HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Repealing Chapter 23 of Municipal Code; Establishing a Chapter for Mobile Homes cwb/11-13 '-67
ORDINANCE NO. 2246
` AN ORDINANCE REPEALING CHAPTER 23 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, CITY OF
AMES, IOWA; ESTABLISHING A NEW CHAPTER TO BE NUMBERED CHAPTER 23
OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE ENTITLED "MOBILE HOMES AND MOBILE HOME PARK,
DEFINING MOBILE HOMES AND PARKS, PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF
PERMITS THEREFOR; REGULATING MOBILE HOMES AND MOBILE HOME PARKS ;
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF; REPEALING ALL
ORDINANCES AND PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE,
IT IS ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AMES, IOW A:
Section 1. Chapter 23 of the Municipal Code, City of Ames,
Iowa, as hitherto existing, is repealed in its entirety.
Section 2. New sections to be numbered 23-1001 through
23-1028 are added to Chapter 23 of the Municipal Code, City of
Ames, Iowa, and are as follows :
Section 23-1001. Definitions . The following definitions
shall apply to this chapter.
(1) Dependent Mobile Home. A dependent mobile home means
a mobile home which doer not have a flush toilet and a
bathtub, nor a shower. For purposes of regulation under
this ordinance, a dependent mobile home is the same as a
travel trailer, unless otherwise specified.
(2) Independent Mobile Home. An independent mobile home
means a mobile home which has a flush toilet and bath or
shower. Unless otherwise indicated in the text of the
ordinance the term mobile home means an independent
mobile home.
(3) License. License means the annual license issued
by the State Department of Health for a mobile home and/or
a travel trailer park.
(4) Mobile Home. A mobile home means a detached single
family dwelling unit designed for transportation on its
own wheels or on flatbed or other trailers, both highway
and rail, and arriving at the site where it is to be
occupied as a dwelling complete and ready for long term
occupancy, except for minor and incidental unpacking and
assembly operations, location on jacks, connection to
utilities, and similar operations . Unless otherwise
indicated in the text of: this ordinance, the term mobile
home refers to an independent mobile home as defined in
(2) above.
(5) Mobile Home Park. A mobile home park means any plot
of ground upon which two or more mobile homes, occupied
for dwelling or sleeping purposes, are located, regardless
of whether or not a charge is made for such accommodations .
(6) Mobile Home Space. A mobile home space is a plot of
ground within a mobile home park designed for the accommo-
dation of one mobile home, and not located on a mobile
home sales lot.
(7) Park. A park means a mobile home and/or travel
trailer park.
(8) Permits . A permit as used in this chapter means the
permits issued by the City of Ames for mobile homes, travel
trailers, mobile home parks, and travel trailer parks .
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(9) Travel Trailer. A travel trailer means all vehicles
and portable structures built on a chassis, designed as
a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational, and vacation
use , and containing less than 200 square feet of floor
area . For purposes of regulation under this ordinance , a
dependent mobile home is considered to be the same as a
travel trailer, unless otherwise specified .
(10) Travel Trailer Park. A travel trailer park means
any plot of ground upon which two or more travel trailers,
occupied for dwelling or sleeping purposes, are located,
regardless of whether or not a charge is made for such
accommodations.
(11) Travel Trailer Space. A travel trailer space is
a plot of ground within a travel trailer park designed
for accommodation of one travel trailer.
Section 23-1002 Permitting use of premises in violation
of chapter prohibited .
It is unlawful for any person to allow any premises
occupied by him, her or it to be used in violation of
the terms of this chapter. A violation of this chapter
is a misdemeanor and punishable as provided in Section
1-1007 of the Municipal Code , City of Ames, Iowa .
Section 23-1003 Mobile Home Sales lots excepted .
The provisions of this chapter do not apply to unoccupied
mobile homes on sales lots located within the limits of
districts zoned for business or industry within the City.
Section 23-1004 Existing Mobile Home Parks Excepted.
