15.10.010 Purpose

The purpose of this regulation is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life and limb, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling use and occupancy of all mobile homes, trailer homes, trailers or any similarly named structure within the City. (Ord. 2874, 2004; Prior code §4-7-1); Ord. 2651 (Exh. B), 1993).

15.10.040 Unsafe structures and utilities—designated

Unsafe mobile homes, trailer homes, trailers or other similar structures designed for living purposes for one or more persons are defined as follows:

1. Unsafe Structure. An unsafe structure is one which constitutes a fire hazard or hazard to life, health, property or public welfare by reason of use, inadequate maintenance or dilapidation or abandonment. However, without limitations of the foregoing, any structure in which any one or more of the following conditions exists shall be deemed conclusively to be an unsafe structure:
   1. Those which show damage or deterioration of the non-supporting enclosing or outside walls or covering to such an extent that they will not resist the wind pressure or lateral forces all in accordance with the standards adopted in this chapter;
   2. Those in which the loads upon the floors or roof exceed the maximum design limits;
   3. Those in which parts thereof are so attached that they may fall and cause injury to persons or personal property.
2. Unsafe Utility. An unsafe utility is one which constitutes a fire hazard or hazard to life, health, property or public welfare by reason of use, construction, quality of material or inadequate maintenance or dilapidation. However, without limitation of the foregoing, any utility in which any one or more of the following conditions exists shall be deemed to be an unsafe utility:
   1. Gas fired, oil fired or solid fuel fired appliances, devices or other apparatus which have any of the following defects:
      1. Broken or cracked heat exchangers,
      2. Defective or deteriorated vents, venting or flues which permit leakage of the flue gas through the walls,
      3. Defective fuel supply lines,
      4. Insufficient air supply for combustion of the fuel,
      5. Defective or improperly installed and/or adjusted controls and appurtenances or a lack of such required controls,
      6. Equipment locations which constitute a fire or explosive hazard,
      7. Defective or improperly -installed equipment.

15.10.050 Unsafe structures and utilities--abatement--notice

1. If after inspection of the structure it is determined to be unsafe, it is a nuisance and shall be abated by removal, upon written notice by the Building Official or duly authorized representative to the person or persons having a record title therein.
2. If the owner of any unsafe structure fails to carry out removal required to be carried out by the written notice within ninety days after receipt of the notice, the Building Official or authorized agent shall cause to be posted upon the structure a warning notice declaring the structure to be unsafe for human occupancy, and he/she shall order all utilities disconnected until such unsafe condition has been abated.
3. Failure to comply with the abatement of the unsafe structure shall constitute a violation of this chapter, and the owner shall be subject to the penalties of Chapter 1.04.070. (Ord. 2874, 2004; Prior code §5-7-3 (B)).

15.10.060 Building official—decision

Any decision or order issued by the Building Official may be appealed to the Board of Appeals. If such order of the Building Official is sustained or modified by the Board of Appeals, such decision shall be deemed final. (Ord. 2874, 2004; Prior code §4-7-3(C)).

15.10.070 Appurtenances—installation

1. Footings, piers, caps and shims shall be installed directly under the main frame or chassis of the mobile home according to the manufacturer's recommendations so long as those recommendations meet the minimum standards set out in this section and Sections 15.10.080 through 15.10.120.
2. All footings, piers, caps and shims shall be located under both frame rails and shall be installed so the longest dimension of each piece of material used for the construction of a pier and of each footing, cap and shim is parallel with the ground and perpendicular to the frame rail. Those nearest each end of the mobile home shall be within five feet from the end of the home, and shall have a maximum spacing of ten feet on the centers.
3. All grass and organic material shall be removed from beneath the footings. (Ord. 2874, 2004; Prior code §4-7-4(part)).

15.10.080 Footing

1. A footing is that portion of the blocking between the ground and the frame rail which spreads and transmits loads directly to the soil.
2. All footings shall be of a material impervious to rot which has a minimum weight bearing ability equal to or greater than a solid piece of wood having minimum nominal dimensions of 2" x 12" x 18".
3. Each footing may be constructed from more than one piece of material, provided that each piece of material has minimum nominal dimensions of not less than 2" x 12" x 18", unless smaller dimensions are approved by the section prior to use.
4. All footings shall be at least four inches longer and four inches wider than the pier resting upon it, unless smaller dimensions are approved by the section prior to use. (Ord. 2874, 2004; Prior code §4-7-4(part)).

15.10.090 Pier

1. A pier is a vertical structural support that transmits the load from the mobile home chassis to the footing.
2. A pier shall be constructed of a material or materials which have a minimum weight bearing ability equal to or greater than a standard 8" x 8" x 16" minimum celled concrete block. If a celled material, e.g., a celled concrete block or an expanded shell, is used to construct piers, the material shall be installed so the open end of each cell is perpendicular to the frame rail and to the ground.
3. A pier shall be not less than eight nominal inches wide, and in any event shall be the same width as a cap resting upon it.
4. A pier eight inches in height or less may be constructed of more than one piece of material provided each piece has minimum nominal dimensions of 2" x 4" x 16".
5. A pier more than eight inches in height may be constructed of more than one piece of material having minimum nominal dimensions of eight inches wide, eight inches high, and sixteen inches long, provided that the pieces fit flush, one to another.(Ord. 2874, 2004; Prior code §4-7-4 (part)).

15.10.100 Cap

1. A cap is a covering structure that is placed between the pier and shim to provide a surface on which the shims may rest so as to transmit the mobile home load uniformly to the pier bearing surface.
2. All piers shall be topped with a cap not more than four inches in height and not less than eight nominal inches wide and sixteen inches long.
3. Each cap shall be constructed of the same material throughout and may be constructed of more than one piece of material each having minimum nominal dimensions of 1" x 8" x 16". (Ord. 2874, 2004; Prior code §4-7-4(part)).

15.10.110 Shim

1. A shim is a thin tapered slip of wood or metal used to fill in between the cap and mobile home chassis for the purpose of leveling the mobile home.
2. All shims shall be four inches or less in thickness and wide enough to provide bearing over the width of the cap.
3. The shims shall be driven tight between the cap and the frame rail to provide uniform bearing and leveling. (Ord. 2874, 2004; Prior code §4-7-4(part)).

15.10.120 Foundations and piers--use approval

Other types of piers and foundations, including heavy metal adjustable screw columns, of equal performance and weight bearing ability may be used when approved by the administrative authority. Tie-downs shall be provided to resist overturning caused by seismic or wind loadings. (Ord. 2874, 2004; Ord. 2335, 1983: prior code §4-7-4(part)).

15.10.150 Skirting requirements

All mobile homes placed upon mobile home zoned lots shall have the space below the mobile home skirted by weatherproof materials compatible with the exterior design of the mobile home. When such skirting is placed around a mobile home that has combustion air for the furnace and hot water tank taken from beneath the unit, provision shall be taken to louvre the air intake to outside of the skirt. A proper louvre shall be placed over the intake to prevent the entrance of birds and rodents. (Ord. 2874, 2004; Prior code §4-7-7).

15.10.160 Permit—fees

A fee for each permit to place a mobile home on a lot outside of a licensed trailer court shall be paid to the Department of Community Development and the fee therefore shall be as set by City Commission resolution. (Ord. 2874, 2004; Ord. 2280 §1, 1981: prior code §4-7-8).

1 For provisions on mobile home parks, see Ch. 17.87 of this Code.