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Commission to hold public hearing on draft rules for modular homes and portable units
Summary
The commission voted to place proposed zoning changes—defining modular homes and tightening rules on portable storage, shipping containers and office trailers—on the Dec. 18 agenda for public hearing after staff said the changes would allow the Board of Adjustment to require neighborhood-appropriate conditions.
The Terrebonne Parish Regional Planning Commission voted to place proposed zoning amendments on the December 18 meeting agenda for public hearing. Staff circulated draft language that would (1) add a concise definition of "modular home," (2) make modular placement in certain residential districts subject to Board of Adjustment special-exception review, and (3) expand prohibitions on using portable storage units, shipping containers and office trailers as permanent accessory structures or dwellings.
Administration explained the technical difference between modular and mobile homes: modular homes are "built to international building code standards" whereas mobile homes are built to HUD standards. Administration proposed a short definition: "a prefabricated structure built to international building code standards, assembled on-site from factory built modules." Staff said moving modulars in R-1, R-2, R2M and R-3 to a special-exception process would allow the Board of Adjustment to place conditions—such as architectural options—so new modular units better match neighborhood character.
Staff also recommended clarifying supplementary-yard regulations to explicitly prohibit the permanent use of portable storage units, shipping containers and office trailers in residential districts, noting recent local examples where Connex boxes and office trailers were later used as dwellings.
Commissioners asked questions about foundations and code alignment. Administration said permanent foundations remain required and that modular units must meet local/state requirements such as wind-load and base flood elevation. Commissioners raised concerns about contractor competitiveness and keeping local code references up to date; one commissioner urged adding language that references local, state and international code as applicable. Administration said the draft would be refined and that the public notice will highlight only the additions (bold/underline) in the code packet.
A motion by Commissioner Rogers to place the item on the Dec. 18 agenda for public hearing passed by voice vote.