Mobile Home Parks which were in existence and operating
lawfully at the time of the adoption of this ordinance
and which do not meet the requirements of this ordinace ,
may continue to operate in compliance with the Rules and
Regulations Governing the Licensing of Mobile Home Parks '
and amendments thereto aspromulgatedby the State Depart-
ment of Health; however, any expansion of such existing
parks, shall fully comply with the provisions of this
ordinance. Notwithstanding the aforesaid exemption of
existing Mobile Home Parks from the operation of this
ordinance, they shall be governed hereunder by the provi-
sions of Section 23-1006 through 23-1018 hereof inclusive.
Section 23-1005 Restrictions on Parking and Storage of
Mobile Homes and Travel Trailers.
It shall be unlawful for any person , firm or corporation
to park or cause or permit to be parked within the cor-
porate limits of the City, any occupied or unoccupied
_ Mobile Home or Travel Trailer:
(a ) On any public street, alley or highway at
any time between the hours of sunset and sunrise,
or for a period of time in excess of four hours
betweenthe hours of sunrise and sunset;
(b) On any private property, except a licensed
Mobile Home Park or licensed Travel Trailer Park
for a period of time in excess of forty-eight (48)
hours; provided however, that an owner or occupant
of a dwelling may store or permit to be stored
not more than one unoccupied travel trailer on the
premises where such dwelling is situated , which
storage shall be confined to that portion of the
premises not constituting its front yard as defined
by the Zoning Ordinance of this code .
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Section 23-1006. Permanent additions or attachments
prohibited.
No permanent additions or attachments shall be built onto
or become a part of any mobile home, except metal or
fireproof window or doorway awnings or open air awnings
over patio areas in mobile home parks .
Section 23-1007 . Permit required for awnings ; fee.
No window or doorway awning or open air awning over
patio areas shall be added or attached to mobile homes
in mobile home parks until a permit is issued therefor
by the Building Official of the City, upon application
therefor on forms to be furnished by the Building Official,
and the payment of a one dollar ($1. 00) permit fee.
Section 23-1008. Park permits, licenses required.
It is unlawful for any person to begin the construction
and/or operation of a mobile home park within the City
without the owner or lessee first having obtained a
permit therefor as provided in this chapter and a license
to operate and maintain a mobile home park from the
State Department of Health.
Section 23-1009. Application for park permit; contents .
(a) The application for original permit to operate a
mobile home park shall be filed on a form furnished by
the City with the City Manager who shall present the
application to the City Council for consideration at
the first regular meeting following the filing of said
application. The application shall contain the following:
1. Name and address of the applicant.
2. The interest of the applicant in and the
location and legal description of the park.
3 . A complete plan of the park showing compliance
with all applicable provisions of the Municipal
Code, City of Ames , Iowa, and regulations promul-
gated thereunder.
4. Such further information as may be requested
by the City Manager.
(b) Applications for renewals of permits shall be made
in writing by the holder of the permit and shall contain
the following:
1. Any change in the information submitted since
the time the original license was issued or the
latest renewal granted.
2. Other information requested by the City Manager
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(c) A complete plan, for the purpose of obtaining a
license to be issued, shall show:
1. The area and dimensions of the tract of land.
2. The number, locations , and size of all mobile
home or travel trailer spaces .
3 . The locations and width of roadways , walkways ,
buffer strips and recreational areas .
4. The location of community buildings and other
proposed structures .
5 . The location and size of utility lines and
treatment facilities .
6. Plans and specifications of all buildings
and other improvements constructed or to be
constructed within the park.
7. Plan of electric lighting including the
location of exterior park lights and the electric
facilities .
8. Drainage facilities .
9. Fire protection facilities .
Section 23---1010. Approval, issuance of park permit.
The City Council shall consider said application and if
found satisfactory shall instruct the City Clerk, upon
payment of the permit, fee, to issue a mobile home park '
permit and retain a record thereof in his office.
Section 23-1011. Park permit fee; renewal.
The permit fee for a mobile home park is ten dollars
(10.00) for the first year or fraction thereof and such
permit, unless revoked, may be renewed annually upon
the payment of five dollars ($5 . 00) at the office of
the City Clerk.
Section 23 1012. Grounds for park permit revocation.
The conviction of any person, firm or corporation for
violation of this chapter or any other ordinance of the
City or statutes of the State involving moral turpitude
automatically revokes any permit issued under the terms
thereof.
Section 23 1013 . Application for annual park license.
Application for an annual license to operate and maintain
a mobile home park within the corporate limits of the
City shall be filed with the Board of Health of the
City on the forms prescribed b1, the State Department of
t Health.
