This section is established to regulate and control the location, design, construction, alteration, and maintenance of mobile home parks, as defined herein, and related utilities and facilities. It is felt that this article is necessary to:
(1) 
Provide for the safety and well-being of the citizens of the city and their property.
(2) 
Aid and assist in the development of safe and adequate housing in the city.
(Ordinance 05-2014 adopted 9/11/14)
For the purpose of this article the following words and terms shall have the meanings described to them.
Dependent mobile home.
A mobile home without inside toilets and bath and is prohibited in a mobile home park as defined in this article.
Driveway.
A surfaced area of no more than two hundred feet (200') in length used for the purpose of reaching a mobile home space on off-street parking area.
Hard surface road.
An asphalt or concrete road.
Internal street.
A street constructed in the normal way and approved for streets in the city, but on the private property of a mobile home park owner.
Licensee.
Any person licensed to operate and maintain a mobile home park under the provisions of this article.
Manufactured home.
A structure as defined in section 14.02.007 of this code.
Manufactured home space.
A plot of ground within a mobile home park designed for the accommodation of one (1) manufactured home or travel trailer.
Mobile home.
A structure as defined in section 14.02.007 of this code.
Mobile home park.
Any plot of grounds upon which two (2) or more manufactured homes or travel trailers occupied for dwelling or sleeping purposes for any length of time are located, regardless of whether or not a charge is made for such accommodation.
Modular home.
A structure as defined in section 14.02.007 of this code.
Park.
A mobile home park.
Permittee.
Any person to whom a temporary permit is issued to maintain or operate a mobile home/travel trailer park under the provisions of this chapter.
Person.
Any natural individual, firm, trust, partnership, association or corporation.
Travel trailer.
A structure having no foundation other than a permanent chassis with wheels, which is twelve (12) body feet or less in width, and is less than forty (40) body feet in length, and is designed to be used as a dwelling with or without permanent foundation, when connected to the required utilities systems contained therein. It should include plumbing, heating, air-conditioning and electrical systems also contained therein.
(Ordinance 05-2014 adopted 9/11/14; Ordinance 02-2018 adopted 2/8/18)
(a) 
Permit required.
It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, alter or extend any mobile home park within the limits of the city, unless he holds a valid permit issued by the city in the name of such person for the specific construction, alteration or extension proposed.
(b) 
Application procedure.
Application for a mobile home park permit shall be filed with the city secretary, and upon approval by the city council, the city secretary shall issue the permit. Applications shall be in writing, signed by the applicant, and shall contain the following:
(1) 
Name and address of the applicant.
(2) 
Location and legal description of the mobile home park.
(c) 
Site plan.
To the application shall be attached two (2) copies of a site plan, at a minimum scale of 1:200 for sites of ten (10) acres, or more, and at a minimum scale of 1:50 for sites under ten (10) acres. The site plan shall include all data required under section 3.07.006 hereof. One (1) print of the site plan is to be circulated by the city secretary to each of the city departments for approval prior to issuing the permit. This site plan does not replace or supersede the subdivision plat of the property, required by state law to be recorded in the county records of the county in which the property is located, after review and approval of the city council.
(d) 
Permit fee.
All applications to the city secretary shall be accompanied by a fee of one dollar ($1.00).
(e) 
Issuance of permit.
When upon review of the application, the city secretary is satisfied that the proposed plan meets the requirements of this section, a permit shall be issued.
(f) 
Denial of permit; hearing.
Any person whose application for a permit under this article has been denied, may request a hearing on the matter under the procedure provided in section 3.07.005 of this article.
(Ordinance 05-2014 adopted 9/11/14)
(a) 
License required.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any mobile home park within the limits of the city unless he holds a valid license issued annually by the city in the name of such person for the specific park.
(b) 
Application for license.
Application for the license shall be in writing signed by the applicant, accompanied by the deposit of the license fee hereinafter provided, and shall contain:
(1) 
The name and address of the applicant.
(2) 
The location and legal description of the mobile home park.
(3) 
A complete plan of the park showing compliance with section 3.07.006 of this article.
(4) 
Such further information as may be requested to enable city council to determine if the mobile home park will comply with the legal requirements.
(c) 
Procedures for approval.
