Chapter 7.28
TRAILER HOUSES – TRAILER PARKS*
Sections:
7.28.020 Location limited to designated areas – Exceptions.
7.28.040 Health and sanitation regulations generally.
7.28.050 Premises to be kept garbage free.
7.28.060 Littering prohibited.
7.28.080 Site area requirements.
7.28.120 Connection to public sewer.
7.28.140 Permanent additions to trailer house or independent mobile home prohibited.
7.28.170 Duty of operator to maintain park in sanitary condition.
7.28.180 Permit to operate trailer park required.
*For provisions relating to construction standards for mobile home parks, see Chapter 16.36 LMC.
7.28.010 Definitions.
Wherever used in this chapter, the following terms shall be construed to have the meanings hereinafter ascribed to them:
(1) “Independent mobile home” means any mobile home or trailer house which contains its own sanitary facilities, which said sanitary facilities shall include at least one water closet, one kitchen sink and one bathtub or shower;
(2) “Habitation” means the place where a person lives, or the process or activity of living, remaining and/or residing in a specific spot;
(3) “Premises” means that land area upon which a trailer park is located and the land area adjacent to and surrounding that upon which any trailer house is placed;
(4) “Tent” means a temporary shelter of canvas, tarps, or strong cloth, stretched over and supported by wood or other framework;
(5) “Trailer house” means any structure, suitable for the temporary place of abode of human beings, placed on or capable of being conveniently placed on wheels or other running gear so that the structure may be readily moved from place to place;
(6) “Trailer park” means any plot, tract, site or premises of ground where accommodations are provided for two or more families to establish temporary or semipermanent residences in trailer houses or other portable habitation, whether or not the wheels have been removed from such portable habitation. (Ord. 3417 § 1, 2019; Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.020 Location limited to designated areas – Exceptions.
It is hereafter unlawful for any person or persons to occupy a trailer house or independent mobile home or other temporary movable place of abode in the city except in trailer parks within areas permitted by LMC Title 19, except for the following:
(1) Where such occupancy constitutes a nonconforming use under Chapter 19.75 LMC; or
(2) When permitted in conjunction with a special event as provided in Chapter 7.40 LMC; or
(3) When approved by the director of community development for temporary siting (seven days or less) of a licensed recreational vehicle at a facility licensed by the state of Washington providing medical services for end of life care, subject to the following conditions:
(a) Temporary siting and occupancy shall be for the purpose of allowing family member support for patients receiving end of life care.
(b) Placement shall not occur within a required front yard zoning setback area.
(c) Placement shall be on an approved hard surface with approved hard surface street access. (Ord. 3271 § 1, 2014; Ord. 3094 § 2, 2009; Ord. 1317 § 1, 1966; Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.030 Tents prohibited.
It is hereafter unlawful for any person or persons to maintain or occupy tents as a place of human habitation within the city, except as permitted in conjunction with temporary hosted homeless encampments as allowed in Chapter 7.29 LMC, or with a special event as provided in Chapter 7.40 LMC. (Ord. 3417 § 2, 2019; Ord. 3094 § 3, 2009; Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.040 Health and sanitation regulations generally.
The regulations and conditions contained in LMC 7.28.050 through 7.28.170 shall be required for all trailer parks, independent mobile homes and trailer houses located upon said trailer parks within the city. (Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.050 Premises to be kept garbage free.
The occupants of every independent mobile home or trailer house shall keep the same and the premises occupied thereby free from rubbish, garbage or other refuse. (Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.060 Littering prohibited.
No littering of the trailer park with rubbish, garbage or other refuse shall be permitted. (Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.070 Garbage containers.
The trailer park operator shall provide flytight metal garbage containers for each trailer house or independent mobile home and shall locate such containers conveniently for the occupants. Such containers shall not be permitted to become foul smelling, unsightly, or breeding places for flies, and the contents must be disposed of by lawful incineration or by removal by the sanitary service provided by the city. (Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.080 Site area requirements.
Each trailer house or independent mobile home shall be allotted at least 750 square feet of land space with a frontage of at least 25 feet upon a street court or driveway which shall be at least 18 feet wide. (Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.090 Fires.
Fires shall be made only in stoves or other suitable equipment provided for that purpose. Open fires shall not be permitted. (Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.100 Water supply.
An ample supply of water from the public water system shall be provided by the trailer park operator with water faucets to be located not more than 200 feet from any trailer house or independent mobile home. Use of common drinking cups or containers shall be prohibited. (Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.110 Sewage disposal.
The trailer park operator shall provide for sewage disposal by connection to a public sewer whenever such sewer is available. Where public sewers are not available, he shall provide for sewage disposal by a proper septic tank and drain field built to the specifications established by the Washington State Health Department. (Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.120 Connection to public sewer.
The trailer park operator shall provide every trailer house, independent mobile home or other temporary movable place of abode in said trailer park with a connection to a public sewer or proper septic tank for disposal of sink or other liquid waste. No waste water shall be hereafter drained to the open ground surface. (Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.130 Sanitary facilities.
(1) The trailer park operator shall provide sanitary facilities within said trailer park as required by the plumbing code of the city, Chapter 16.16 LMC, or any amendment, modifications, re-enactment of said chapter or enactment of any new ordinance designed and passed for the same general purpose.
(2) Said facilities shall be located in a proper utility building, which building shall be kept clean and sanitary. Sanitary facilities shall be provided at the ratio of one water closet for every 15 persons of each sex, one wash basin with hot and cold water for each two water closets, one bathtub or shower for every 20 persons and one laundry tray for each 20 trailer homes. A minimum of one water closet, one wash basin and one bathtub or shower shall be provided for each sex; provided, that the abovementioned sanitary facilities within proper utility buildings shall not be required for mobile home parks that cater only to independent mobile homes or to the portions of mobile home parks which are designated for use by only independent mobile homes, if said mobile park areas used by independent mobile homes only, are provided with the laundry facilities required by this section and at least one toilet and one lavatory for each sex within a proper utility building.
(3) Such required sanitary facilities shall be based on the total trailer park capacity and shall be computed on the basis of a minimum of three persons to each trailer house or independent mobile home with the sexes being assumed equal in number. (Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.140 Permanent additions to trailer house or independent mobile home prohibited.
No permanent additions of any kind shall hereafter be built onto or become a part of any trailer house or independent mobile home. (Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.150 Drainage.
Every trailer park hereafter established shall be located on a well-drained area and the premises of every such trailer park or existing trailer park shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and shall be properly graded so as to prevent the accumulation of storm or casual waters. (Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.160 Lighting.
Every trailer park heretofore or hereafter established shall be provided with means of lighting the same at night and all public water closets and bath units shall be provided with sufficient lighting facilities, one or more of which shall be kept lighted during the time from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. (Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.170 Duty of operator to maintain park in sanitary condition.
Every person owning or operating a trailer park shall maintain such trailer park and all permanent equipment in connection therewith in a clean and sanitary condition, and shall maintain said equipment in a state of good repair. (Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).
7.28.180 Permit to operate trailer park required.
It is hereafter unlawful for any person or persons to operate a trailer park, within the city, who does not possess an unrevoked permit to do so from the Washington State Director of Health or the local health officer having jurisdiction. (Ord. 1090 § 1, 1961).