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Section 23-1014. Approval, Issuance of annual license.
If the local Board of Health approves the application,
it shall authorize the City Clerk to issue a permit for
a license and to forward a copy of such permit together
with the application for the mobile home park to the
State Department of M�,�e,a�tth for the issuance of the
annual license. T� s7ia11 retain a record of such permit
in his office.
Section 23-1015. Permits , licenses to be displayed.
The mobile home park permit issued by the City and the
annual license issued by the State Department of Health
shall be conspicuously displayed in the park office
at all times .
Section 23-1016. Parks to keep records of guests .
The owner, lessee, or attendant in charge of a mobile
home park shall keep a record of all, mible home and travel
owners and occupants located within the park. Said
record shall be available for inspection at any time by
officials and employees of the City and shall contain
the following information:
(a) Name and address of each mobile home occupant;
(b) License number of mobile home and automobile;
(c) State of issuance of such license;
(d) Date of arrival and departure from the park;
(e) Whether or not each mobile home is a dependent
or independent mobile home.
Section 23-1017 . Inspection of mobile home and travel
trailer parks ; written notice required.
The City Manager is authorized and directed to make
inspections to determine the condition of mobile home
and travel trailer parks located within the City of Ames .
Whenever the City Manager finds violations of pertinent
regulations, he shall notify the park operator of such
alleged violation. Such notice shall:
(a) Be in writing;
(b) Include a statement of the reasons for its
issuance;
(c) Contain an outline of remedial action, which
if taken, will effect compliance with provisions
of this ordinance and other pertinent regulations ;
(d) Allow a reasonable time, not to exceed 90 days,
for the performance of any act it requires ; and
(e) Be served upon the owner or his agent as the
case may require; provided that such notice or
order shall be deemed as properly served upon
owner or agent when a copy thereof has been sent
by certified mail to his last known address .
Section 23-1018 . Request for hearing; revocation of permit .
Any person affected by any notice issued under this ordi-
nance, or resulting regulations , may request and shall
be granted a hearing on the matter before the City Council,
provided, that such person shall file with the City Manager
a written request for such hearing and setting forth briefly
the grounds for such request within ten days after the day
the notice was served. The hearing shall be held at the
next City Council meeting, or at a later meeting if so
requested by the petitioner or the City Manager. After
such hearing, the City Manager shall compile the findings
of the City Council and shall issue an order in writing
sustaining, modifying or withdrawing the prior notice which
shall be served as provided in Section 23-1017 (d) . Upon
failure to comply with such order ; the permit of the mobile
home park or travel trailer park shall be revoked.
Section 23--1019. Location, space and general layout of
mobile home and travel trailer parks .
(a) Parks shall be of three types : (1) mobile
home parks , (2) travel trailers parks , and (3)
mixed mobile home and travel trailer parks .
(b) All mobile home parks shall be located on a
well drained site
(c) The minimum area of any park shall be five
acres .. However, parks in existence on the effec-
tive date of this ordinance may be permitted to
expand, regardless of the area of the proposed
addition, provided that they meet all other require-
ments of this ordinance.
(d) Intensity of development shall be limited to
no more than 10 mobile homes per gross acre for
a mobile home park and no more than 15 travel trail-
ers per gross acre for a travel trailer park.
(e) Every mobile home space and travel trailer
space shall be clearly defined by corner markers ..
Each mobile home space shall have a minimum width
of 35 feet and a minimum area of 3 , 000 square feet.
Each travel trailer space shall contain not less
than 1, 000 square feet and shall be at least 25
feet wide.
(f) Mobile homes and travel trailers shall be so
located on each space so that at the nearest point
they shall be at least 15 feet from any other mobile
home, travel trailer, or the exterior boundary of
the park, provided, however, with respect to mobile
homes or travel trailers parked end to end, the end to
end clearance shall not be less than 10 feet. No
mobile home or travel trailer shall be located close
than 5 feet to any access road or walkway of the park.
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(g) It is unlawful to locate a mobile home or
travel trailer less than 25 feet from any public
street or highway right-of-way or so that any part
of such mobile home or travel trailer obstructs
any roadway or walkway of such park.
