret, apply, or enforce this chapter, or to
otherwise represent the Town in matters pertaining to this chapter.
Any definition of "manufactured home" provided by New York
State law is hereby incorporated by reference.
[Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions,
Art. I)]
A structure transportable in one or more sections that, in
the traveling mode, is eight feet (2,438 mm) or more in width or 40
feet (12,192 mm) or more in length or, when erected on site, is 320
square feet (29.7 m2) minimum, and that
was built on or after June 15, 1976, on a permanent chassis and designed
to be used as a dwelling, with or without a permanent foundation,
when connected to the required utilities and includes the plumbing,
heating, air-conditioning, and electrical systems contained therein.
The term mobile home shall include a "manufactured home" as defined
in NYS law, and includes any structure that meets all the requirements
of the definition of a mobile home except the size requirements, and
with respect to which the manufacturer voluntarily files a certification
required by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development
and complies with the standards established under the National Manufactured
Housing Construction and Safety Act of 1974, as amended. The term
"manufactured home" shall not include any self-propelled recreational
vehicle.
A space for rent or lease within (and only within) a mobile
home park that is designed for occupancy by one mobile home and its
allowed or permitted accessory structures.
A parcel of land which has been designed and improved for
the placement of three or more mobile homes.
That part of an individual mobile home lot which has been
reserved for the placement of a mobile home.
An area of a mobile home lot that is not part of, or within,
any public highway, private road, or any park street, whereupon the
driveway and designated parking areas for mobile home lots may be
and usually are situate.
The plan required of an applicant pursuant to the standards
for mobile home parks and applications therefor as established by
this chapter, including all requirements of New York State law which
are required to be met, maintained, or adhered to in order to lawfully
establish, maintain, and operate a mobile home park in the Town. Said
plan shall show in sufficient detail, as required by local reviewing
authorities, all of the required information pertaining to the proposed
layout of a premises for a mobile home park as required by this chapter.
A private way which affords a connection to a public highway
and provides also a principal means of access for residents and others
using a mobile home park, including by providing vehicular and pedestrian
access to driveways or auxiliary facilities and buildings within the
mobile home park.
A surfaced outdoor living space designed and intended to
supplement the interior mobile home living area, usually upon a seasonal
basis.
The duly appointed Planning Board of the Town, including
the alternate members thereof.
The Town of Lansing, in Tompkins County, New York.
The Town Board of the Town of Lansing.
The Highway Department of the Town of Lansing, and whenever
approval or review of such Town Highway Department is called for or
referenced in this chapter, such term shall signify approval in writing
by the Town Highway Superintendent or Deputy Highway Superintendent.
A.
General application and waivers.
(1)
Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the standards and requirements
of this chapter shall apply to all mobile home parks and their establishment,
maintenance and operation in the Town of Lansing after the effective
date of this chapter.
(2)
Waivers of any standard or requirement of this chapter may hereafter
be expressly provided, and may be granted by the Planning Board when
found warranted. The Planning Board may grant a waiver when it finds
that, due to the special circumstances of a particular case, a waiver
of certain requirements is justified. In all cases, no waiver shall
be granted unless the Planning Board finds and records in its minutes
that:
(a)
Granting the waiver would be keeping with the intent and spirit
of this chapter and does not nullify any requirements of the Tompkins
County Health Department;
(b)
There is no significant adverse effect upon the character, appearance,
or welfare of the neighborhood;
(c)
There are special circumstances involved in the particular case;
(d)
Denying the waiver would result in undue hardship, provided
that such hardship has not been self-imposed; and
(e)
The waiver is the minimum necessary degree of variation from
the requirements of this chapter as will obviate the hardship or difficulty
or effect substantial justice, while also serving the public interest
in safe roads, water, and land uses.
B.
Mobile home park, park site plan. A park site plan, prepared by a
licensed engineer, licensed land surveyor, or architect shall show
the following:
(1)
The location, boundaries, dimensions, and topography of the tract
of land proposed to be used for the mobile home park.
(2)
The number, location and size of all spaces reserved for independent
mobile homes and all service outlets or connections therefor, including
mobile home stands.
(3)
The boundaries of and facilities to be included in recreation areas,
and the location of all mobile home park auxiliary facilities and
buildings, such as, but not limited to, park offices, dumpster sites,
and storage sites.
(4)
The location, size, and electric lighting plan for roads, walks,
and outdoor areas.
(5)
The location of any proposed structures.
(7)
Plans and specifications for all buildings and other improvements
constructed within the mobile home park.
(8)
Plans for any and all landscaping within and upon the perimeter of
the mobile home park, exclusive of individual lots.
(9)
Design standards for roads and other infrastructures.
(10)
Such other information in such detail as may be reasonably required
by Town and county reviewing authorities, including the Planning Board.
C.
Mobile home park design standards.
(1)
Each mobile home lot shall be at least 55 feet wide (upon at least
one dimension) and shall contain a minimum of 7,000 square feet, of
which no more than 30% shall be occupied by the mobile home stand.
