Socorro City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XI
Manufactured and Mobile Homes; Mobile Home Parks and Subdivisions; Recreational Vehicle Parks
§ 250-11.1 Purpose and intent.
A.
The purpose of this article is to present minimum standards for the installation of manufactured homes and mobile homes in appropriate zones. This article also presents standards for mobile home parks and subdivisions and RV parks within the City of Socorro.
B.
The City of Socorro encourages the installation of well-constructed, aesthetically pleasing manufactured or mobile homes in the zones in which they are permitted. The City realizes that most such installations will be more or less permanent and provide a permanent housing source for residents of the City. Therefore, this article attempts to create the proper standards for manufactured and mobile home installation which are pleasing to the eye and lend to the improvement and safety of the overall community.
§ 250-11.2 Manufactured homes.
Pursuant to NMSA 1978, § 3-21A-3, as amended, manufactured housing which conforms to the definition included in Article XVI of this chapter shall be permitted in those zones and under those conditions as permitted for single-family site-built housing. Manufactured housing shall be constructed according to the Housing and Urban Development Zone Code II or the Uniform Building Code and shall not be modified or altered subsequent to initial construction but prior to placement in the City of Socorro. Manufactured housing shall only be allowed within the Historic Zone if it is consistent with the standards established in this chapter for that zone.
§ 250-11.3 Mobile homes.
A.
Zone restrictions. Mobile homes are permissible within the City of Socorro in accordance with the zoning and permit requirements summarized in the following table:
Mobile Home Categories | ||
|---|---|---|
MH | Mobile home (placed on individual lots) | |
MHP | Mobile home park | |
MHS | Mobile home subdivision | |
RVP | Recreational vehicle park | |
Zoning Categories | ||
|---|---|---|
Z | Permitted by right | |
C | Conditional use permit required | |
S | Special use permit required | |
N | Not permitted | |
Mobile Home Zoning Summary | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zone | MH | MHP | MHS | RVP | |
R-1 | N | N | N | N | |
R-2 | N | N | S | N | |
R-3 | N | S | C | S | |
R-4 | Z | Z | Z | S | |
RA | Z | N | N | N | |
RR | Z | S | S | S | |
C-1 | N | S | N | S | |
C-2 | N | S | S | S | |
M-1 | N | S | N | S | |
C.
Certificate of zoning compliance required. A certificate of zoning compliance must be obtained from the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer before placement of a MH within the City limits of Socorro. Permit application forms are furnished by the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer.[1]
D.
General conditions. All mobile homes within the City of Socorro are required to be mounted and tied down in conformance with applicable state regulations and must meet the following requirements. Specific details may be obtained from the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer.[2]
(1)
Wheels to be removed. Since MHs are more or less permanent housing units, the City requires that the wheels of the MH, if present, be removed during the installation process.
(2)
Nonexposure of undercarriage.
(a)
(b)
Concealment of the undercarriage must be completed within 60 days of placement of the unit.
(3)
Damaged units. The City will not allow damaged units to be installed within the City limits of Socorro. In the event the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer determines that an MH is damaged or not of appropriate exterior quality for placement with the City, then the certificate of zoning compliance shall not be approved, unless repair to the unit is made as part of the permit application, to be completed before the final inspection.
(4)
Steps. All MH units shall have permanent steps affixed to all exits.
(5)
Maintenance. All manufactured homes existing within the City limits shall be properly maintained. The properties shall meet all existing City codes related to proper appearances and maintenance of buildings and properties.[4]
(6)
Standards. All MHs shall be constructed according to the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. § 5401 et seq., or carry other state approval.
§ 250-11.4 Mobile home parks (MHPs).
A.
A special use permit is required in R-3, RR, C-1, C-2 and M-1 Districts for all MHP developments. The permits are intended to provide for the development of mobile home parks at standards consistent with the health, safety and welfare of the community. MHPs are permitted by right in the R-4 District. Special use permits must be acquired in accordance with Article V of this chapter. MHPs are not permitted within R-1, R-2 or RA Districts.[1]
B.
