It is the intent of this subchapter to provide areas which are properly located and designed to accommodate the leisure time and vacation activities of transient residents utilizing transient trailers and similar recreational vehicles, and intended for short-term residential occupancy only. It is further intended to safeguard the health and safety of residents of trailer parks, to ensure compatibility with the natural environment and to ensure harmony with the character of the surrounding area.

(Ord. passed 10-30-06)

   For purposes of this subchapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

   TRANSIENT TRAILER. Includes any of the following:

      (1)   CAMPING TRAILER. A canvas, folding structure, mounted on wheels and designed for travel, recreation and vacation use;

      (2)   MOTOR HOME. A portable, temporary dwelling to be used for travel, recreation and vacation, constructed as an integral part of a self-propelled vehicle;

      (3)   PICK-UP COACH. A structure designed to be mounted on a truck chassis for use as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreation and vacation;

      (4)   TRAVEL TRAILER. A vehicular, portable structure built on a chassis, designed to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreation and vacation uses;

      (5)   Any other mobile recreational vehicle subject to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 24-21, as amended.

   TRANSIENT TRAILER PARK. A parcel of land in which two or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by transient trailers for transient dwelling purposes and in which transient trailer spaces are rented by the day or week only, and the occupancy of such space remains in same transient trailer park for not more than 90 days within a period of one year.

(Ord. passed 10-30-06)

   No building permit shall be granted for the construction of a transient trailer park until a land development project application is approved in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Middletown Rules and Regulations Regarding the Subdivision and Development of Land.

   In addition to the items listed on the applicable land development project submission checklist, an application to construct a transient trailer park shall contain, as a minimum, complete engineering plans and specifications of the proposed park showing:

   The following standards of development shall apply to all transient trailer parks:

   (A)   Minimum area. No transient trailer park shall be less than ten acres in land area.

   (B)   Density requirement. The overall density of the transient trailer park shall not exceed 20 transient trailer spaces per acre of area of such park.

   (C)   Area of transient trailer spaces. The minimum area of any transient trailer space shall not be less than 1,200 square feet.

(Ord. passed 10-30-06)

   In all transient trailer parks there shall be at least one recreation area which shall be easily accessible from all transient trailer spaces. The size of such recreation area shall be not less than 20% of the area of such park.

(Ord. passed 10-30-06)

   A landscaped buffer strip shall be maintained along all exterior property lines of a transient trailer park. Such buffer strip shall be no less than 100 feet wide and shall be planted, screened or otherwise maintained in a natural condition in order to provide year-round visual obstruction of the transient trailer spaces from abutting land and streets. Such buffer strip may be used for recreation of a non-intensive character provided however, that no structures be located thereon. In the event that terrain or other natural features, such as adjacent water bodies, are located so that the landscaped buffer strip will not serve the intended purpose, then no such buffer strip shall be required.

(Ord. passed 10-30-06)

   Transient trailers shall be separated from each other and from other structures by at least 20 feet. Any accessory structure such as attached awnings, carports or individual storage facilities shall for purposes of this separation requirement be considered to be part of the transient trailer. Distance between permanent structures and transient trailers must be at least 30 feet.

(Ord. passed 10-30-06)

   All transient trailer parks shall be provided with safe and convenient vehicular access from abutting public streets. Each transient trailer space shall have direct access to an interior street. Alignment and gradient shall be properly adapted topography. Surfacing need not be permanent pavement, but shall provide a smooth, hard and dense surface which shall be drained.

(Ord. passed 10-30-06)

   All transient trailer parks shall have a minimum lot frontage of 50 feet on a public street. Access to transient trailer parks shall be designed to minimize congestion and hazards at their entrance or exit and allow free movement of traffic on adjacent streets. All traffic into or out of such parks shall be through such entrances and exits.

(Ord. passed 10-30-06)

   All internal streets shall be a minimum of 20 feet wide.

(Ord. passed 10-30-06)

   Each transient trailer park shall provide sufficient parking and maneuvering space so that the parking, loading or maneuvering of transient trailers shall not necessitate the use of any public street, sidewalk or right-of-way or land not part of the transient trailer park.

(Ord. passed 10-30-06)

   All requirements regarding supply of water and disposal of sewage in transient trailer parks shall conform to all applicable laws and requirements of the State of Rhode Island, Department of Environmental Management.

(Ord. passed 10-30-06)

   Condition of soil, groundwater level, drainage and topography shall not create hazards to the property or to the health or safely of the occupants. The site shall not be exposed to objectionable smoke, noise or odors. No portion subject to unpredictable and/or sudden flooding, subsidence or erosion shall be used for any purpose which would expose persons or property to hazards.

(Ord. passed 10-30-06)

   Exposed ground surface in all parts of every parking area shall be paved, or covered with stone screenings, or other solid material, or protected with a mulch or vegetative growth that is capable of preventing soil erosion and of eliminating dust.

(Ord. passed 10-30-06)

   The following uses are permitted in any transient trailer park.

   (A)   Principal uses. Transient trailers as defined in § 2401.

   (B)   Accessory uses. Uses directly accessory to a transient trailer space such as picnic area, fireplace, utility service, etc.

   (C)   Community buildings. Recreation halls, laundry facilities, showers or rest rooms, convenience stores or other service buildings intended primarily to serve the residents of the transient trailer park.

   (D)   Outdoor recreation facilities. Provided, however, that any active recreation facilities shall not be located within the landscaped buffer strip required in § 1301.

   (E)   Administrative offices for the management of the transient trailer park, including maintenance and service areas for same. A resident manager may be permitted to occupy no more than one single-family dwelling located within the transient trailer park.

(Ord. passed 10-30-06)

   No transient trailer shall be permitted to be used as a dwelling on any individual lot in the town except in a transient trailer park as provided in this subchapter.

(Ord. passed 10-30-06)