Regulations set forth in this section [article] are the district regulations in the MHP—Mobile Home Park District.

Uses. In MHP—Mobile Home Park District, no building or land shall be used and no building shall be hereafter erected[,] reconstructed, enlarged or converted, unless otherwise provided in this ordinance, except for one or more of the following uses:

(1)

Mobile homes.

(2)

Management offices.

(3)

Laundry facilities.

(4)

Indoor recreational facilities.

(5)

Special permit use, as provided herein.

License.

(1)

No person, firm or corporation shall operate any mobile home park within the Mobile Home Park District of the Town of Hickory Creek, Texas, unless he holds a valid license approved for the current year by the Town Council in the name of such person, firm or corporation, for the specific park. All applications for licenses shall be made in writing on forms furnished by the Town Building Official, who shall issue a license upon compliance by the applicant with the provisions of this article. When a certificate of occupancy must be issued for every permanent structure and Mobile Home located within every Mobile Home Park and obtained immediately for each new arrival [sic].

(2)

Application for the original license shall be in writing, signed by the applicant, accompanied by an affidavit of the applicant as to the truth of the application and by the deposit of the license fee hereinafter provided, and shall contain:

(a)

The name and address of the applicant.

(b)

The location and legal description of the park.

(c)

A plot, plan of the park, showing all mobile home structures, roads, walkways and other service facilities.

(d)

Before the original license or renewal license is issued, the Town Building Official shall be assured of complete compliance with all provisions of this article.

(3)

Application for renewal of licenses shall be made in writing by the licensee on forms furnished by the Town Building Official, on or before January 1st of each year. Such applications shall contain any change in the information occurring after the original license was issued for the latest renewal granted.

(4)

All original license applications or renewals thereof shall be accompanied by a fee according to the "Application and Fee Schedule" resolved by the Town Council. The original fee shall be prorated on the nearest quarterly basis between the date of the original license and January 1st of each year.

(5)

Licenses issued under the provisions of this article shall be personal to the grantee and shall not be transferred. A new license will be issued to any new owner upon compliance with the provisions hereof.

(6)

Whenever, upon inspection of any mobile home park, the Town Building Official after consultation with the County Health Director and the Town Fire Chief, finds that conditions or practices exist which are in violation of any provision of this article, he shall give notice in writing to the licensee that unless such conditions or practices are corrected within a reasonable period of time specified in such notice, the license shall be suspended. At the end of such period of time, the Town Building Official shall reinspect such park, requesting assistance from other Town Departments as may be required and if such conditions or practices have not been corrected, he shall immediately suspend the license and give notice in writing of such suspension to the licensee. Upon receipt of notice of such suspension, licensee shall cease operation of such park, except as provided herein. An original license application must be submitted, with fees, to reopen the mobile home park.

(7)

The Town Building Official, the Town Health Director, the Fire Chief, the Fire Marshall and the Police Chief are hereby authorized and directed to make such inspections as necessary to determine compliance with this article.

(8)

The Town Building Official, the Town Health Director, the Fire Chief, the Fire Marshall and the Police Chief, or other Town Official, shall have the power to enter at reasonable time upon any private or public property for the purpose of inspecting and investigating conditions relating to the enforcement of this article and for the maintenance of the utilities.

(9)

The Town Building Official, the County Health Director, the Fire Chief, the Fire Marshall, and the Police Chief shall have the power and authority in discharging their official duties to inspect the register containing a record of all residents of the mobile home park.

(10)

It shall be the duty of every occupant of a mobile home within a licensed park to give the licensee, his agent or authorized employee, access to any part of such park at reasonable times for the purpose of making such repairs, or alterations as are necessary to effect compliance with this article.

(11)

Whenever it is determined that there are grounds to believe that there has been a violation of any provisions of this article, the Town Building Official shall give notice of such alleged violation to the licensee or agent as hereinafter provided. Such notice shall:

(a)

Be in writing.

(b)

Include a statement of the reasons for its issuance.

(c)

Allow a reasonable time for the performance of the act it requires.

(d)

Be served upon the licensee or his agent; provided that such notice or order shall be deemed to have been properly served upon such licensee or his agent when a copy thereof has been sent by mail to last known address, or when he has been served with such notice by any method authorized or required by the laws of this State.

