Committee sticks with state code on mobile‑home age limits, discusses tiny‑home cabins and RV rules

The Orangeville Planning and Zoning Committee discussed proposed local limits on the age of mobile homes allowed into city mobile‑home parks and whether to add standards beyond state code. Staff presented examples from other jurisdictions, including an example of a 25‑year threshold used elsewhere, and recommended additional research and a training meeting before drafting any ordinance.

"I personally like the idea of not having real old trailers coming in here," said Seth during the discussion, reflecting concern about older units' safety and maintenance. Park owners and residents countered that stricter local cutoffs could disproportionately affect lower‑income residents and existing park occupants; one owner warned, "Only person that's hurt really is me," when asked who would be affected by a tighter year cutoff.

Members discussed technical distinctions between mobile homes and manufactured homes, inspection and transport requirements under state code, and the difference between RV parks and mobile‑home parks (RV parks often use 30‑day contracts to avoid establishing residency). Committee members agreed to continue to follow state code for the time being and to table a local ordinance until staff can prepare recommended language and hold a training session on state requirements.

The discussion also touched on tiny cabins and non‑permanent structures: staff said the cabins being proposed would be moveable, not permanent, and gave an 800‑square‑foot maximum example for some tiny‑home classifications. No ordinance or numeric year threshold was adopted at the meeting.