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Commissioners give first reading to manufactured-home ordinance changes requiring certified home-inspection reports
Summary
The board approved first reading of an amendment to Chapter 50 to require certified home-inspection reports for mobile/manufactured homes being moved into the county; the amendment references certification by the American Society of Home Inspectors as an example and removes a previously listed $500 fee.
The Hart County Board of Commissioners approved a first reading March 11 of proposed changes to Chapter 50 (manufactured home trailers) that would require a certified home-inspection report for manufactured homes before issuance of a business license or placement on a lot.
County staff said the change is intended to ensure a home meets health-and-safety standards when moved into the county. The staff presentation noted Georgia does not require statewide licensing of home inspectors, but professional certification is available; the draft amendment cites certification by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) as an example of an acceptable credential.
The proposed ordinance removes a previously listed $500 county fee for an inspector visit and instead requires a home inspection report from a certified inspector that documents compliance with the county’s safety-condition standards. The draft also clarifies who may accept applications and reports for code enforcement, including the code enforcement officer or other designated agent, with fallback to the county administrator if needed.
County attorney (Kim) told the board she included a definition of “home inspector” from the ASHI language and that the change would mean homes would need a certified inspection rather than relying solely on the county building inspector’s limited mobile-home checklist. She said the state considered a home-inspector certification bill in 2008 that was vetoed, which is why certification currently exists via national organizations rather than a state licensing program.
Commissioner Bridal (mover) made a motion to take the change as a first reading; Commissioner Dorsey seconded the motion. The board voted 5-0 to adopt first reading and move the ordinance forward for subsequent readings.
The transcript records the board’s first-reading approval but does not record any final ordinance text or an adopted effective date.