(e)

Contain an outline of remedial action which, if taken will effect compliance with the provisions of this article.

(12)

Any person, firm or corporation affected by the refusal of the Town Building Official to issue a permit under the provisions hereof, may request and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the Board of Adjustment; provided that such person shall file within ten days after the day the permit was refused in the office of the Town Building Official, a written petition requesting such hearing and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds therefore [therefor]. At such hearing the petitioner shall be given an opportunity to be heard and to show why such permit should be issued.

(13)

Any person, firm or corporation affected by any notice which has been issued in connection with the enforcement of any provision of this article, by the Town Building Official, may request and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the Board of Adjustment, provided that such person shall file within ten days after the day the notice was served in the office of the Town Secretary, a written petition requesting such hearing and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds therefor. The filing of the request for a hearing shall operate as a stay of the notice and of the suspension. Upon receipt of such petition, the Town Secretary shall set a time and place for such hearing and shall give the petitioner written notice thereof. At such hearing the petitioner shall be given an opportunity to be heard and to show why such notice should be modified or withdrawn.

Area regulations.

(1)

Front Yard. There shall be a front yard having a depth of 15 feet from the nearest corner of the mobile home.

There shall be a minimum yard having a depth of 15 feet to any adjoining public street.

(2)

Side Yard. The minimum distance from the side of the mobile home to any adjacent stand line shall not be less than 20 feet.

(3)

Rear Yard. There shall be a rear yard having a depth of not less than 15 feet.

(4)

Area of Lot. Each stand shall provide a minimum area of 3,500 square feet; however, no stand shall average less than 40 feet in width or less than 80 feet in depth.

(5)

Height Regulations. The height limit for any mobile home shall be 18 feet. The height of the mobile home frame above the ground elevation, measured at 90° to the frame, shall not be greater than three feet.

Building Regulations.

(1)

Screening. There shall be constructed and maintained a permanent screening devise [device] not less than five feet in height on all sides of the park, except where natural barriers exist to form all or part of such a screen, or where roadways exist to create a traffic hazard.

(2)

Soil and Ground Cover. Exposed ground surfaces in all parts of the park shall be paved, covered with stone screenings or other solid material, or protected with a vegetative growth, that is capable of preventing soil erosion and eliminate dust.

(3)

Drainage. The ground surface in all parts of a park shall be graded and equipped to drain all surface water in a safe, efficient manner. The adequacy of drainage facilities shall be verified by a licensed professional engineer at the expense of the mobile home park owner.

(4)

Design and Location of Storage Facilities. Storage facilities with a minimum capacity of 200 cubic feet per stand may be provided on the stand or in compounds located within 100 feet of each stand. Storage facilities shall be designed in a manner that will enhance the appearance of the park and shall be faced with masonry, porcelained steel, baked enameled steel or other material equal in fire resistance, durability and appearance, or of an equal material approved by the Town Building Official.

(5)

Mobile Home Stands. the area of the mobile home stand shall be improved to provide adequate support for the placement of the mobile home.

Traffic Circulations. Internal streets shall be privately owned, built and maintained, and shall be designed for safe and convenient access to all stands and parking spaces and to facilities for common use of park residents.

(1)

Internal streets or common access route.

(a)

An internal street or common access route shall be provided to each stand. The street shall be a minimum of 30 feet in width, except where otherwise approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The internal street shall be continuous and connect with other streets in the park or with public streets or shall be provided with a cul-de-sac having a minimum radius of 60 feet. No internal street ending in a cul-de-sac shall exceed 400 feet in length.

(b)

All streets shall be constructed to meet the minimum specifications for streets within the Town of Hickory Creek, Texas, except for curbing. A concrete lay down curb or acceptable substitute shall be used as provided by the Town Building Official.

(2)

Surfacing, location of off-street parking. Off-street parking shall be hard surfaced with all weather materials, and located to eliminate interference with access to parking areas provided for other mobile homes, and for public parking within the park.

(3)

Maintenance of internal streets. Internal streets shall be maintained free of cracks, holes and other hazards at the expense of the licensee.

(4)

Numbering, naming of streets. All streets within each park shall be numbered or named in an approved manner.

