Mobile-home residents urge board to impose temporary moratorium on rent and fee pass-throughs

Public testimony at the Lake County Board of Supervisors’ May 19 meeting focused heavily on the plight of mobile and manufactured‑home owners facing sharp fee and rent increases ahead of a county rent‑stabilization ordinance (RSO). Dozens of residents from Sterling Shores and other parks told the board they are seeing substantial pass‑through fees and steep rent hikes from park owners and operators, and asked supervisors to adopt an immediate temporary moratorium on increases until the RSO is finalized.

David Barry, an associate manager with the Golden State Manufactured Homeowners League, told the board many residents “own our homes, but we rent the ground underneath them,” making them especially vulnerable to sudden cost increases. Barry said park owners are imposing new fees and rent hikes that can reach hundreds of dollars per month, threatening low‑income homeowners and seniors who rely on fixed incomes.

Sterling Shores residents described recent notices of retroactive or one‑time pass‑through fees—one speaker said a park manager charged a $450 maintenance pass‑through and proposed a 7% annual increase, on top of prior increases. Maya Lynn and Tom Flanigan asked supervisors to protect long‑term residents by adopting a moratorium retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026, to halt fee pass‑throughs while the county completes its RSO. Several speakers said litigation and the costs of challenging unlawful increases are beyond the means of many residents.

Supervisor responses acknowledged the urgency of the complaints and the county’s ongoing work on an RSO. The board did not take immediate action on a moratorium at the meeting; residents said they will press for the county to act before the next meeting. The public comments will be part of the record as staff continues drafting possible measures and evaluating legal and budgetary implications.

The county’s work on an RSO and related protections remains in process. Residents and advocacy groups asked supervisors to consider short‑term, enforceable relief—such as a county moratorium or legal guidance for residents—so people living in parks have immediate protection while longer‑term rules are finalized.