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Planning commission initiates zoning text amendment to implement state rules for 'qualified manufactured homes'
Summary
The commission voted unanimously July 24 to initiate a zoning ordinance text amendment to implement requirements from a new state law (House Bill 160) that treats qualifying manufactured homes like site‑built single‑family houses; staff outlined minimum qualifying criteria and a timeline for review.
The Lexington‑Fayette Urban County Planning Commission unanimously initiated a zoning ordinance text amendment July 24 to bring local rules into compliance with a new state requirement for “qualified manufactured homes.”
Planning staffer Daniel Crone described the proposal as an implementation step required by state law: if a manufactured home meets certain criteria, it must be treated the same as a single‑family residence in applicable zones. Crone summarized the staff’s draft and the public review schedule.
Why it matters: the change will affect how new, modern manufactured homes (built to federal Manufactured Home construction standards and meeting state criteria) are sited and permitted in residential zones; local overlays such as historic districts would still apply to those structures.
Key points from staff - Daniel Crone said a qualifying manufactured home must generally be: constructed within the last five years, have transport apparatus removed and be affixed to a permanent foundation, be at least 20 feet wide, and be at least 900 square feet (with limited exceptions for very small lots). He noted units that do not meet these criteria remain regulable under existing local rules. - Timeline in staff materials: initiation was approved; committees will review drafted text in early September, a planning commission zoning hearing is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 25, and the Urban County Council would act later. Local code changes must be in place by July 1, 2026 to meet the state deadline.
Commission action Commissioner Penn moved to initiate the zoning ordinance text amendment; Commissioner Barksdale seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Clarifying details - Deadline to enact local implementing language: July 1, 2026. - Basic qualifying criteria cited by staff: ≤5 years old, permanently affixed foundation, wheels removed, ≥20 ft width, >900 sq ft (exceptions possible for very small lots).
Ending Staff will circulate draft language for committee review and public comment this summer and fall. The initiation vote sends the item forward for formal drafting and public hearings ahead of the state compliance deadline.