(5)

Intersecting of interior streets adjoining public streets. Interior streets shall intersect adjoining public streets at 90° and at locations which will eliminate or minimize interference with the traffic on those public streets.

(6)

Posting of signs. At each entrance to the park, an 18 inches by 24 inches sign should be posted, stating "Private Drive, No Thru Traffic". The licensee may also post a speed limit sign on this same post.

Parking Regulations.

(1)

Adequate off-street parking space shall be provided to meet the requirements of the development; there shall be a minimum of two off-street parking spaces for each mobile home, and in addition thereto a minimum parking area of 150 square feet per mobile home space shall be provided for storage of boats or vehicles in excess of the two parking spaces per mobile home unit.

(2)

Off-street driveways and parking areas shall be curbed, paved and maintained to Town of Hickory Creek, Texas specifications so as to eliminate dust or mud and shall be 80 graded and drained as to dispose of all surface water.

(3)

No parking area or vehicle storage area shall be used for the storage or parking of any truck, truck trailer or van, or house trailer.

Recreation Area. All parks shall have at least one recreation area, located as to be free of traffic hazards, easily accessible to all park residents, and centrally located where topography permits.

(1)

Not less than eight percent of the gross park area shall be devoted to recreational facilities, generally in a central location. In large parks this may be decentralized. Recreation areas include space for community buildings and community uses, such as adult recreation and child play areas, and swimming pools, but not including vehicle parking, commercial, maintenance and utilities areas.

(2)

When playground space is provided, it shall be so designated and shall be protected from traffic, thoroughfares and parking areas. Such space shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and free of dangerous conditions and hazards.

(3)

Swimming pools shall be subject to approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission after taking into consideration the location and size of the plot, the site; the detailed plans of such swimming pool and any required accessories and such other factors as may be required for the health, safety and general welfare of the community. In addition, the Planning and Zoning Commission may require that any swimming pool including mechanical equipment, be located at such distance from any property line as not to interfere with the peace, comfort and repose of the occupants of any adjoining building or residence. Any lights illuminating such swimming pools shall be so erected as to eliminate direct rays and minimize reflected rays of light on adjoining premises. A minimum four foot permanent fence or wall must be erected and maintained around said pool and such fence or wall must be not more than 20 feet distance at any one point from the edge of the pool. The fence or wall must be provided with a gate equipped with a gravity lock and be locked at all times.

Water Supply. An accessible, adequate, safe and potable supply of water meeting State standards, shall be provided in each Mobile Home Park.

(1)

The water supply system of the park shall be connected by pipes to all mobile home stands, buildings and other facilities requiring water.

(2)

All water piping, fixtures, and other equipment shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with State and Town regulations and requirements.

(3)

The water mains shall be placed within a properly dedicated easement to allow adequate maintenance.

(4)

Individual water meters will be provided for each mobile home stand.

(5)

Individual water riser pipes shall be located within the confined area of the outside perimeter walls of the mobile home at a point where the water connection will approximate a vertical position.

(6)

Water riser service pipes shall extend at least four inches above ground elevation. The pipe shall be at least three-quarter inch. The water outlet shall be capped in an approved manner when the stand is unoccupied.

(7)

Adequate provisions shall be made to prevent freezing of service lines, valves and riser pipes. Surface drainage shall be diverted from the location of the riser pipe.

(8)

A shutoff valve below the frost line shall be provided near each water riser pipe.

(9)

Underground stop and waste valves shall not be installed on any water service.

Sewage Disposal.

(1)

An adequate and safe sewage disposal system shall be provided in all mobile home parks for conveying and disposing of all sewage. The sewer system for a park shall be constructed in accordance with the plumbing code. All proposed sewage disposal facilities shall be approved by the Town Building Official prior to construction. The use of septic tanks for the disposal of sewage shall not be approved. Effluents from sewage treatment facilities shall not be discharged into any water of the State, except with prior approval of the Town Health Director and the appropriate regulatory agency of the State.

(2)

All sewer lines should be located in trenches of sufficient depth to provide a minimum of three feet of cover to the installed sewers beneath the finished grade or contour above them. Any sewer lines installed with less than three feet of cover shall be concrete encased in approved manner. All sewers shall be separated from the park water lines by a minimum distance of five feet horizontally and five feet vertically. Sewers should be at a grade which will insure a velocity of two feet per second when flowing full. All sewer lines shall be designed and constructed of materials meeting the requirements of the plumbing code. Installation and testing for sewer lines shall also be in accordance with the plumbing code.