The application and all accompanying plans and specifications shall be filed in duplicate. The city manager and city health officer shall investigate the applicant, and inspect the mobile home park site. Each of them then make a report to the city council concerning such applicant and include therein their recommendations relative to the issuance of a license. If the mobile home park will be in compliance with all provisions of this article and all other applicable ordinances or statutes, the city council may approve the application, and, in the case of a proposed park, make such approval contingent upon the completing of the park according to the plans and specifications submitted with the application. The city secretary, at the direction of the city council, shall issue the license. No license shall be issued or granted to such mobile home park which contains manufactured homes or travel trailers which fail to meet the standards and requirements of chapter 1201, Texas Occupations Code.
(d) 
License fees.
The annual license fee for each mobile home park shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00) per year, or fraction thereof, for each home and/or park that contains five (5) lots or less, plus three dollars ($3.00) per year for each home over five (5). The fee for the transfer of such license, as provided for this article, shall be ten dollars ($10.00).
(e) 
Revocation of license.
The city council may revoke any license issued under this article in case of any provisions hereof are violated. However, before said license may be revoked, the city council must give ten (10) days notice to the holder of said license and hold a hearing thereon. After said license has been revoked, the license may be re-issued if the reasons for said revocation have been duly corrected. Should the city council determine that any mobile home park subject to the provisions of this article contains manufactured homes or travel trailers which have failed to meet the standards as set by the Texas Occupations Code, then said license shall be revoked.
(f) 
Transfer and duration.
Upon application for a transfer of the license, the city council may issue a transfer upon payment of transfer fee. Such original license and transfer thereof, may be granted at any time during the year and shall expire at the end of the fiscal year of the city, unless previously revoked or terminated. All licenses are renewable at the start of the fiscal year, October through September, of the city.
(g) 
Posting of license.
The license certificate shall be conspicuously posted in the office of or on the premises of the mobile home park at all times.
(Ordinance 05-2014 adopted 9/11/14)
(a) 
Notice of violations requirements of notice.
Whenever it is determined that there has been a violation of any provision of this article, the city secretary shall give notice of such alleged violation to the licensee or agent. Such notice shall:
(1) 
Be in writing;
(2) 
Include a statement of the reasons for its issuance;
(3) 
Contain an outline of remedial action which, if taken, will effect compliance with the provisions of this article;
(4) 
Allow a reasonable time for the performance of the act it requires; and
(5) 
Be served upon the licensee or his agent; provided that such notice or order shall be deemed to have been properly served upon such licensee or agent when a copy thereof has been sent by mail to his last known address, or when he has been served with such notice by any method authorized or required by the laws of this state.
(b) 
Appeal from denial of permit by the city secretary.
Any person affected by the refusal of the city secretary to issue a permit under the provisions of this article, may request and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the city council; provided that such person shall file within fifteen (15) days after the day the permit was refused, in the office of the city secretary, a written petition requesting such hearing and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds therefor. Upon receipt of such petition, the city secretary shall request the city council to set a time and place for such hearing and shall give the petitioner written notice thereof. At such hearing the petitioner shall be given an opportunity to be heard and to show why such refusal should be modified or withdrawn.
(c) 
Appeal from notice issued by the city secretary.
Any person affected by any notice which has been issued in connection with the enforcement of any provision of this article applicable to such park by the city secretary may request and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the city council; provided that such person shall file within fifteen (15) days after the day the notice was served, in the office of the city secretary, a written petition requesting such hearing and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds therefor. The filing of the request for a hearing shall operate as a stay of the notice and of the suspension, except in the case of an order issued under subsection (e) of this section. Upon receipt of such petition, the city secretary shall request the city council to set a time and place for such hearing and shall give the petitioner written notice thereof. At such hearing, the petitioner shall be given an opportunity to be heard and to show why such notice should be modified or withdrawn.
(d) 
Hearing.
After the conclusion of the hearing held under subsections (b) and/or (d) hereof, the city secretary shall issue an order in writing sustaining, modifying or withdrawing the refusal for a permit or notice of violation. This order shall be served as provided in subsection (a) hereof. Upon failure to comply with an order by the city secretary sustaining or modifying the original decision thereof, the license of the park will be revoked or the requested permit denied.
(e) 
Order without notice.
