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Lockhart council votes to remove manufactured homes from two residential zones
Summary
City Council approved an amendment to Chapter 64 that removes manufactured homes as a use eligible for a specific-use permit in Medium- and High-Density residential zones; modular homes remain allowed. The 6–1 vote follows a unanimous Planning & Zoning recommendation and comes as state law changes loom in 2026.
Lockhart City Council on Monday approved an ordinance removing manufactured homes from the list of uses that can be approved by specific-use permit (SUP) in the city’s Residential Medium Density and Residential High Density zoning districts.
The change amends Chapter 64 of the city code, striking language in section 64-196 that permitted manufactured homes in those districts only with a SUP and removing a sentence in section 64-200 that described requirements for placing manufactured homes on individual residential lots. Modular homes — built to the International Residential Code and assembled on site — will continue to be permitted where compatible with surrounding development.
The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval 6–0. At council, the motion to adopt the ordinance was made by Councilmember Anthony Castillo and seconded by Councilmember Larson; the ordinance passed on a 6–1 vote. The council record does not name individual yea/nay votes in the transcript.
City staff told council the change responds in part to recent local appeals of SUP denials and to a new state law, Senate Bill 785, that takes effect Sept. 1, 2026. Under SB 785, cities cannot require SUPs for manufactured homes in zoning districts where other housing types are allowed by right; staff said one approach consistent with the statute is to confine manufactured homes to the city’s existing MH (manufactured home) district, where manufactured-home parks already exist in Lockhart.
Council debate mixed two themes: several members said the change helps protect established neighborhoods and property values, while others raised affordability concerns and urged the city to ensure there are viable places for manufactured homes to locate. Staff noted there is at least one vacant parcel already zoned MH north of Silent Valley Road and that developers have inquired about manufactured-home parks, but no new park projects were underway.
Under current state and local rules, existing manufactured homes generally remain lawful and may be replaced once; the ordinance will affect where new manufactured homes may be sited going forward. Councilmembers also confirmed modular homes — which are built to the same building code as site-built houses — remain an option in residential zoning.
The ordinance is the council’s chosen local approach to the issue; staff told council the city would still need to act before SB 785 becomes effective next year to avoid a potential conflict with state law.
Councilmembers who spoke during the discussion included Councilmember Castillo (mover), Councilmember Larson (seconder), Councilmember Fielding, and Councilmember Westmoreland. Planning & Zoning testimony and staff analysis were presented by David Fowler (staff member).