(h) Not less than 5/0 of the gross area of the park
shall be devoted to recreational facilities , gen-
erally provided in a central location. Recreational
facilities may include adult recreation and child
play areas , swilmtiing pools and other passive and
active recreational facilities .
(i) The park shall have a surfaced entrance and
exit, said entrance and exit, or either of them,
being not less than eighteen feet in width and
plainly marked in the daytime and adequately
lighted at night.
(j) All mobile home spaces shall abut upon an
access road of not less than 20 feet in width if
on-street parking is prohibited and 26 feet in widt
if on-street parking is permitted on one side of
the street only. Access roads must have unobstruct d
access to a public street or highway.
(k) Walkways not less than two feet wide shall be
provided,
(1) All access roads and walkways within a park shill
be hard surfaced, provided however, that new roads
and walkways in newly constructed parks or expansio s
in presently existing parks , may be surfaced with
gravel for a period not to exceed two years from th
date of issuance of a special use permit required
in Chapter 38 of this Code.
(m) Mobile home parks shall abut, whenever possibl ,
and have their major means of ingress and egress on,
at least a secondary thoroughfare as designated on
the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Ames . Travel
trailer parks and mixed parks shall abut, and have
their major means of ingress and egress on at least
primary thoroughfare as designated on the Comprehen-
sive Plan of the City of Ames .
(n) No fewer than two clearly defined parking space
shall be provided within the park for each mobile
home space, at least one of which shall be on or
adjacent to such space. In travel trailer parks
at least one parking space shall be provided for
each travel trailer space either on or adjacent
to the space.
(o) The park shall be landscaped with plant
materials , and a minimum of one tree shall be provided
on each mobile home and travel trailer space.
Section 23-1020. Community buildings for travel trailer
parks .
(a ) Each travel trailer park shall be provided
with at least one community building adequately
equipped with flush-type toilet fixtures and other
sanitary facilities as required in this ordinance.
No community building shall contain less than one
lavatory and shower or bathtub for each sex, and
one laundry tray.
(b) Travel trailer spaces shall not be more than
200 feet from a community building.
(c) Community buildings shall:
1. Be located 25 feet or more from any
travel trailer space
2 . Be of permanent construction and be
adequately lighted
3. Be of moisture resistant material, to
permit frequent washing and cleaning
4. Have adequate heating facilities to
maintain a temperature of 70 degrees faren-
heit during cold weather, and to supply ade-
quate hot water during time of peak demands
5. Have all rooms well ventilated, with all
openings effectively screened.
(d) All community buildings and the grounds of the
park shall be maintained in clean, sightly condi-
tions and kept free from conditions that will menace
the health of any occupant or the public.
Section 23-1021, Water supply for mobile home parks.
(a ) An accessible, adequate, safe and potable
supply of water meeting the sanitary requirements
of the State Department of Health shall be provided
in each park, capable of furnishing a minimum of
200 gallons per day per mobile home space . Where
a public water supply is available within 300 feet,
connection shall be made thereto within one year
and its supply shall be used exclusively.
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If water from a private source is to be used it
shall be tested at intervals of 30 days by the
City of Ames at the expense of the licensee.
(b) The water system of the mobile home park shall
be connected by pipes to all buildings and all
mobile home spaces .
(c) All water piping shall be constructed and
maintained in accordance with state and local
law; the water piping system shall not be connected
with non-potable or questionable water supplies
and shall be protected against the hazards of
backflow or back-siphonage. All water connections
shall be weather tight.
(d) There shall be no common drinking vessel in
toilet compartments.
(e) An abundant supply of hot water shall be
provided at all times for bathing, washing and
laundry facilities .
Section 23-1022. Sewage disposal for mobile home parks .
(a) Waste from showers , bathtubs, flush toilets,
urinals, lavatories , and laundries in community
and other buildings within the park shall be
discharged into a public sewer and disposal plant
or private sewer and lagoon system of such construc-
tion and in such manner as approved by the Iowa
State Department of Health and in accordance
with all applicable ordinances of the City of Ames.
(b) In the event that a public sewer system is or
becomes available within 300 feet of a mobile home
or travel trailer park, connection must be made
to the public system within one year.
(c) Every mobile home occupying a mobile home park
space shall tie into the park sewerage system and
shall dump any accumulated waste into the system.