Whenever the city secretary finds that an emergency exists which requires immediate action to protect the public health or safety, he may without notice or hearing issue an order reciting the existence of such an emergency and requiring that action be taken as he may deem necessary to meet the emergency. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, when such an order is directed the licensee or agent shall comply therewith immediately; but upon written petition to the city secretary, shall be afforded a hearing as soon as possible.
(Ordinance 05-2014 adopted 9/11/14)
(a) 
Site plan.
The site plan shall be filed as required by section 3.07.003(c) of this article and shall show the following:
(1) 
The area and dimensions of the tract of land, with identification of location and boundaries;
(2) 
Existing and proposed topography of the mobile home park;
(3) 
The number, location, and size of all manufactured home spaces;
(4) 
The location, width, and specifications of driveways, roadways, and walkways;
(5) 
The location and specifications of water and sewer lines and riser pipes;
(6) 
The location and details of lighting, electrical and gas systems;
(7) 
The location and specifications of all buildings constructed or to be constructed within the park;
(8) 
The location of fire mains, including the size, the hydrants, and any other equipment which may be provided; and
(9) 
Such other information as municipal reviewing officials may reasonably require.
(b) 
Site requirements.
Any mobile home park constructed after the adoption of this article, and any extension or addition to an existing mobile home park in the city, shall be done in compliance with the following site requirements:
(1) 
The park shall be located on a well drained site, properly graded to ensure rapid drainage and freedom from stagnant pools of water.
(2) 
Exposed ground surfaces in all parts of every mobile home park shall be paved, covered with stone screening or protected with a vegetative growth that is capable of preventing soil erosion and of eliminating dust.
(3) 
Manufactured home and/or travel trailer spaces shall be provided, consisting of 4,050.00 square feet for each lot, which shall be at least forty-five feet (45') wide and clearly defined. Manufactured homes or travel trailers shall be so harbored on each lot that there shall be at least a twenty-five foot (25') clearance between manufactured homes or travel trailers; provided, however, that with respect to manufactured homes or travel trailers parked end to end, the end of end clearance between manufactured homes or travel trailers may be less than twenty-five feet (25'), but not less than ten (10'). No manufactured home or travel trailer shall be located closer than fifteen feet (15') from any building within the park or from any property line bounding the park.
(4) 
All manufactured home and/or travel trailer lots shall abut upon a driveway of not less than fifteen feet (15') in width which shall have unobstructed access to an internal private street, public street, or highway. All driveways shall be paved with material acceptable to the city, shall be well marked in the daytime, and lighted at night.
(5) 
Each manufactured home and/or travel trailer shall contain provision for off-street parking spaces. Each parking space shall be surfaced with all-weather material, and located to eliminate interference with access to park area provided for other manufactured homes and for public parking in the park.
(6) 
Where internal streets are provided for access, traffic circulation and parking, such streets shall be curbed and paved to city specifications, privately owned, built and maintained. Streets shall be designed for safe and convenient access to all spaces and to facilities for common use of the park residents.
(7) 
If the park is constructed with internal streets having a width of thirty-six feet (36') or greater, off-street parking need not be provided.
(8) 
A six-foot (6') high wood fence constructed to city specifications shall be constructed around the entire mobile home park.
(9) 
All facilities and services provided within the park will be in accordance with section 3.07.008 of this article.
(Ordinance 05-2014 adopted 9/11/14)
It shall be unlawful for any person operating a mobile home park or occupying a manufactured home or travel trailer to construct or permit to be constructed in such park, or in connection with such manufactured home or travel trailer any additional structure, building or shelter in connection with or attached to a manufactured home or travel trailer, except, however, awnings of canvas or metal, suitably constructed, may be attached to said manufactured homes or travel trailers, as well as portable, prefabricated, temporary rooms, commonly called “cabana,” for the express purpose of increasing manufactured home or travel trailer living area, which meet the following requirements:
(1) 
Capable of being dismantled when moved;
(2) 
Finish and appearance to be as near the same as possible to the manufactured home or travel trailer to which it is accessory;
(3) 
The length may not exceed the length of the manufactured home or travel trailer;
(4) 
Further additional construction in the form of carports or storage facilities be allowed; and
(5) 
All such rooms, carports and/or storage facilities shall be completely dismantled and removed from the site at the time the manufactured home or travel trailer to which it is an accessory is moved.
