[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Rice Lake 3-29-2005 by Ord. No. 05-04.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction — See Ch. 88.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 189.
Solid waste — See Ch. 214.
Abandoned vehicles — See Ch. 245, Art. IV.
Floodplain zoning — See Ch. 257.
Shoreland-wetland zoning — See Ch. 258.
Land division — See Ch. 259.
Zoning -See Ch. 260.
[1]
Editor's Note: This article repealed former Ch. 158, Mobile Homes, which chapter consisted of Art. I, Mobile Home Parks, adopted as Title 13, Chapter 3, of the Code of Ordinances, as amended, and Art. II, Monthly Parking Fee, adopted as Title 7, Chapter 6, of the Code of Ordinances, as amended.
It is the intent and purpose of this article to regulate the placing of mobile homes of all types and varieties as defined by this article in order to provide adequate standards to protect the public health, safety, morals, convenience and general welfare.
The following definitions shall be deemed applicable in the execution of this article:
COMMON AREA
Any area or space designated for joint use of residents in a mobile home planned community.
DEPENDENT MOBILE HOME
A mobile home which does not have complete bathroom facilities.
MOBILE HOME
A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is eight body feet or more in width and is 32 body feet or more in length and which is built on a permanent chassis, prior to June 15, 1976, or a manufactured home, built on or after June 15, 1976, which does not meet the criteria set in § 88-10 of this Code, and which is designed to be used as a dwelling, with or without permanent foundation, when connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air-conditioning and electrical systems contained therein. A mobile home includes any additions, attachments, annexes, foundations or any part that may be folded, collapsed or telescoped when being towed and expanded later to provide additional cubic capacity.
MOBILE HOME PARK
Any plot or plots of ground owned by a person, corporation, or state or local government upon which two or more units occupied for dwelling or sleeping purposes, regardless of mobile home ownership, are located and whether or not a charge is made for such accommodation.
MOBILE HOME PARK MANAGEMENT
The person legally responsible for the operation of the park.
MOBILE HOME STAND
That part of an individual lot which has been reserved for the placement of one mobile home unit.
PERSON
An individual, partnership, firm, company or corporation, whether tenant, owner, lessee, licensee or their agent, heir or assigns.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Any vehicle or structure designed or used for temporary, seasonal human living quarters which meets all of the following qualifications:
A. 
It is not used as the permanent residence of the owner or occupant.
B. 
It is used for temporary living quarters by the owner or occupant while engaged in recreation or vacation activities.
C. 
It is towed or self-propelled on public streets or highways incidental to such recreation or vacation activities.
SITE
A plot of ground within a mobile home park designed for placement of one mobile home.
SITE PLAN
A drawing or blueprint displaying all the needed information required to obtain a building permit.
SKIRTING
The placement of any fished material of wood or wood products or steel, tin or other material around the bottom of the mobile home to present a finished appearance to the mobile home and to prevent the storage and collection of trash and unsightly material from under the structure.
STREET
The paved portion of a roadway between curbs or, if not paved, the surfaced area separating sites.
TIE-DOWN
Any device(s) that shall be used to anchor a mobile home to the ground, including any combination of cables, metal straps, concrete deadman eyelet, screw augers, arrowhead anchors, turn buckles or such similar device that is nominally capable of withstanding a wind-resistance load for a short period under extreme wind conditions.
No mobile home, as defined in this article, shall be occupied or used for living or sleeping purposes unless it is located in an area that has been granted an appropriate permit by the Community Development Department in accordance with the procedures set forth in this article. Temporary mobile homes or recreational vehicles used on construction projects or in conjunction with carnivals and circuses may be permitted when approved by the Community Development Department.
No conditional use permit shall be granted by the Plan Commission unless the following conditions are satisfied:
A. 
The establishment, maintenance or operation of the conditional use will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort or general welfare.
B. 
The conditional use will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity for the purposes already permitted nor substantially diminish and impair property values within the neighborhood.
C. 
The establishment of the conditional use will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of the surrounding property for uses permitted in the district.
D. 
Adequate utilities, access roads, drainage and/or necessary facilities have been or are being provided.
E. 
Adequate measures have been or will be taken to provide ingress or egress so designed as to minimize traffic conditions in the public streets.
F. 
The proposed conditional use is not contrary to the objectives of the current land use plan for the city.
G. 
The conditional use, in all respects, conforms to the applicable regulations of the district in which it is located.
Mobile home parks may be permitted, by issuance of a conditional use permit, in the RM District only in accordance with the provisions of this article.
New mobile home parks, as herein defined, shall require a conditional use permit issued in accordance with the provisions of this article. Applications for a conditional use permit shall contain the following information:
A. 
Name and address of the applicant. If the owner of the land is other than the applicant, a duly verified statement by the owner that the applicant is authorized by him to construct the proposed park and make the application shall be provided.
B. 
Location and legal description of the proposed mobile home park.
C. 
Existing easements and covenants affecting the property.
D. 
Land characteristics, such as natural drainage, wetland areas and wooded areas.
E. 
Development characteristics, such as surrounding streets, existing buildings and available community sewer, water and other utilities.
F. 
Complete preliminary engineering plans and specifications of the proposed park showing, at a minimum, the following:
(1) 
The area and dimensions of the tract of land.
(2) 
The number, location and size of all mobile home sites, and the location of common and recreational areas.
(3) 
The location and width of roadways and walkways.
(4) 
The location of the mobile home stands within the mobile home park, including a detailed sketch of at least one typical mobile home site and stand therein.
(5) 
Plans and specifications of all utilities, including sewage collection and disposal, stormwater drainage, water distribution and supply, solid waste storage and collection, lighting, electrical, and telecommunications systems.
(6) 
The number, location and size of all individual and common parking areas.
(7) 
Landscaping plans for the entire park, including a planting plan for the buffer strip.
(8) 
Plans and specifications of all buildings, as defined in the Zoning Code § 260-7, to be located within the park.
(9) 
Written statement describing proposed park operations, management and maintenance, including proposed fees and charges and rules to be established by the operator for conduct of persons within the park.
(10) 
Such other plans and specifications and information as may reasonably be required by the Plan Commission.
The Plan Commission shall review the conditional use permit application to determine its conformity with recognized principles of design, land use planning and landscape architecture and its applicability to Rice Lake zoning ordinances. A public hearing concerning the proposed site plan for a conditional use permit shall occur as required by Article VI of the Zoning Code, Chapter 260.
A. 
Minimum park size. The minimum size of a mobile home park shall be 10 acres.
B. 
Density. The maximum density for mobile home parks shall be eight mobile home units or lots per gross acre.
C. 
Minimum lot size.
(1) 
Individual lots within the mobile home park shall contain an area of not less than 5,000 square feet and shall have a minimum width, at the narrowest point, of 50 feet.
(2) 
Minimum lot area for a double-module mobile home shall be 6,000 square feet and shall be a minimum of 60 feet in width.
D. 
Mobile home stand. A mobile home stand with minimum dimensions of 17 feet by 70 feet intended for the actual placement of the mobile home shall be provided on each mobile home site. The stand shall be hard surfaced with asphalt concrete or similar material and provide adequate drainage and support against settling and frost heave. The mobile home stand shall be provided with anchors and tie-downs as required by state law. The site of each stand shall not be exposed to objectionable smoke, noise, odors, flooding, erosion or other adverse influences.
E. 
Required separation between mobile homes. Mobile homes shall be separated from each other and from other buildings and structures by at least 20 feet. An accessory structure, such as an awning, garage, cabana, storage cabinet, carport, windbreak or porch attached to the mobile home, shall, for purposes of the separation requirements, be considered a part of the mobile home. The basic unit shall not occupy in excess of 1/4 of the area of the site, and the complete unit, including all accessory structures, shall not occupy more than 1/2 of the area of the site.
F. 
