HomeMy WebLinkAbout2898 Manufactured Housing
Ordinance No. 2898
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT
TOWNSEND AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF TITLE 17 OF THE
PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE, ZONING DEFINING
DUPLEXES, TRIPLEXES, FOURPLEXES, TOWNHOUSES, AND
ATTACHED SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS; AND, ESTABLISHING
STANDARDS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF MANUF ACUTURED
HOUSING INTENDED TO COMPLY WITH SENATE BILL 6593; AND,
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND THE NEED TO AMEND THE
PORT TOWNSEND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OUTSIDE OF THE
ANNUAL AMENDMENT CYCLE TO MODIFY POLICY 7.3 OF THE
LAND USE ELEMENT TO PERMIT MANUFACTURED HOUSING IN
ALL RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT PORT
TOWNSEND SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATE STANDARDS
WHEREAS, on March 31, 2004 State Senate Bill (SB) 6593 was passed into law
prohibiting all Washington State cities, towns, and counties from regulating manufactured
housing differently than site built housing, provided that manufactured housing could be required
to be "new," sited on a permanent foundation, and otherwise meet the definition of "designated
manufactured housing" including minimum dimensions of24 ft. wide by 36 ft. long; and
WHEREAS, the 1996 Comprehensive Plan contains Policy 7.3 of the Land Use Element
and Policy 4.1.2 of the Housing Element permit manufactured housing in all single family
residential districts, with the exception of the Port Townsend National Register Historic District;
and
WHEREAS, the City's development regulations enacted in 1997 to implement the
Comprehensive Plan permitted manufactured housing in all single-family residential zoning
districts with the exception ofthose located within the Port Townsend National Landmark
Historic District; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive Plan Policy 7.3 and implementing development regulations
of Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 17 zoning must be modified prior to July 1,2005 to
be consistent with SB 6593; and
WHEREAS, the existing definitions contained in Title 17 Zoning Code for the terms
"duplex," "triplex," "fourplex," and "townhouse," "dwelling, single family attached," are
inconsistent with adopted building codes and internally inconsistent and requiring amendment;
and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic
Development has been notified of the proposed amendments and provided 60 days to review and
comment on the proposal; and
Ordinance 2898
WHEREAS, a State Environmental Policy Act (SEP A) determination of nonsignificance
(DNS) was issued on April 13, 2005; and
WHEREAS, public notice was provided and a public hearing held before the Planning
Commission on April 28, 2005; and
WHEREAS, public notice was provided and a public hearing held by this City Council
on June 20, 2005;
NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the foregoing FINDINGS, and based upon the
record before the Port Townsend Planning Commission and City Council, the City Council
hereby ordains as follows:
SECTION 1. The following amendments to PTMC Chapter 17.08 Zoning Code
Definitions regarding manufactured homes are hereby proposed (underline added, strikeout
deleted):
"Manufactured home" means a single-family residence constructed after June 15, 1976,
in accordance with the u.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HOD)
requirements for manufactured housing, and bearing the appropriate insignia indicating
such compliance. It is a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is designed
to be used with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities.
(Note: Manufactured homes were formerly called "mobile homes" before the federal government
assumed control of the construction standards for the industry by way of the National
Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 u.S. Code, Section
5401)). Manufactured homes must also meet the following requirements:
1. Set on a permanent foundation with the space from the bottom of the home to the
ground enclosed by either load bearing concrete or decorative concrete or masonry blocks so that
no more than one foot of the perimeter foundation is visible above grade;
2. Originally constructed with and now has a composition or wood shake
or shingle, coated metal, or similar roof; and
3. Originally constructed within 3 years of the date proposed for placement.
The term "manufactured home" does not include "modular home."
