Manufactured Homes Rezoning: Making Space for the Future
As more and more people are learning of the benefits of manufactured housing’s price and building process, city councils are reconsidering their outdated zoning codes to allow even more efficient builds! It could soon become easier to build manufactured or modular homes all over the country, much like this new decision in Clark County, Oregon. And all of this thanks to manufactured homes rezoning.
Late last year, the Clark County Council considered an ordinance that would remove restrictions currently in place on manufactured homes and other forms of prefabricated housing, according to The Columbian staff writer Jake Thomas. In his published article, he wrote the following details of the upcoming deliberations,
“The ordinance is part of an initiative launched last year intended to ease the area’s housing crunch by spurring the development of more housing options. Earlier this year, the county council passed a measure easing regulations on accessory dwelling units, small additions to existing houses that typically come in the form of a converted basement, as well as cottage-style housing developments.”
Luckily, many sections of America are beginning to benefit from this ease on the zoning requirements of manufactured homes and other prefabricated structures. As the word gets out, more and more people see that the benefits of the new housing are far and beyond better than these old laws that had in mind a different kind of structure entirely. Oregon and the rest of the North Western United States have been a huge benefiting area of this rise in manufactured homes and modular homes, and Clark County is deciding on making the change itself.
According to Laurie Lebowsky, a Clark County planner, the changes are being made to align the county’s code with changes to state law. In her words:
“Bottom line, in terms of state law, you cannot regulate manufactured housing more than any other kind of housing.”
The proposed ordinance would remove a large section of code regulating manufactured homes and allow the structures to be placed on individual lots. The ordinance also expands the definition of single-family detached dwellings to include manufactured or modular homes. The ordinance clarifies the difference between “mobile homes” and “manufactured homes.” A manufactured home, under the ordinance, is a single-family home constructed after June 15, 1976, in accordance with state and federal standards. Mobile homes would be defined by the ordinance as a transportable structure made before June 15, 1976, that is built on a permanent chassis, is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation and is not a recreational vehicle. The ordinance would allow recreational vehicles in manufactured home parks if they obtain required permits.
All of this points to a friendlier and more capable Oregon to solve the housing crunch that the rest of the US is currently feeling. A big detractor from possible installations, manufactured home rezoning is set to allow innovation and new homes to satisfy all the needs of the new housing market.
Image: Getty