Every travel trailer shall dump all accumulated
waste into a receptacle provided in the travel
trailer park upon entering and upon leaving the
park. Such receptacles must be approved by the
Iowa State Department. of Health.
Section 23-1023 . Refuse disposal for mobile home parks.
(a) The storage, collections, and disposal of
refuse in the park shall be so managed as to
create no health hazards , rodent harborage, insect-
breeding areas, accident or fire hazards or air
pollution.
(b) All refuse shall be stored in fly tight, rodent
proof, containers , which shall be located within
150 feet of any mobile home or travel trailer
space. Containers shall be provided in sufficient
numbers and capacity to properly store all refuse.
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• (c) All refuse shall be collected at least three
times each week during summer months and twice
each week during winter months . Refuse shall be
buried only at locations and by methods approved
by the City Manager and in accordance with the
ordinances of the City of Ames .
(d) Racks or holders shall be so designed as to
prevent containers from being tipped, to minimize
spillage and container deterioration, and to
facilitate cleaning around them. Lids for containe s
shall be permanently connected to racks or holders
with chains or other flexible materials .
Section 23-1024. Insect and rodent control
(a) Insect and rodent control measures to safe-
guard public health as required by the City
Manager, shall be applied in the park.
(b) Effective larvicidal solutions may be required
by the City Manager for fly or mosquito-breeding
areas which cannot be controlled by other, more
permanent measures .
(c) The City Manager may require the park operator
to take suitable measures to control other insects
and obnoxious weeds .
(d) Accumulations of debris which may provide
harborage for rodents shall not be permitted
in the mobile home park.
(e) When rats or other objectionable rodents are
known to be in the park, the park operator shall
take definite action, as directed by the City
Manager, to exterminate them.
Section 23-1025 . Electricity : exterior lighting.
(a) An electrical outlet supplying at least 50
amperes shall be provided for each mobile home
space. The installation shall comply with all
applicable state and local electrical codes and
ordinances . Such electrical outlets and extension
lines shall be grounded and weatherproofed. No
power supply line shall be permitted to lie on the
ground, and no main power line shall be suspended
less than 18 feet above the ground, unless otherwis
approved by the City Manager.
(,b) Streets and walkways within mobile home and
travel trailer parks shall be lighted with street
lights meeting 2 foot candle average on streets
and 4 foot candle on walkways with 1 to 6
average to dark ratio of uniformity on streets .
Section 23-1026. Fuel.
All piping from outside fuel storage tanks or cylinders
to mobile homes shall be of acceptable material as
determined by the City Manager and shall be permanently
installed and securely fastened in place. All fuel
storage tanks or cylinders shall be securely fastened
in place and shall not be located inside or beneath the
mobile home or less than five feet from any mobile home
exit.
Section 23-1027. Fire protection.
(a ) Park areas shall be kept free of litter,
rubbish and other flammable materials .
(b) Where a public water system with a water main
of six (6) inches or larger is available to the
mobile home park standard fire hydrants shall
be located within 400 feet of each mobile home or
building.
(c) Fires shall be made only in stoves and other
cooking and/or heating equipment intended for such
purposes.
Section 23-1028. Alterations and additions.
All plumbing and electrical alterations or repairs
in the park shall be made in accordance with appli-
cable local regulations.
Section 3. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in
conflict herewith are repealed.
Section 4. This ordinance is in full force and effect
from and after its passage and publication according to law.
Passed this 23rd day of April 1968.
Lo ise Whitcome, City Clerk Stuart N. Smith, Mayor
4/2/68 Moved by Fisher-LeBaron the Ordinance pass on lst reading.
Aye : Thurston, Judge, Fellinger, Newell, LeBaron, Fisher
Nay: None
Ordinance declared passed on 1st reading
4/16/68 Moved by Judge-Thurston the Ordinance pass on 2nd reading.
Aye : Thurston, Judge, Fellinger, Newell, Fisher
Nay: None Absent: LeBaron
Ordinance declared passed on 2nd reading
4/23/68 Moved by Newell-Judge the Ordinance pass on final reading
Aye : Thurston, Judge, Fellinger, Newell, LeBaron, Fisher
Nay: None
Ordinance declared adopted.