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SECTION 2. Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 17.16.020 Residential Zoning
Districts - Permitted, Conditional, and Prohibited Uses is proposed to be amended as follows:
Table 17.16.020
Residential Zoning Districts - Permitted, Conditional and Prohibited Uses
Key to table:
P = Permitted outriþht; C = Subject to a conditional use permit; X = Prohibited; N/A = Not applicable
DISTRICT l R-I I R-ll I R-III I R-IV , APPLICABLE REGULATIONSINOTES
STNGLE-F AMIL Y RESIDENTIAL USES
Manufactured homes P P P
(on individual lots)
x
Manufactured homes, whether used as single-family
residences or as an ADD, meeting the definitions
for "manufactured home" and set on a permanent
foundation with the space from the bottom of the
home to the ground enclosed by either load bearing
concrete or decorative concrete or masonry blocks
so that no more than one foot of the perimeter
foundation is visible above grade; are permitted are
prohibited within the limits of the Port Townsend
National Register Historic District, but allowed on
individual lots in R-I, R-II and R-III zoning
districts; subject to ami PTMC 17.16.030, Bbulk,
dimensional and density requirements. Title to the
manufactured home shall be eliminated as a
condition of building permit approval, and no
certificate of occupancy shall issue until the
applicant has completed correctly the title
elimination process. The placement of
manufactured homes that were constructed more
than 3 years prior is prohibited.
SECTION 3. The Port Townsend Municipal Code, section 17.16.020(C) Accessory
dwelling units is proposed to be amended as follows:
C. Accessory Dwelling Units - Limitations on Use. One accessory dwelling unit (ADU)
may be established as an accessory use to a single-family residence provided the following
conditions are continuously met:
1. A certificate of occupancy pursuant to the currently adopted city construction codes
Uniform Building Code shall be obtained from the building official and posted within the ADU.
The code inspection and compliance required to obtain a certificate of occupancy in an existing
building shall be restricted to the portion ofthe building to be occupied by an ADU and shall
apply only to new construction rather than existing components, except that any high hazards
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Ordinance 2898
(i.e., smoke detectors, fire exits, stairways, LP gas appliances and fire separation) shall be
corrected. Where additional fire separation is unduly burdensome, the building official may
authorize a fire alarm system in lieu of required fire separation.
2. The owner ofthe subject property shall reside on the premises, whether in the main or
accessory dwelling; provided, that in the event of illness, death or other unforeseeable event
which prevents the owner's continued occupancy of the premises, the director may, upon a
finding that discontinuance ofthe ADU would cause a hardship on the owner and/or tenants,
grant a temporary suspension of this owner-occupancy requirement for a period of one year. The
director may grant an extension of such suspension for one additional year, upon a finding of
continued hardship. In the case of an ADD established prior to March 6, 1995, but after August
17, 1971, if the property on which the ADU is located complies with all of the requirements of
this section except owner-occupancy, the ADU property may continue without occupancy by the
owner until the property is sold, exchanged or otherwise transferred to a different owner.
3. Neither the main nor accessory dwelling unit shall be used as a transient
accommodation.
4. ADUs established in an outbuilding shall not exceed 800 square feet in floor area, and
under no circumstance shall the total lot coverage of the primary residence along with the ADU
exceed the standard allowed in the underlying zoning district.
5. In order to preserve the outward appearance of single-family neighborhoods, the front
of the house shall have only one exterior entrance.
6. An ADU may be established in a residence or outbuilding that wffieh is legal,
nonconforming with respect to required setbacks if entrances are no closer than five feet to
neighboring property lines, and if each side window that wffieh is closer than five feet to a side
property line and that whieh is also closer than 20 feet to either the front or rear property line is
permanently glazed with translucent material; provided, that the director may permit an entrance
as close as three feet to a neighboring property line upon a finding that no feasible alternative
exists.
7. No additional off-street parking is required to establish an ADU; provided, that the off-
street parking requirements for the other uses on the site are continuously met.
SECTION 4. The Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Element, Pages IV-18
to IV -19 is proposed to be amended as follows:
Goal 7: To accommodate the population growth objectives for the City of Port Townsend and to
further the objectives of the Housing Element ofthis Plan.
Policy 7.3: Allow manufactured homes (which meet the HOD Code) on single-family
lots in all residential zones except the National Register Historic District,
provided that they comply with the requirements of the Washington State
Energy Code for single-family homes, or its equivalent, and further_provided
that the manufactured homes meet applicable age and design standards
established in the zoning code. The intent of this policy is to recognize
manufactured housing as a legitimate housing choice for Port Townsend
residents. {Note: The Pert Townsend National Regi~ter Historic District is
recognized as containing some of the West's majQf Victorian architectural
resources. Manufactured housing is an incompatible use in this area].