Setback and buffer strips. Each mobile home shall be located at least 10 feet from any mobile home site boundary. There shall be a minimum setback of the mobile home of 25 feet from the front or main street side of the site and of at least 10 feet from the rear of the site. All mobile homes shall be located at least 25 feet from any park property boundary line.
G. 
Screening. All mobile home parks shall be provided with a screening of trees or shrubs along the property boundary line separating the park and such adjacent properties, except where the adjoining property is also a mobile home park. Within six months after issuance of the appropriate licenses and permits for the occupation of such mobile home park, the following plantings shall be established: a permanent planting of trees and shrubs so arranged and in sufficient numbers as to form a solid wall of plant material. Such planting shall be a minimum height of two feet at the original time of planting and shall be grown or maintained at a height of not less than 10 feet, except where line of sight vision is necessary for pedestrian or vehicular traffic safety.
H. 
Drainage and landscaping. The ground surface in all parts of every mobile home park shall be graded and equipped to drain all surface water in a safe, efficient manner away from the mobile home stand. All mobile home sites shall be sodded or seeded, and the park shall be attractively landscaped in accordance with a plan submitted at the time of initial permit application.
I. 
Recreation areas. Each park shall contain a recreation area. A minimum of 1/2 acre of area for such use shall be provided for each 100 sites. The minimum area in a park shall be 1/2 acre.
J. 
Lighting. Adequate lighting for safety and security reasons shall be provided within the mobile home park.
The following uses are permitted within mobile home parks:
A. 
Mobile homes used for single-family residential uses.
B. 
One single-family dwelling per park for the owner, operator or caretaker thereof
C. 
Service buildings, such as park offices, laundromats and recreational buildings, provided that such uses are subordinate to the residential character of the park and are intended for use primarily by park residents.
D. 
Accessory structures, such as storage sheds, porches and carports, as approved by the park management. Accessory structures shall meet the minimum setback requirements prescribed for the basic mobile home unit.
E. 
Home occupations as permitted by Zoning Code, Chapter 260.
A. 
Commercial sales of mobile homes shall be prohibited, except that existing mobile homes on the site may be sold by the owner.
B. 
Dependent mobile homes and recreational vehicles shall be prohibited from placement or occupancy with mobile home parks.
Mobile home parks and each mobile home therein shall be connected to public sanitary sewer facilities.
All plumbing shall meet the requirements contained in Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter Comm 95.
All solid wastes shall be stored, collected and disposed of in compliance with Chapter Comm 95 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.
A. 
General requirements. All mobile home stands shall be provided with safe, convenient access to public streets and roads. Such access shall be provided by private streets located within the park boundaries.
B. 
Park entrances. Entrances to parks shall be designed to minimize congestion and hazards and allow free movement of traffic on adjacent streets.
C. 
Interior streets.
(1) 
Paving requirements for interior streets shall adhere to locally applicable codes and shall meet the following width standards:
(a) 
Two-way street (parking on both sides): 32 feet.
(b) 
Two-way street (parking on one side): 25 feet.
(c) 
Two-way street (parking prohibited): 18 feet.
(d) 
One-way street (parking on one side): 22 feet.
(e) 
One-way street (parking prohibited): 14 feet.
(2) 
If dedicated, the right-of-way width shall be at least 66 feet, unless the City Council has specifically approved a lesser width, but shall in no case be less than 50 feet.
D. 
Parking requirements.
(1) 
A minimum of two parking spaces shall be provided for each mobile home, at least one of which will be on the mobile home site.
(2) 
The surface of the parking spaces shall meet the same minimum requirements as for streets.
(3) 
A parking space shall be a minimum of 9 feet wide and 18 feet in length.
(4) 
Parking of boats, trailers and recreational vehicles shall be restricted to a storage area. The operator shall provide a well-drained, dust-free storage area for the use of mobile home occupants. The minimum size of such area shall be 200 square feet per mobile home site. The storage area shall be fenced to prevent access from outside the park.
E. 
Walkways. Pedestrian paved walkways shall be provided in the area of the service buildings, along major streets and in other locations of anticipated heavy foot traffic. Walkways shall be a minimum of four feet wide. They shall be dust-free. In addition, each mobile home stand shall be provided with a paved walkway from the stand to the street or parking space.
