Council advances first reading to allow manufactured homes in R‑3 neighborhoods where block character exists

Richland County Council on Dec. 2 considered and moved forward a first‑reading amendment to the county Land Development Code that would allow manufactured homes in R‑3 zoning only where the existing character of the block already includes manufactured homes.

Gionar Price, deputy director in Community Planning and Development, told council the current R‑3 zoning in the adopted code does not permit manufactured homes because of an equivalency mapping from the previous code; the proposed amendment would permit manufactured homes in R‑3 only if at least 50% of lots on the same side of a block already contain manufactured homes.

"What this code does… is it allows manufactured homes to be located in the R‑3 zoning designation, but only if the character of the area has been developed with manufactured homes," Price said. He emphasized the requirement is locally constrained: a developer could not establish a manufactured‑home community on a vacant 10‑acre tract simply by invoking the amendment.

Council members pressed for clarity about how a "block" is defined and how the 50% threshold is applied. Price said a block is defined by the area between two intersecting streets and that county staff will apply the 50% rule on the same side of a block. Councilwoman Cooper noted the distinction matters in rural areas where intersections are far apart; Price said AG, AGM and R‑T and some R‑1 districts already permit manufactured homes as a right and the amendment aims to restore permissibility where it was omitted.

After discussion, the council approved the item on the consent agenda with one recorded 'No' vote. Councilmembers emphasized the amendment is intended to preserve existing community character while allowing owners in established manufactured‑home neighborhoods to replace units.