Planning commission backs administrative code changes to allow prefabricated and manufactured dwellings

Planning staff presented administrative text amendments to align City of Sandy code with House Bill 4064, which requires local governments to allow manufactured and prefabricated dwellings wherever single-unit dwellings are allowed. The commission recommended the City Council approve the proposed text amendments and supporting findings.

Staff explained the changes are primarily administrative clarifications intended to remove barriers to prefabricated and manufactured housing: these dwellings must be reviewed under the same standards applied to single-unit dwellings, and local regulations cannot impose more restrictive design standards than those applied to site-built homes. The amendments also clarify that prefabricated dwellings may be allowed in manufactured-dwelling parks and that local permitting should not impose undue constraints inconsistent with the state law.

Commissioners discussed whether prefabricated or mass-timber construction would be widely used locally and raised concerns about tenant protections if people invest in a home placed on leased manufactured-home-park land. Commissioner O’Leary suggested considering provisions for units that are designed to be 'ready to convert' to accessible units or otherwise adaptable; staff said those items could be considered in subsequent rulemaking.

A motion to recommend the City Council approve the text amendments (Exhibit A) supported by findings (Exhibit B) was moved and seconded. The commission voted in favor and the motion passed. The hearing closed and the meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.