Development requirements. Development requirements are provided in Article XIV. A site plan, landscaping plan, and a drainage plan must be approved by the City for any MHP.
C.
Design standards.
(1)
Swimming pools are permitted only when a protective fence or wall conforming to the requirements of § 250-13.6C of this chapter is provided around the yard, lot, or pool area. The pool shall be no closer than five feet to any property line or mobile home space boundary, and approval from all utilities is required to ensure overhead safety. All gates in fences shall be self-closing and equipped with self-latching devices.[2]
(2)
All mobile homes shall have perimeter walls or fences that are at least six feet in height and visually obscuring. The fence or wall shall be modified as necessary to provide clear-sight triangles and shall be approved by the City.
(3)
All mobile home parks shall have a landscape concept which conforms to the landscaping requirements included in Article X of this chapter. The concept shall be approved by the City for all areas not devoted to structures, streets, alleys, drives, walks, and paths.
(4)
Walls, fences, and hedges shall conform to Article XIII. A clear-sight triangle of 20 feet in both directions from the corner of internal streets and from the entrance to each mobile home space is required. A clear-sight triangle of at least 30 feet is required at all MHP entrances and exits.
(5)
Utility placement shall be approved by the City and shall conform to all applicable codes and standards.
(6)
A paved or concrete patio of not less than 100 square feet adjacent to each unit foundation is required.
(7)
Open space. A minimum of 33% of each mobile home space shall be preserved as open space.
D.
Streets and access standards.
(1)
All MHPs shall have vehicular access from an arterial or collector street.
(2)
Each mobile home space, when occupied, shall have direct access to an internal street. Direct access to exterior public streets shall be prohibited.
(3)
Street layout shall be designed for preservation of natural features and to follow topography to the greatest extent possible and to encourage the orientation of mobile homes in such a manner as to permit the use of solar energy systems.
(4)
No street within a mobile home park shall dead-end except for cul-de-sac streets, which shall have a minimum turning radius of 50 feet at the termination point.
(5)
There shall be a network of pedestrian walks connecting mobile home spaces with each other and with MHP facilities.
(6)
Private driveways for each mobile home space shall be designed for ease of access, privacy, and safety.
(7)
All spaces and streets shall be drawn to ensure drainage.
(8)
Streetlighting shall be provided to illuminate all private and public accessways and walkways for the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians at night.
E.
Refuse. The management of a mobile home park shall provide adequate refuse collection facilities. These collection facilities shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with all municipal health regulations, shall be properly screened, and shall be designed to bar animals from access to refuse. Refuse shall be removed from collection sites at least once a week.
F.
Storage. Each mobile home space shall have a personal storage unit. Such storage unit shall have a minimum capacity of 300 cubic feet and shall have a capacity no greater than 600 cubic feet. Each storage unit shall be anchored permanently to the ground and shall have a rigid floor surface.
G.
Utilities. All utility placements shall be approved by the City and shall meet all applicable codes and standards.
H.
Compliance of existing MHPs. All MHPs existing at the date of adoption of this chapter shall be brought into compliance with the standards included in this article within three years after the date of adoption unless a specific variance from a standard is granted by the Commission.
§ 250-11.5 Mobile home subdivisions (MHSs).
A.
Purpose. A conditional use permit is required for MHSs in R-3 Districts and a special use permit is required for MHSs in R-2, RR and C-2 Districts. The permits are intended to provide for the development of such subdivision at standards consistent with the health, safety, and welfare of the community. MHSs are permitted by right in R-4 Districts. Conditional and special use permits must be acquired in accordance with Article V of this chapter. MHSs are not permitted within R-1, RA, C-1 or M-1 Districts.
C.
MHS street orientation. Street layout shall be designed for preservation of natural features and to follow topography to the greatest extent possible and to encourage the orientation of mobile homes in such a manner as to permit the use of solar energy systems.
D.
Utilities. All utility placements shall be approved by the City and shall conform to all applicable codes and standards.
§ 250-11.6 Recreational vehicle parks (RVPs).
A.