(Ordinance 05-2014 adopted 9/11/14)
(a) 
Water supply and sanitary sewer.
From and after the effective date of this article, the following shall apply:
(1) 
An accessible, adequate, safe, and potable supply of water for drinking and domestic purposes shall be supplied by approved pipes to all manufactured homes/travel trailer spaces within the mobile home park. Each manufactured home/travel trailer space shall be provided with a cold-water tap at least six inches (6") from the ground. Connection shall be made to the public supply of water unless a special exception is granted by the city council to use a private water supply system. If a private supply is utilized for service to the park, the private supply shall be adequate both for domestic requirements and for firefighting requirements established by the city.
(2) 
An adequate and safe sewerage system shall be provided in all mobile home parks for conveying and disposing of all sewerage. The sewer system for a mobile home park shall be constructed in accordance with the city plumbing code. Each manufactured home space shall be provided with at least a four-inch (4") diameter sewer riser pipe. The sewer riser pipe shall be so located on each space that the sewer connection to the manufactured home drain outlet will approximate a vertical position. The sewer connection to the manufactured home from the sewer riser pipe and any other sewer connections shall be in accordance with the requirements of the city plumbing code. All materials used for sewer connections shall be in accordance with the city plumbing code.
(3) 
An electrical service connection of at least 120/240 volt single-phase, 125 amperes entrance capacity shall be provided for each manufactured home/travel trailer space, or any amperes entrance capacity sufficient to supply the manufactured home/travel trailer and the appliances, fixtures, etc., connected therein, but in no case less than 125 amperes entrance capacity will be acceptable. Any electrical connection from the meter to manufactured home/travel trailer shall be by direct burial and shall follow the rules and regulations as contained in the National Electrical Code, the edition of which is in use at the time the manufactured home/travel trailer is connected into the city’s electrical system. Any and all electrical work shall be performed by a licensed and bonded electrician.
(b) 
Telephone system.
Installation of telephone lines to and within the mobile home park will be in accordance with the procedures followed by the general telephone company. Whenever possible all telephone lines in the mobile home park shall be installed underground.
(c) 
Fuel supply and storage.
From and after the effective date of this article, the following shall apply:
(1) 
Natural gas system.
(A) 
Natural gas piping systems shall be installed underground and maintained in accordance with applicable codes and regulations governing such systems.
(B) 
Each manufactured home space provided with piped gas shall have a cap on the outlet when not in use to prevent accidental discharge of gas, and shall be in accordance with the city plumbing code.
(2) 
Liquefied petroleum gas system.
(A) 
Liquefied petroleum gas systems shall be installed only if an available natural gas system is more than one thousand feet (1,000') from the mobile home park. The liquefied petroleum gas system shall be maintained in accordance with applicable codes of the city and regulations of the Texas Railroad Commission pertaining thereto.
(B) 
Bottled gas for cooking purposes shall not be used at individual manufactured home or travel trailer lots unless the containers are properly connected by copper or other suitable metallic tubing. Bottled gas cylinders shall be securely fastened in place. No cylinder containing bottled gas shall be located inside a manufactured home or travel trailer or within five feet (5') of a door. No more than one (1) manufactured home/travel trailer shall be connected to each cylinder.
(d) 
Refuse and garbage handling.
(1) 
The storage, collection, and disposal of refuse in the mobile home park shall be so conducted as to create no health hazards, rodent harborage, insect breeding areas, accident or fire hazards, or air pollution. One or both of the systems described in the following subsections shall be used in every park. Refuse and garbage shall be removed from the park at least twice each week. The system of storage and collection for each park shall be worked out with the city manager.
(2) 
If refuse is gathered at the individual sites, it shall be stored in flight, watertight, rodent-proof containers, which shall be located at each manufactured home space. Containers for this use shall be of sufficient number and capacity to properly store all refuse until collected.
(3) 
Centrally located refuse containers having a capacity of two (2) or three (3) cubic yards may be provided. If provided, such containers shall be so designed as to prevent spillage, container deterioration, and to facilitate cleaning around them.
(Ordinance 05-2014 adopted 9/11/14)
(a) 
Rules and regulations for parks.
