Public Hearing to be Held on Mobile Home Ordinance Changes

Franklin County continues to make adjustments to its UDC code and one area that has recently been adjusted is the Mobile Home Ordinance.

In January, County Commission Chair Jeff Jacques called for a review of certain areas of the Unified Development Code and one of those areas had to do with mobile homes.

SEC 3-127 of the UDC required a mobile home, whether new or relocated to have a block or brick foundation.

Jacques said in many instances requiring a block or brick foundation is not affordable for Franklin County residents.

“We’re now requiring mobile homes, to have concrete block or brick foundations, which in many cases is going to cost more than the mobile home itself,” Jacques said last month.

At their following work session, Planning & Zoning Commission Executive Director Matt Haley said that requirement had been removed.

“So skirting is amended to say that skirting of a manufactured home is required. The skirting shall be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Unless, inconsistent with these rules, skirting made of vinyl or metal sheeting,” he said.

Haley said other adjustments to the mobile home ordinance were also made, including streamlining the process of enforcing the entire mobile home ordinance.

“It actually clears up the process to where there are fewer steps,” he said. “It will be clear for citizens, staff, and the Board. It includes all of the documents that staff is required to accept by state law that were not originally included in the 2014 ordinance; to include a manufactured home installers license and other items required as we’re supposed to.”

The amendment to the mobile home ordinance had its first reading at the Commission’s February meeting and was passed 4-0.

A notice of a public hearing will be put in the Franklin County Citizen to take place on March 6 after which the Board is expected to vote to approve the change.