(3)

Each mobile home stand shall be provided with at least a four inch diameter sewer riser pipe. The sewer riser pipe shall be so located on each stand that the sewer connection to the mobile home drain outlet will approximate a vertical position.

(4)

The sewer connection from the mobile home to the sewer riser pipe shall have nominal inside diameter of at least three inches, and the slope of any portion thereof shall be at least one-fourth inch per foot. The sewer connection shall consist of one pipe line only without any branch fittings. All joints shall be water tight. All sewer connections shall comply with the requirements of the Town, and shall be inspected by the Town plumbing inspector.

(5)

All materials used for sewer connections shall be in accordance with the plumbing code.

(6)

Provision shall be made for capping the sewer riser pipe in an approved manner when the stand is unoccupied. Surface drainage shall be diverted away from the riser. The rim of the riser pipe shall extend at least four inches above the ground elevation.

Electrical Distribution System.

(1)

All electrical wiring in mobile home parks shall be installed in accordance with the electrical code.

(2)

Every park shall contain an electrical wiring system consisting of wiring, fixtures, equipment and appurtenances which shall be installed and maintained in accordance with applicable codes and regulations for such systems.

(3)

All direct burial conductors or cables shall conform to the Town specifications. Such conductors shall be located not less than one foot radial distance from water, sewer or gas lines. The location of all such underground lines shall be clearly marked by surface signs at approved intervals.

(4)

Each stand shall be served and metered the same as a single-family residential lot.

(5)

Outlets (receptacle or pressure connectors) shall be housed in an Underwriters Laboratory approved weatherproof outlet box, and shall be located not more than 25 feet from the overcurrent protective devise [device] in the mobile home. Two three pole, fourwire, grounding type shall be used.

(6)

Receptacles shall be in accordance with American Standard Outlet Receptacle C-73-1, or equivalent.

(7)

The mobile home shall be connected to the outlet box by an Underwriters Laboratory approved type of flexible supply cord with a male attachment plug or with pressure connectors. If the distance from the receptacle to the mobile home exceeds three feet, the cord shall be installed underground.

(8)

All exposed non-current-carrying metal parts of mobile homes and other equipment shall be grounded by means of an approved grounding conductor with branch circuit conductors. The neutral conductor shall not be used as an equipment ground for mobile homes or other equipment; the grounding conductor shall be attached to a permanent ground in an approved manner.

Refuse and Garbage Handling.

(1)

The storage, collection and disposal of refuse in the park shall be so conducted as to create no health hazards, rodent harborage, insect breeding areas, accident, fire hazards or air pollution.

(2)

All refuse shall be stored in fly-tight, watertight, rodent-proof containers, which shall be located at each stand. Containers shall be provided in sufficient number and capacity to store properly all refuse.

(3)

Refuse racks shall be provided for all refuse containers. Such racks shall be so designed as to prevent the containers from being ripped, to minimize spillage and container deterioration and to facilitate cleaning around them.

(4)

Refuse and garbage shall be removed from the park at least twice each week. All refuse shall be collected and transported in covered vehicles or covered containers.

(5)

The licensee or agent shall insure that containers at all stands are emptied regularly and maintained in a usable, sanitary condition.

Insect and Rodent Control.

(1)

Grounds, buildings and structures shall be maintained free of insect and rodent harborage and infestation. Extermination methods and other measures to control insects and rodents shall conform with the requirements of the Town Health Officer.

(2)

Mobile home parks shall be maintained free of accumulations of debris which may provide rodent harborage or breeding places of flies, mosquitoes and other pests.

(3)

The growth of brush, weeds and grass shall be controlled to prevent harborage of noxious insects or other pests. Parks shall be so maintained as to prevent the growth of noxious weeds detrimental to health.

Fuel Supply and Storage.

(1)

Each stand provided with piped gas shall have an approved manual shutoff valve installed upstream of the gas outlet. The outlet shall be equipped with an approved cap to prevent accidental discharge of gas when the outlet is not in use.

