Supervisors urge review of trailer-park ordinances and consider tiny homes as affordable-housing tool

YORK COUNTY — Supervisors used open discussion May 5 to flag problems with trailer parks and to ask county planning and code staff to review local ordinances that govern occupancy, drainage and services. The board also discussed tiny homes and accessory dwellings as possible components of an affordable-housing approach, subject to utility and site requirements.

One supervisor said trailer parks were sometimes occupied by multiple households with inadequate drainage and sewer access and requested the county's ordinances be reviewed to identify improvements that could be returned to the board. The supervisor requested staff examine enforcement and code gaps and report back with recommended changes.

On housing alternatives, supervisors discussed tiny homes and accessory dwelling units as ways to provide lower-cost options without creating concentrated, low-quality developments. "We just need to be smarter about setting up the right guardrails and conditions for that," a supervisor said, citing concerns about utilities and sewer access as prerequisites for any tiny-home program.

Why it matters: The board framed the review as proactive: supervisors said they prefer to plan local solutions before state mandates require changes. They emphasized balancing affordability with neighborhood quality and the need to avoid unintended concentrations of substandard housing.

Next steps: Board members asked staff to review trailer-park ordinances and planning options for tiny homes and accessory dwellings and to return with proposals for possible ordinance or policy changes.