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November 3, 2008

Commissioners still considering mobile home rules

Jamie Jones

Mobile homes in Whitfield County would remain mobile under new inspection guidelines being considered by the board of commissioners.

Under the proposed rules, the county would charge mobile home owners of structures built since 1976 that are slated to move within county limits $300 for an inspection. Owners of new mobile homes being brought into the county would be charged $100. The county currently does not perform mobile home inspections.

Commissioners are expected to vote on the guidelines later this month.

The proposed rules are less strict than those floated earlier this year when commissioners considered the first reading of a resolution to amend the ordinance that would have reduced the age of mobile homes allowed to enter the county to five years or newer, while also limiting the age of units that may be moved around the county to 10 years or newer. The current ordinance allows the setup of a mobile home 32 years or newer. County zoning administrator Jean Garland said 1976 was the first year the federal government had standards for new manufactured homes built at factories.

Richard Crowley, who works for Mountain View Homes in Chatsworth, has spoken with the Georgia Manufactured Housing Association about the proposed limits. Crowley said he had no problems with the guidelines.

“It’s all stuff that needs to be done,” he said.

Garland said neighboring counties have tough regulations on mobile homes. Murray County does not allow units older than five years to be brought in, while Catoosa County set its age limit at 10 years, she said. Gordon County’s age limit is 15 years.

Gaile Jennings is director of the Dalton-Whitfield Community Development Corp., an agency that assists area residents with housing. Jennings has seen mobile homes she said aren’t suitable for living. A recent survey found 3,600 mobile homes in the county that were 20 years or older and were considered “substandard.”

Commissioner Mike Cowan said the inspections are necessary to maintain the “health, safety and welfare” of county residents.

Several commissioners are concerned limiting mobile home owners’ options could be problematic because of the current economic situation. Some mobile homes are financed for 20 to 30 years, but the owner often doesn’t own the land.

“I’ve seen homes that are three years old that are in sad shape and some that are 20 years old in great shape,” commissioner Greg Jones said.

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