Each mobile home lot shall abut on a park street with access to a
public highway. Such lots shall be clearly defined and mobile homes
shall be sited on such lots so that the following standards are met:
(a)
No mobile home shall be sited within 30 feet of any other mobile
home or any other dwelling, either on or off site.
(b)
No accessory structure, including garages and carports, shall
be sited within 10 feet of any mobile home lot boundary, nor within
30 feet of the boundary of the mobile home park.
(c)
No mobile home shall be sited less than 100 feet from any public
highway; however, the Planning Board may, for good and stated reasons,
alter this dimension by waiver and without need of a variance as part
of the site plan review process.
(d)
All areas required to be landscaped, screened, buffered by vegetation,
or provided with lawns or other ground cover shall be kept properly
maintained, including by regular mowing.
(e)
No area established as a minimum yard or setback area shall
be used for parking or accessory structures.
(f)
All side yard setbacks must be a minimum of 10 feet; however,
the Planning Board may, for good and stated reasons, alter this dimension
by waiver and without need of a variance as part of the site plan
review process.
(g)
All rear yard setbacks must be a minimum of 15 feet; however,
the Planning Board may, for good and stated reasons, alter this dimension
by waiver and without need of a variance as part of the site plan
review process.
(h)
All front yards must be a minimum of 25 feet; however, the Planning
Board may, for good and stated reasons, alter this dimension by waiver
and without need of a variance as part of the site plan review process.
(i)
No mobile home may be sited within 25 feet of any park street
as measured from the near edge of the pavement; however, the Planning
Board may, for good and stated reasons, alter this dimension by waiver
and without need of a variance as part of the site plan review process.
(j)
All mobile home lots shall have a driveway, which may consist
of an off-road parking area, and each mobile home lot shall have sufficient
off-road parking for two automobiles.
(k)
The mobile home park shall have a perimeter buffer at least
30 feet wide, and the Planning Board may require plantings, fencing,
or other screening or buffers to be therein installed.
(2)
Each park street shall conform to the following requirements:
(a)
Park streets shall be continuous and their lanes well marked.
(b)
Park streets shall provide at least one connection with a public
highway at a 90° angle, and at least one point of intersection
with and access from a public highway shall be required for every
10 mobile home lots proposed, or any fraction thereof.
(c)
Park streets shall be at least 20 feet wide.
(d)
Park streets shall be improved and maintained with an all-weather
hard surface on a suitable base, subject to the advance approval of
the Town Highway Department as to their method of construction and
the suitability of materials so utilized.
(e)
Park streets shall be provided with signage and lighting as
required by the Planning Board through the site plan review process.
(3)
Driveways shall not be less than 10 feet in width and shall be improved
and maintained with an all-weather hard surface on a suitable base
or by compacted crusher run or gravel, subject to the approval of
the Planning Board. The driveway shall extend a minimum of 20 feet
beyond the edge of any park street, and at least 40 feet beyond the
edge of any public highway or private road. In no case may the driveway
extend beyond the rear line of the mobile home stand.
(4)
An area or areas restricted to recreational use shall be provided
in each mobile home park. A minimum of 10% of the gross land area
shall be made available in one or more places within the mobile home
park for this use. The Planning Board may require suitable fencing
and landscaping of such areas for screening or other purposes.
D.
Utilities.
(1)
No mobile home park shall be occupied until the water system thereof
is connected to and serviced by a public water supply distribution
system or approved by the Tompkins County Health Department. The water
system of a mobile home park shall be connected by pipes to each mobile
home stand, and all such water lines shall be suitably protected from
the elements and accidental damage or disconnection.
(2)
All plumbing in a mobile home park shall be constructed and maintained
in accordance with standards approved by all applicable state and
local laws, codes, and regulations.
(3)
All water from showers, tubs, toilets, laundries, faucets, sinks
and lavatories shall be wasted into an approved municipal or private
sewerage system, or into an septic or sanitary treatment system approved
by the Tompkins County Health Department (or equivalent).
(4)
Each mobile home park shall provide each mobile home lot with a satisfactory
sewer, wastewater, septic, or other gray-water and sanitary disposal
system or connection approved by the Tompkins County Health Department.
(5)
An electric outlet shall be provided for each mobile home stand that
is sufficient to meet typical household loading and needs. All electric
connections and systems shall be inspected by a New York State certified
Electrical Inspector. No letting or residential or other use of a
mobile home, and no certificate of occupancy shall be issued, until
a proper electrical inspector's certificate is filed with the
Enforcement Officer and such inspection shows compliance with required
state and local laws, codes, and regulations.
E.
Refuse disposal. The storage, collection and disposal of waste garbage,
and refuse in a mobile home park shall be so managed as to create
no health or accident hazards, rodent harborage, insect-breeding areas,
or pollution of air or water. All refuse shall be stored in fly-tight,
watertight, and rodent-proof containers. Insect- and rodent-control
measures to safeguard public health as recommended by the Tompkins
County Health Department shall be applied in all mobile home parks.
When required by the Planning Board or recommended by the Tompkins
County Health Department, a mobile home park may be required to provide
a dumpster container area, and all such dumpsters must have covers,
be kept closed, and regularly emptied and serviced to avoid spoilage,
rot, mold, container leakage, odors, and like issues and problems.