A special use permit is required for all RVP developments and is intended to provide for the development of recreational vehicle parks at standards consistent with the health, safety, and welfare of the community. Recreational vehicle parks are permitted by special use in R-3, R-4, RR, C-1, C-2, and M-1 Districts. RVPs are not permitted in R-1, R-2, or RA Districts.
B.
Development requirements. Development standards are provided in Article XIV. A site plan, landscaping plan, and a drainage plan must be approved by the City for any RVP.
C.
Design standards.
(1)
Swimming pools are permitted only when a protective fence or wall conforming to the requirements of § 250-13.6C of this chapter is provided around the yard, lot, or pool area. The pool shall be no closer than five feet to any property line or recreational vehicle space boundary, and approval from all utilities is required to ensure overhead safety. All gates and fences shall be self-closing and equipped with self-latching devices.[1]
(2)
A landscaping concept in conformance with the landscaping standards included in Article X of this chapter shall be implemented for all areas not covered by structures or paved.
(3)
All recreational vehicle parks shall have perimeter wall or fences that are at least six feet in height and visually obscuring. The fence or wall shall be modified as necessary to provide clear-sight triangles as described previously.
(4)
There shall be an active, usable recreational area for tenants comprising 5% of the gross site area, which shall not include required setback areas or similar areas not usable for recreational activities.
(5)
There shall be a community building or buildings which shall provide for the needs of occupants of the recreational vehicle park. It shall include rest rooms, showers, and a laundry. The community building or buildings may not be included as part of the required recreational area.
(6)
Adequate refuse collection facilities shall be provided, constructed, and maintained in accordance with all municipal health regulations, and shall be screened and designed to bar animals from access to refuse. Refuse shall be removed from collection sites at least once a week.
(7)
Lighting shall be provided to illuminate accessways and walkways for the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians at night.
(8)
A means for emptying sewage holding tanks shall be provided; the facility shall be approved by the appropriate governmental authority.
D.
Streets and access standards.
(1)
All RVPs shall have vehicular access from an arterial or collector street.
(2)
Each RV space, when occupied, shall have direct access to an internal street. Direct access to exterior public streets shall be prohibited.
(3)
A clear-sight triangle of 20 feet in both directions from the corner of internal streets and from the entrance of each RV space is required. A clear-sight triangle of at least 30 feet is required from all RVP entrances and exits.
(4)
Street layout shall be designed for preservation of natural features and to follow topography to the greatest extent possible and to encourage the orientation of recreational vehicles in such a manner as to permit the use of solar energy systems.[2]
(5)
No street within a recreational vehicle park shall dead end, except for cul-de-sac streets, which shall have a minimum turning radius of 50 feet at the termination point.
(6)
Private driveways shall be designed to ensure proper drainage.
(7)
All spaces and streets shall be designed to ensure proper drainage.
(8)
One space for automobile parking shall be provided for each RV space.
E.
Utilities. All utility placements shall be approved by the City and shall conform to applicable codes and standards.
F.
Duties of Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer. It shall be the right and the duty of the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer of the City of Socorro to impose all design standards for recreational vehicle parks in accordance with Standards for Recreational Vehicle Parks and Campgrounds, latest edition, as published by the National Fire Protection Association and the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association.[3]
G.
Compliance of existing RVPs. All RVPs existing at the date of adoption of this chapter shall be brought into compliance with the standards included in this article within three years after the date of adoption unless a specific variance from a standard is granted by the Commission.
§ 250-11.7 Recreational vehicles, boats, camping and travel trailers and truck campers as dwellings. [1]
Recreational vehicles, boats, camping and travel trailers, and truck campers shall not be used as permanent dwellings or immobile living quarters. Utility connections, except for temporary electrical service, are permitted for said units only within recreational vehicle parks (RVPs) and mobile home parks (MHPs). The use of said units or other temporary living quarters shall not exceed six months at a single location and shall be restricted to RVPs, MHPs, or on a lot upon which a permanent dwelling is being constructed. An extension to the six-month limitation may be considered by the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer upon receipt and review of a request for such extension.