HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8160 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8160
_ To the Mayor and Members of the City Council November 4, 1998
ur s
* '•_• Subject: REGULATIONS AFFECTING MOBILE HOMES,
�
MANUFACTURED HOUSING, AND INDUSTRIALIZED
HOMES
Background
The City Council will hear zoning case Z-98-121 on November 10, 1998. This case was
continued from the October 13 zoning hearing. The applicant, AVO, Inc., seeks to rezone
166 acres of land adjacent to the Fort Worth Nature Center from "AG" Agricultural to
"A" Single Family. At the October hearing, there was considerable discussion regarding
manufactured housing and the type of housing that can be placed in the "A" Single
Family District versus "MH" Mobile Home District. This informal report provides the
Council with information regarding mobile homes, manufactured homes (also called
HUD-code manufactured homes), industrial housing (also called modular housing), and
how the City and State regulate these types of housing. This report does not address
regulations pertaining to the use of manufactured housing as construction trailers or
temporary housing for security at industrial or commercial sites.
Discussion
0 , Fort Worth Zoning Reiulations
The Zoning Ordinance regulates the placement of both mobile homes and manufactured
homes within the city limits. Both types of housing may be located within a"MH"
Mobile Home District, but are prohibited from locating within any other residential
zoning district.
Within a"MH" Mobile Home District, both mobile homes and manufactured houses may
be located in a mobile home park or a mobile home subdivision. A mobile home park is a
unified development of lots under a single ownership and typically provides leased
spaces for the location of mobile homes or manufactured homes. These parks are
regulated under Chapter 13 of the City Code. These regulations specify all site
development regulations, utility connections, and other development standards. A mobile
home subdivision consists of a development with individually platted lots with access to
dedicated public or private streets. The lots may be individually owned as in any other
residential subdivision.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8160
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council November 4, 1998
Page 2 of 2
X Subject:
1873 REGULATIONS AFFECTING MOBILE HOMES,
MANUFACTURED HOUSING, AND INDUSTRIALIZED
HOMES
State Regulations
The State of Texas defines and regulates both mobile homes and manufactured homes,
including "HUD-code manufactured homes". Mobile homes are defined as structures
constructed before June 15, 1976 that meet specific standards of size and construction.
HUD-code manufactured homes are defined as structures constructed on or after June 15,
1976 and conform to the rules of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development as well as other specific standards of size and construction.
State law expressly allows the prohibition of new locations of"mobile homes" within the
city limits, while "HUD-code manufactured homes" and "manufactured homes" may not
be prohibited. However, state law does allow a city to designate appropriate areas for the
location of manufactured homes. In Fort Worth, the "MH"Mobile Home District has
been designated as the appropriate zoning district for these homes.
A third type of home, an industrialized or modular home, is constructed in facilities,
licensed and inspected by the Texas Department on Licensing and Regulation and erected
on a permanent foundation system. Under Texas law, this type of home must be allowed
to locate wherever conventional, "stick-built"homes are allowed. These homes must be
produced in a facility that is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation.
Conclusion
The City of Fort Worth allows both mobile homes and manufactured homes to be located
within the city in any area zoned "NM"Mobile Home District. These locations include
both mobile home parks and mobile home subdivisions. Industrialized housing and
conventional housing may be located within any residential zoning district (including
multi-family districts) except "ME" districts.
Bob Terrell
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS