§ 156.024. RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS.  


Latest version.
  • Any residential structure, including manufactured dwellings and mobile homes not located in mobile home parks, shall be erected or constructed only if in compliance with the following residential design standards.
    (A) General requirements.
    (1) Area and bulk regulations. Any residential structure, including any mobile home dwelling unit, shall comply with the minimum floor area requirements specified for the zoning district where such structure is located. Mobile homes shall comply with all regulations normally required for site- built housing in the zoning district in which it is located, unless specifically indicated otherwise herein.
    (2) Foundation. Any residential structure, including a mobile home, shall be placed on a permanent foundation to form a complete enclosure under the exterior walls. The foundation shall be constructed in accordance with the adopted building code of the township. A mobile home shall be securely anchored to its foundation in order to prevent displacement during windstorms. The wheels, tongue and hitch assembly, and other towing appurtenances, shall be removed before attaching a mobile home to its permanent foundation.
    (3) Other regulations. Residential structures shall be constructed in compliance with applicable state, federal or local laws or ordinances, including the Michigan State Construction Code. Mobile homes shall comply with the most recent regulations specified by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards (24 C.F.R. part 3280), as amended.
    (4) Floodplain. No dwelling unit, including mobile homes, shall be located within a 100-year floodplain.
    (5) Use. Mobile homes and other structures shall be used only for the purposes permitted in the zoning district in which they are located.
    (6) Attachments. Any exterior attachments or extensions onto a dwelling unit, such as entry steps and storage buildings, shall comply with the adopted building code of the township.
    (B) Requirements applicable to mobile homes. Mobile homes or manufactured dwelling units erected outside of mobile home parks after the effective date of this chapter shall comply with the general requirements set forth previously in division (A) above and with the following regulations.
    (1) Design features. The design and position of windows and other features of mobile homes and manufactured dwellings, including exterior wall colors and color combinations, shall be similar to site-built homes within 1,200 feet of the mobile home property boundaries. If no more than one site-built dwelling is presently located within 1,200 feet of the proposed location, then the mobile home or manufactured dwelling shall be compared to the nearest 50 site-built homes.
    (2) Roof pitch. The pitch of the main roof shall have a minimum vertical rise of one foot for each four feet of horizontal run, and the minimum distance from the eaves to the ridge shall be ten feet, except where the specific housing design dictates otherwise (i.e., French provincial, Italianate and the like). The roof shall be finished with a type of shingle or other material that is commonly used in standard on-site residential construction in the vicinity.
    (3) Exterior materials. The exterior siding of a mobile home or manufactured dwelling shall consist of materials that are generally acceptable for site-built housing in the vicinity, provided that the reflection from the exterior surface shall be no greater than from white semi-gloss exterior enamel; and provided further that, any such exterior is comparable in composition, appearance and durability to the exterior siding commonly used in standard residential construction.
    (4) Dimensions. The dimensions and placement of mobile homes or manufactured dwellings shall be comparable to typical dimensions and placement of site-built housing in the vicinity. Therefore, a mobile home or manufactured dwelling shall be located on the lot so that the minimum width of the front elevation is no less than 34 feet and the minimum dimension along any side or rear elevation is no less than 24 feet. If there are any extensions or additions off of the front of the mobile home or manufactured dwelling, the minimum width of any such secondary front elevation shall be 24 feet. The dimensions shall be measured from the outer extremities and shall include additions to the main body of the mobile home or manufactured dwelling, such as living or recreation rooms, garages, carports, utility rooms and the like, the front portions of which are within ten feet of the front of the main body of the mobile home or manufactured dwelling.
    (5) Roof overhang. Mobile homes and manufactured dwellings shall be designed with either a roof overhang of not less than six inches on all sides or with window sills and roof drainage systems to concentrate roof drainage at collection points along the sides of the dwelling.
    (6) Exterior doors. Mobile homes and manufactured dwellings shall have not less than two exterior doors which shall not be located on the same side of the building. Where required because of a difference in elevation, all exterior doors shall be provided with steps that are permanently attached to the building.
    (Ord., § 2.05, passed - -)