A.
It shall be unlawful to increase the living or storage space of any
mobile home without first obtaining a permit from the Enforcement
Officer. No accessory structure may be used for living or occupancy
space; except for storm shelters; but no storm shelter shall be used
for storage or as storage space.
B.
Awnings or canopies may be attached to mobile homes if allowed in
the approved site plan review conditions for the mobile home park.
No such structure or device may be installed or attached until a building
permit is obtained whenever the park site plan approval or design,
size, or features of such installation require the same.
C.
No occupied mobile home shall be located in a mobile home park in
any area other than upon a mobile home park lot. However, staging
and storage areas for vacant mobile homes yet to be installed or being
relocated or removed due to summary proceedings, condemnation, or
other causes, are allowed if such location is sited and approved during
the site plan review process.
D.
Mobile home parks shall at all times be maintained in a clean and
sanitary manner in accordance with the provisions of this chapter
and applicable local and state laws, codes, and regulations.
E.
All mobile homes must be anchored in accordance with applicable local
and state laws, codes, and regulations or, if no such local and state
law, code, or regulation applies, then by at least one anchor at each
building corner.
F.
All existing mobile home parks, or emplacements of any mobile homes
which would be subject to regulation under this chapter, shall comply
with the requirements of this chapter within three years of its adoption,
unless a waiver is otherwise granted upon due application there for.
All such existing mobile home parks, or emplacements of any mobile
homes which would be subject to regulation under this chapter, shall
be required to comply with the requirements of this chapter for any
expansions of the mobile home park, the addition of any lots, or any
other change (including any change of use) as is determined as significant
by the Enforcement Officer or the Planning Board.
A.
Before a mobile home park commences operation, the Enforcement Officer
shall make an inspection of the premises to determine:
B.
If the Enforcement Officer finds that such mobile home park is not
being maintained in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition, or that
such mobile home park is not being operated in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter or the conditions of the site plan review
approvals, the Enforcement Officer shall serve upon the owner, his
agent or employee, a written order to remedy directing that the conditions
therein specified be remedied within a set period of time. Such order
to remedy shall comply with the requirements of NYS Executive Law
§ 382. If, after the expiration of the compliance period
stated in such order to remedy, such conditions are not corrected
and compliance has not been achieved and maintained, then the Enforcement
Officer may commence criminal enforcement proceedings, including by
service upon the owner of any mobile home, the owner of the mobile
home park, the owner of any mobile home lot, the holder of any mobile
home park permit, the owner of the underlying land upon which is situate
a mobile home park, or upon any other person who violates this chapter,
a criminal appearance ticket, criminal summons, or other lawful process.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
A.
All provisions of New York State law generally applicable to misdemeanors
shall apply to any criminal proceeding brought under this chapter,
and any misdemeanor shall be deemed an unclassified misdemeanor. For
purposes of this chapter the Town's justice court is hereby vested
and imbued with jurisdiction to issue administrative and other warrants
in compliance with the New York Criminal Procedure Law and administrative
codes of the State of New York, as well as to hear and adjudicate
allegations relating to the criminal or civil violation of this chapter
and thereafter, if appropriate, impose any fine, penalty, or sanction.
B.
First violation. Any person or entity that violates any of the provisions
of this chapter shall be guilty of a criminal violation and subject
to a fine of not more than $500, or subject to a civil penalty of
not more than $1,000 to be recovered by the Town in a civil action.
C.
Second violation. Any violation that is found to have occurred within
two years of any prior civil or criminal determination of any other
violation of this chapter shall be deemed a second violation. Any
person or entity that commits any second violation shall be:
D.
Each week that any noncompliance or violation continues is and may
be charged as a separate violation.
E.
In addition to any other remedy, a violation of, or noncompliance
with, this chapter may result in the termination, modification, or
revocation of any permits or approvals as issued.
F.
The application or pursuit of any civil or criminal fine, sanction,
or penalty shall not preclude the pursuit of any other lawful remedy
by the Town, including, but not limited to, the right to seek equitable
relief.
(1)
Whenever
the Town shall believe from evidence satisfactory to it that there
is a violation of this chapter, the Town may bring an action to enjoin
and restrain the continuation of such violation and in any such action:
(2)
In
such action, the court may also award any damages or other relief
requested, including declaring the rights and interests of any parties
and imposing any civil penalties. The remedies provided by this chapter
shall not be in lieu of, and shall be in addition to, any other right
or remedy available to the Town, whether sounding in enforcement or
otherwise.
The Town shall not be liable or responsible for any injury to
persons or damage to property due to the Town's actions, or failures
to act, under or pursuant to this chapter, unless it is proven to
a reasonable degree of certainty that such injury or damage was solely
caused by a willful or intentional tortious act of the Town.
If any clause or provision of this chapter shall be held invalid
or unenforceable by a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction,
such holding shall not affect or invalidate the remainder of this
chapter and any such invalidity or unenforceability shall be confined
in its operation to the clause or provision directly involved in the
controversy in which such holding shall have been rendered.