Santa Cruz Municipal Code Part 16 Mobilehomes: Certificate of Compatibility

Mobilehomes are part of the housing stock of the city of Santa Cruz. It is the intent of the city to provide opportunities for the placement of mobilehomes in single-family residential districts and to insure through the certificate of compatibility that such mobilehomes are designed and located so as to be harmonious within the context of the surrounding houses and neighborhood.

(Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).

A mobilehome may be located in any district where a single-family home is permitted subject to the same use restrictions, provided that such mobilehome receives a certificate of compatibility.

(Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).

The zoning administrator shall issue such certificate if the mobilehome meets the location and design criteria established herein.

(Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).

1. Location and Design Criteria. Location and design criteria are hereby established to protect neighborhood integrity, provide for harmonious relationship between mobilehomes and surrounding uses, and minimize problems that could occur as a result of locating mobilehomes on residential lots.

a. Location Criteria. Mobilehomes shall not be allowed under the following circumstances:

(1) On substandard lots which do not meet the requirements of this title;

(2) As a second or additional unit on an already developed lot;

(3) On lots with an average slope of more than ten percent;

(4) On lots within one hundred feet of historic structures listed in the Historic Building Survey;

(5) In areas that are designated as historic districts under this title.

b. Design Criteria. The following criteria are to be used in considering an application for a certificate of compatibility. Mobilehomes shall be compatible in design and appearance to structures in the vicinity and shall meet the following guidelines:

(1) Each mobilehome must be at least sixteen feet wide;

(2) It must be built on a permanent foundation approved by the building official;

(3) It must have been constructed after June 15, 1976, and must be certified under the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Act of 1974;

(4) The unit’s skirt board must extend to the finished grade;

(5) Exterior siding must be compatible with adjacent structures; shiny or metallic finishes are prohibited;

(6) The roof must have a pitch of not less than three inches vertical rise per twelve inches horizontal distance;

(7) The roof must be of concrete or asphalt tile, shakes or shingles;

(8) The roof must have eaves or overhangs of not less than one foot;

(9) The floor must be no higher than twenty inches above the exterior finished grade;

(10) Required covered parking shall be compatible with the mobilehome design and with architecture in the area.

(Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).

Whenever a mobilehome is installed on a permanent foundation, any registration of said mobilehome with the state of California shall be canceled, pursuant to laws and regulations of the state of California. Before any occupancy certificate may be issued for use of such a mobilehome, the owner of the mobilehome shall provide to the city satisfactory evidence showing that the state registration of the mobilehome has been or will with certainty be canceled, or, if the mobilehome is new and has never been registered with the state of California, the owner of the mobilehome shall provide to the city a statement to that effect from the dealer selling the mobilehome.

(Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).