§ 78-39. Mobile home/manufactured home minimum construction standards.

Each newly installed mobile home/manufactured home in the county shall conform to the minimum construction standards required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as required by the National Mobile Home and Safety Standards Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C., Section 5401, et seq., before that mobile home/manufactured home is entitled to receive any utility service to such mobile home/manufactured home. It is the intent of this section to prohibit moving mobile homes/manufactured homes into the county that do not conform to the applicable Housing and Urban Development Construction Standards, as expressed in 42 U.S.C. Section 5401, et seq., and regulations established pursuant to that act. To that end, no mobile home/manufactured home shall be allowed to locate for permanent or temporary occupancy in the county unless that mobile home/manufactured home complies with the minimum construction standards required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which compliance must be evidenced by the affixation of a permanently affixed label or tag certifying to the compliance as required by 42 U.S.C. Section 5415. Mobile homes/manufactured homes which do not display the certification required by 42 U.S.C. Section 5415 shall not be eligible for a county mobile home and/or occupancy permit; provided however, any mobile home which legally exists in the county at the time of the passage of the ordinance from which this article is derived shall not require such certification. Said existing mobile home shall be freely transferable and re-locatable in Gilmer County, provided that said mobile home has been inspected and approved by the building inspector for the following items.

(1)

Interior condition. Every floor, interior wall, and ceiling of a pre-owned manufactured home shall be in sound condition. Doors and windows shall be operable, watertight and in good working condition. The floor system shall be in sound condition and free of warping, holes, water damage, or deterioration.

(2)

Exterior condition. The exterior of all pre-owned manufactured homes shall be free of loose or rotting boards or timbers and any other conditions that might admit rain or moisture to the interior portions of the walls or to occupied spaces. The exterior siding shall be free of rot and rust. Roofs shall be structurally sound and have no obvious defects that might admit rain or cause moisture to collect on the interior portion of the home.

(3)

Sanitary facilities. Every plumbing fixture, water, and waste pipe of a pre-owned manufactured home shall be in a sanitary working condition when properly connected, and shall be free from leaks and obstructions. Each home shall contain a kitchen sink. Each bathroom shall contain a lavatory and water closet. At least one bathroom shall contain a tub and/or shower facilities. Each of these fixtures shall be checked upon being connected to ensure they are in good working condition.

(4)

Heating systems. Heating shall be safe and in working condition. Un-vented heaters shall be prohibited.

(5)

Electrical systems (switches, receptacles, fixtures, etc.) shall be properly installed and wired and shall be in working condition. Distribution panels shall be in compliance with the approved listing, complete with required breakers, with all unused openings covered with solid covers approved and listed for that purpose. The home shall be subject to an electrical continuity test to assure that all metallic parts are properly bonded. Each pre-owned manufactured home shall contain a water heater in safe and working order.

(6)

Hot water supply. Each home shall contain a water heater in safe and working condition.

(7)

Egress windows. Each bedroom of a manufactured home shall have at least one operable window of sufficient size to allow egress if necessary.

(8)

Ventilation. The kitchen in the home shall have at least one operating window or other ventilation device.

(9)

Smoke detectors. Each pre-owned manufactured home shall contain one operable battery-powered smoke detector in each bedroom and in the kitchen, which must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

(Res. No. 10-072, 8-26-2010)