It shall be the duty of the owner, his agent, representative or manager to prescribe rules and regulations for the management of the park; to make adequate provisions for the enforcement of such rules; and to subscribe to any and all subsequent rules and regulations which may be adopted for the management of such park. Copies of all such rules and regulations shall be furnished to the city secretary. In addition thereto, it shall be the duty of the owner, his agent, representative or manager to comply with the following:
(1) 
Provide for regular inspection of the water and sanitary conveniences.
(2) 
Provide a location for the deposit of garbage by each manufactured home residence to be picked up by the city sanitation department.
(3) 
Prohibit the placing or storage of unsightly material or vehicles of any kind.
(b) 
Office.
Each mobile home park shall maintain an office (which need not be on the premises, but should be within the city) in which shall be kept copies of all records pertaining to the management and supervision of the park, and such records, rules, and regulations to be available for inspection by law enforcement officers, public health officials, and other officials whose duties necessitate acquisition of the information contained therein.
(c) 
Occupancy of dependent mobile home or travel trailer.
No dependent mobile home or travel trailer, as the same is defined in section 3.07.002 hereof, shall ever be occupied for residential purposes.
(d) 
Maintenance.
Every person owning or operating a mobile home park shall maintain such park, and any facilities, fixtures, and permanent equipment in connection therewith, in a clean and sanitary condition and in a state of good repair.
(e) 
Register and directory.
(1) 
The licensee or agent shall maintain a register of park occupants which shall contain the following information:
(A) 
Name and address of park residents.
(B) 
Manufactured home registration data, including make, length, width, year of manufacture, and identification number.
(C) 
Location of each manufactured home within the park by space or lot number and street address if applicable.
(D) 
Dates of arrival and departure.
(2) 
A new register shall be initiated on January first of each year, and the old register retired; but retained on the premises for at least three (3) years following the retirement. Registers shall be available for inspection at all reasonable times by an official of the city whose duties may necessitate access to the information contained therein.
(3) 
The licensee or agent shall furnish to the city, within ten (10) days after the first day of January of each year, a list of all manufactured home residents in the park on the first day of January. The list shall contain the owners name and address; the make, length, width, year of manufacture, and identification number of the manufactured home; and the address or location description of said manufactured home within the park. Said lists shall be prepared using the above-mentioned register or copies of the register may be submitted.
(Ordinance 05-2014 adopted 9/11/14)
(a) 
The occupant shall comply with all requirements of this article and shall maintain his manufactured home space, its facilities and equipment in good repair and in a clean and sanitary condition.
(b) 
The occupant shall be responsible for proper placement of his manufactured home in its manufactured home stand and proper installation of all utility connections in accordance with the instructions of the park management.
(c) 
Fire resistant skirting with the necessary vents, screens and/or openings shall be required on all manufactured homes and shall be installed within forty-five (45) days after emplacement of the manufactured home.
(d) 
Skirting, porches, awnings, and other additions, when installed, shall be maintained in good repair. The use of space immediately underneath a manufactured home for storage shall be permitted only under the following conditions:
(1) 
The storage area shall have a base of impervious material.
(2) 
Stored items shall not interfere with the underneath inspection of the manufactured home.
(Ordinance 05-2014 adopted 9/11/14)
(a) 
Nothing in this article shall be interpreted in such manner as to impose an illegal restriction on land use. To the extent of a conflict between this chapter and chapter 14, the terms of chapter 14 shall prevail.
(b) 
This article shall not apply to manufactured homes or travel trailers which were already located upon property outside licensed mobile home/travel trailer parks, and were being occupied for residential purposes on or before January 31, 1983. Persons occupying such manufactured homes and/or travel trailers prior to January 31, 1983, shall have the right to continue such occupancy, provided the manufactured home and/or travel trailer is not a dependent mobile home and/or travel trailer as defined in this article, and provided further that such persons comply with sewage, water, and electrical requirements of this article. All other existing manufactured homes are subject to the terms of chapter 14 of this code.
(c) 
The grandfather clause contained in subsection (b) of this section shall not apply to plots of land with more than one (1) manufactured home parked upon them; provided, however, a license may be approved for any mobile home park which was in operation at time of passage of this section if the city council determines that said park adequately provides for the health and safety of the residents thereof, as well as that of the other residents of the city.
(Ordinance 05-2014 adopted 9/11/14)