FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1690

                                  C 239 L 88

BYHouse Committee on Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Ferguson, Cooper, Winsley, Miller, Nutley, Crane, Baugher, Sanders, Lux, Haugen, Beck, Day, Meyers, Betrozoff, Nelson and Cantwell)

Requiring cities and counties to review need for manufactured homes.

House Committe on Housing

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The construction of manufactured or mobile homes has been regulated by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development since 1976.  Mobile homes are built with wheel chassis and are moved to a site on the public highways.  Once at the site, the wheels, hitch, and axles are often removed to make the home more permanent.

Local governments play an important role in the siting, moving, and installation of mobile homes.

Manufactured Home Siting.

Cities and towns are authorized to prepare coordinated plans (comprehensive plans) that guide the physical development of the jurisdiction through land-use regulations for residential, commercial, industrial, and other purposes.

The city or town's adopted comprehensive plan determines whether mobile homes may be sited in residential areas.  Some jurisdictions do not allow the siting of mobile homes on individual lots.  This practice reduces the available housing options.

Mobile Home Moving.

Moving a mobile home requires a special permit to move oversized loads on the public highways.  The Department of Transportation or the local government, whichever has jurisdiction over the highway being traversed, is responsible for issuing the necessary permit.

Manufacturers and dealers of mobile homes must be licensed and bonded.  Frequently, manufacturers and dealers move mobile homes as a part of the business of manufacturing or selling the homes.  Transporters in the business of moving vehicles including mobile homes, must be licensed.  There are no bond requirements, nor qualification standards for a transporter license.

Mobile Home Installation.

Federal law preempts state regulation of the construction of mobile homes.  The state may regulate the site preparation and mobile home installation on the site.  Federal law requires the state to incorporate the guidelines of the mobile home manufacturer into its installation standards.

Under state law, the Department of Labor and Industries must enact standards for mobile home installations.  The department may provide for enforcement of and inspection under these installation standards.  Although the department does not do the inspections, the department may authorize local governments to inspect installations if requested.  Some counties, however, do not inspect the mobile home installations.

SUMMARY:

Manufactured Home Siting.

A comprehensive plan for the physical development of a city or town that does not allow the siting of manufactured homes on individual lots is subject to review, by the jurisdiction, for the need and demand for this type of housing.  The review procedure must comply with the state and local requirements to adopt or amend a comprehensive plan, including a public hearing.  The review process must be completed by December 1, 1990.

The term "designated manufactured home" is defined to assist local jurisdictions in their planning efforts.  A "designated manufactured home" is limited to a structure constructed after June 15, 1976 in accordance with state and federal requirements for manufactured homes.  A manufactured home is further defined as a structure that:  a) has at least two fully enclosed sections each not less than 12 feet wide by 36 feet long; b) was originally constructed with or now has a composition, wood shake, shingle, metal coated, or similar roof, of not less than 3:12 pitch; and c) has exterior siding similar in appearance to conventional site-built single family homes.

Mobile Home Moving.

The Department of Transportation or a local jurisdiction, when processing a request for a special permit to move a mobile home, must verify that the person moving the home is properly licensed as a manufacturer, a dealer, or a transporter.  The Department of Licensing must determine whether a person or organization is properly licensed as a motor freight carrier, as required by law, before issuing a license or plate to transport a mobile home.  These requirements do not apply to mobile home manufacturers or licensed dealers who deliver mobile homes.

Mobile Home Installation.

Local jurisdictions are required to enforce the mobile home installation standards adopted by the Department of Labor and Industries.  The enforcement of the installation standards applies whether the mobile home is located in a mobile home park or on an individual lot.  The mobile home installation standards must be uniform and enforced by the local jurisdiction in the same manner that the State Building Code is enforced.  Local jurisdictions are authorized to charge inspection fees for mobile home installation inspections.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 97   0

      Senate    48     0(Senate amended)

      House 91   0(House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1988