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Jefferson County adopts rewritten land-use table, tightens standards for manufactured homes and new uses
Summary
After public comment and staff presentation, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners approved Ordinance 2024-414, which reorganizes the county land-use table, defines mobile vs. manufactured homes, adds cottage-home standards and imposes conditional-use rules for several commercial and industrial activities.
Jefferson County commissioners on Oct. 11 approved Ordinance 2024-414, a rewrite of Chapter 112 that consolidates the county land-use table and adds detailed definitions and requirements for residential, commercial and industrial uses.
Milton, a county planning staff member, told the board the rewritten code places the land-use table in one location and adds definitions intended to make the rules easier for residents and developers to use. "We reworked the land-use table in conjunction with the uses," Milton said, outlining new entries such as cottage homes limited to 1,600 square feet and rules requiring manufactured homes to be placed on permanent foundations.
The ordinance distinguishes mobile homes (constructed before June 15, 1976) from newer manufactured homes and permits mobile homes only in suburban neighborhood and agriculture zones. Milton also said newly installed manufactured homes must be 15 years old or newer unless approved through a conditional-use permit, and the code raises traffic- and safety-related requirements for new school sites and portable classrooms.
Commissioners and planning staff added or clarified standards for public-utility facilities, industrial uses (including administrative permitting for temporary asphalt or concrete batch plants inside gravel pits), and recreation and indoor amusement facilities, citing safety and occupancy concerns. Commissioners noted the change is intended to address growth and to give clearer direction for permit applicants.
During the public hearing, residents spoke about specific projects that would be affected: Charles Love, a property owner, described a proposed solar lease on family land and said, "The lease is for, 35 years, and there's a 5 year discovery period." Candace, another resident, said the lease terms require the company to control weeds, fence the site and restore the land at the end of the project.
Commissioners praised the Planning & Zoning Commission and staff for the work and approved the ordinance by voice roll call. Milton and staff said the code will be refined as the county receives questions and permit applications.
The ordinance takes effect as an updated reference point for applicants and county staff; Planning & Zoning will field questions and can propose subsequent amendments if implementation reveals gaps.
