CONTENTS
1. Overview
2. What is a Manufactured
Home
3.City Zoning Ordinances
3.1 Helena
3.2 Billings
3.3 Great Falls
4. Code Requirements
5. Objectives of Zoning Ordinances
6. Appearance Comparisons
7. Value Considerations
8. Suggested Zoning Language |
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8. Suggested
Language for Zoning Regulations
Zoning ordinances designed to restrict
placement of manufactured housing should be considered only after
fully evaluating the legal ramifications and the impact that such
restrictions may have on the affordable housing market. Generally,
zoning that specifically restricts manufactured housing and not
other forms of housing should be avoided.
Montana law has defined a minimum standard
of size and appearance for manufactured
housing.
Title 76-2-203(6), MCA (municipal and county zoning statutes)
... „manufactured housingâ means a single-family dwelling, built
offsite at a factory on or after January 1, 1990, that is placed
on a permanent foundation, is at least 1,000 square feet in size,
has a pitched roof and siding and roofing materials that are customarily,
as defined by local regulations, used on site-built homes, and
is in compliance with the applicable standards of the United States
department of housing and urban development at the time of its
production.
This standard effectively assures that
manufactured housing will be comparable or better than conventional
housing that would be permitted in similar circumstances, particularly
for housing that
is directed toward the affordable housing market.
Manufactured housing can compete at
mid- and high-end markets, as well. Because a home is fabricated
under controlled and monitored conditions should not be a reason
to deny its availability to any market. The test should be one
of construction quality and comparable appearance. If a factory
built home can compare to conventional housing, the market should
not be denied the value and cost saving inherent in controlled
construction. It is that standard of quality and appearance
that should appear in zoning regulations without any intention
of denying one particular method of construction.
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