(2)

Individual liquefied petroleum gas systems may be used, but, when used, shall be installed and maintained in accordance with applicable regulations of the Texas Railroad Commission pertaining thereto.

(3)

Liquefied petroleum gas containers shall be installed on an individual space to serve only that mobile home occupying that space.

(4)

No liquefied petroleum gas vessel shall be stored or located outside or beneath any storage cabinet, carport, mobile home, or any other structure.

Fire Safety Standards.

(1)

In mobile home parks where liquefied petroleum gases are stored or dispensed, their handling and storage shall comply with the requirements of the plumbing code, the fire code, and the Texas Railroad Commission Regulations.

(2)

In parks in which gasoline, fuel oil, or other flammable liquids are stored and/or dispensed, their handling and storage shall comply with the fire code.

(3)

Approaches to all mobile homes shall be kept clear for fire fighting.

(4)

Water supply facilities for fire department operators shall be connected to the water supply in an approved easement with standard hydrants located within 500 feet of all mobile home sites, measured along the driveways or streets and such water supply systems shall meet the minimum standards for fire fighting purposes [as] are required or recommended by the State Board of Insurance. Fire hydrants will be subject to periodic inspections by the fire department. It shall be the responsibility of the park licensee to insure that the fire hydrants in need of immediate repair shall be repaired in a satisfactory manner within 24 hours. Nonemergency repairs shall be made within 14 days upon receipt of notifications. Nonemergency for purposes of this paragraph shall mean, "of a nature not impairing the actual use intended".

(5)

The park licensee or agent shall provide an adequate system of collection and safe disposal of rubbish, approved by the Fire Marshall and the Town and County Health Officer.

(6)

The park licensee or agent shall be responsible for maintaining the entire area of the park free of dry brush, leaves, limbs and weeds.

Miscellaneous Requirements.

(1)

Responsibilities of the park management:

(a)

All responsibilities set out elsewhere in this article apply to licensee or agent.

(b)

The licensee or his agent shall operate the park in compliance with this and other applicable articles and shall provide adequate supervision to maintain the park, its facilities and equipment in good repair and in a clean and sanitary condition.

(c)

The licensee or agent shall notify each and every park occupant of all applicable provisions of this article and inform them of their duties and responsibilities hereunder.

(d)

The licensee or agent shall maintain a register of park occupancy which shall contain the following information.

(1)

Name and stand number of all park residents.

(2)

Mobile home registration data, including make, length, width, year of manufacture and identification number.

(3)

Location of each mobile home within the park by stand number.

(4)

Dates of arrival and departure of each mobile home.

A new register shall be initiated on January 1st of each year and the old register may thereafter be retired, but shall be retained on the premises for at least three years following its retirement. Registers shall be available for inspection at all reasonable times by any official of the Town whose duties may necessitate access to the information contained therein.

(e)

The licensee or agent shall furnish to the tax assessor-collector within ten days after the first of January a list containing the owner's name and address; the make, length, width, year of manufacture and identification number of each mobile home; and the location of each mobile home. Said lists shall be prepared using forms provided by the tax assessor-collector.

(f)

Every park operator shall keep a separate and valid certificate of occupancy for the park, and for each mobile home and permanent structure located within the park.

(2)

Responsibilities of the park occupants:

(a)

All responsibilities set out elsewhere in this article.

(b)

The park occupant shall comply with all requirements of this article and shall maintain his stand and its facilities and equipment in good repair and in a clean and sanitary condition.

(c)

The park occupant shall be responsible for proper placement of his mobile home on its stand and proper installation of all utility connections in accordance with the instruction of the park management.

(d)

Skirtings, porches, awnings and other additions, when installed, shall be maintained in good repair. The use of space immediately underneath a mobile home for storage shall be permitted only under the following conditions.

(1)

Storage area shall have a base of impervious material.

(2)

Stored items shall not interfere with the underneath inspection of the mobile home, nor be a fire hazard.

Special Requirements.

(1)

All utilities shall be underground. This includes in addition to those normally installed underground, the electrical distribution facilities, telephone cables, and individual house service.

(2)

Refuse and waste storage areas shall conform to standards as required by this ordinance herein.

The provisions of this ordinance pertaining to license, health and safety shall apply to Mobile Home Parks in existence on the effective date of this ordinance.