A. 
The person to whom a conditional use permit for a park is issued shall operate the park in compliance with this article and shall provide adequate supervision to maintain the park, its facilities and equipment in good repair and in a clean and sanitary condition.
B. 
The park management shall notify park occupants of all applicable provisions of this article and inform them of their duties and responsibilities under this article. The appropriate provisions of this section and park rules adopted by the management shall be posted in an appropriate place within the premises.
C. 
The park management shall supervise the placement of each mobile home on its mobile home stand, which includes securing its stability and installing all utilities.
A. 
The park occupant shall comply with all applicable requirements of this article and shall maintain his/her mobile home, its facilities and equipment in good repair and in a clean and sanitary condition.
B. 
The park occupant shall be responsible for proper placement of his/her mobile home on its mobile home stand and proper installation of all utility connections in accordance with the instructions of the park management.
C. 
Pets, if permitted in the park, shall be prevented from running at large or committing any nuisance within the limits of the park.
D. 
All mobile homes shall be skirted from the mobile home to the ground with the same material as, or equivalent to, that from which the mobile home is made, and such skirting shall be maintained.
E. 
Porches, awnings and other additions shall be installed only if permitted and approved by the park management. When installed they shall be used for storage only if permitted by the park management. If such storage is permitted, the following conditions shall be satisfied:
(1) 
The storage area shall be provided with a base of impervious material.
(2) 
Stored items shall be located so as not to interfere with the underneath inspection of the mobile home.
(3) 
The storage area shall be enclosed by skirting.
F. 
The park occupant shall store and dispose of rubbish and garbage in a clean, sanitary and safe manner.
A. 
There is hereby imposed on each owner of a nonexempt, occupied mobile home in the City of Rice Lake a monthly parking fee as determined in accordance with W.S.A. s. 66.0435(3), which is hereby adopted by reference and made part of this article as if fully set forth herein. It shall be the full and complete responsibility of the licensee to collect the proper amount from each mobile home owner. Licensees shall pay to the City Clerk-Treasurer such parking permit fees on or before the 10th day of the month following the month for which such fees are due in accordance with the terms of this article.
B. 
Licensees of mobile home parks and owners of land on which are parked any occupied, nonexempt mobile homes shall furnish information to the City Clerk Treasurer and City Assessor on such homes added to their park or land within five days after the arrival of such home on forms furnished by the City Clerk-Treasurer in accordance with W.S.A. s. 66.0435(3)(c) and (e).
C. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to establish or operate upon property owned or controlled by him within the City of Rice Lake a mobile home park without having first secured a license therefor from the City Clerk-Treasurer. The application for such license shall be accompanied by a fee as set forth in the fee schedule adopted as part of the annual budget document. The license shall expire one year from the date of issuance. Such parks shall comply with Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter Comm 95, which is hereby adopted by reference.
D. 
Occupants or owners of nonexempt mobile homes parked outside of a mobile home park shall remit such fees directly to the City Clerk-Treasurer as provided in Subsection A. It shall be the full and complete responsibility of the licensee of a mobile home park to collect such fees from each occupied, nonexempt mobile home therein and to remit such fees to the City Clerk-Treasurer as provided in Subsection A.
E. 
Owners of nonexempt, occupied mobile homes, upon receipt of notice from the City Clerk-Treasurer of their liability for the monthly parking permit fee, shall remit the City Clerk-Treasurer a cash deposit of $25 to guarantee payment of such fees when due to the city. It shall be the full and complete responsibility of the licensees of a mobile home park to collect such cash deposits from each occupied, nonexempt mobile home therein and remit such deposits to the City Clerk-Treasurer. Upon receipt of a notice from the owner or licensee that the nonexempt, occupied mobile home has been or is about to be removed from the city, the City Clerk-Treasurer shall apply said cash deposit to reduce any monthly parking permit fees for which said owner is liable and refund the balance, if any, to said owner.