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Ordinance 2898
SECTION 5. The Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan, Housing Element, Page V-4 is
proposed to be amended as follows:
Goal 4: To promote a variety of housing choices to meet the needs of Port Townsend residents
and to preserve and encourage socio-economic diversity.
Policy 4.1.2: Amend the zoning code to allow manufactured homes (which meet the
HUD Code) on single-family lots in all residential zones, except the
National Register Historic District, and furthecprovided that they comply
with the requirements of the Washington State Energy Code for single-
family homes, or its equivalent, provided that that the manuíàctured
homes meet applicable age and design standards established in the zoning
code. It is not the intent ofthis plan to promote the development of
traditional mobile home parks. Instead, the intent is to recognize
manufactured housing as a legitimate housing choice, which should be
made available to Port Townsend residents.
SECTION 6. The following amendments to PTMC Chapter 17.08 Zoning Code,
Definitions for duplexes, triplexes, fouplexes, and townhouses are hereby proposed (underline
added, strikeout deleted):
"Duplex" means a single building structure containing two attached dwelling units, either side by
side or above one another separated by fire-resistive common wall or common floor/ceiling
assemblies. Over and under duplexes shall have common floor-ceilings between dwelling units.
For purposes of this title, units in a duplex are considered single-family dwellings within R-I and
R-ll districts; provided, that the base density requirements ofthe district are not exceeded. See
also "Dwelling, single family attached,'.~ "Triplex," and "Fourplex."
"Dwelling, single-family attached," means a dwelling having any portion of a wall in common
with up to three adjoining dwellings a duplex, triplex, or fourplex as defined by this title.
"Fourplex" means a single building containing four attached dwellings units in-one building ffi
which each unit has at least one open space exposure and shares one or two walls with adjoining
Hffits, either side by side or above one another separated by fire-resistive .common wall or
common floor/ceiling assemblies. Over and under fouplexes shall have common floor-ceilings
between dwelling units. For purposes of this title, fourplexes are considered single-family
dwellings within R-I and R-JI districts; provided, that the base density requirements of the
district are not exceeded. See also "duplex" and "triplex."
"Dwelling, multifamily," means a building containing five or more dwelling units, including
units that are located one over the other.
"Townhouse or rowhouse" means multiple, single a-eÐe family dwelling units in a row
comprising a single building of at least five such dwelling units in which each dwelling unit has
its own front and rear access to the outside, no dwelling unit is located over another unit, and
each dwelling unit is separated from any other dwelling unit by one or more vertical common
fire resistant walls. For purposes of this title, toWIÙlOuses or rowhouses of five or more
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Ordinance 2898
residential units are considered multifamily dwellings. See also "Duplex," "Triplex," "Fourplex,"
"Dwelling, single-family attached," and "Dwelling, multifamily."
"Triplex" means a single building containing three attached dwelling units, either side by side or
above one another separated by fire-resistive common wall or common floor/ceiling assemblies.
each of which has direct access to the outside- or to a common hallway which accesses the
outside. Over and under triplexes shall have common floor-ceilings between dwelling units. For
purposes of this title, triplexes are considered single-family dwellings within R-I and R-II
districts; provided, that the base density requirements of the district are not exceeded. See also
"duplex" and "fourpIex." (i.e., four dwelling units per acre within the R J district; eight dwelling
units per acre within the R II district).
SECTION 4. Severability. If any sentence, clause or phrase ofthis ordinance should be
held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or
unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section, sentence,
clause or phrase or work of this ordinance.
SECTION 5. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five days
after the date of its publication in the manner provided by law.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend, Washington, at a regular
meeting thereof, held this fifth day of July, 2005.
(!~.:2 ~.~
Catharine Robinson, Mayor
Attest:
Approved as to Form:
Çdr:¿, 2]~
~~
John P. Watts, City Attorney
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Ordinance 2898