MANTI—The temporary set-up of a mobile home for use as a residential dwelling is not permitted in the county.
“It is stated very clearly in our [land use] ordinance— mobile homes are not allowed on any properties except mobile home parks,” said Tim Wilson, zoning enforcement officer, at the Sanpete County Commission meeting June 21, 2022.
“Even at mobile home parks, they still have to get HUD approval,” Wilson continued. “That’s why we allow people to stay in their camp trailers or fifth wheels while they are building their home.”
The Sanpete County Commission denied a temporary use permit to Yvonne Jones, who wanted to set up a mobile home on her property temporarily while she builds a permanent home.
“The problem is that we have three adults and three children, and trying to put them in an RV—it may take us through the winter, but it’s going to be very crowded and very uncomfortable,” Jones told the commission.
Mobile homes are considered permanent structures and are designed to be put on a foundation with permanent hook-ups. “Once it has been set up, it is hard to remove it,” Wilson explained.
Something that is used for camping has holding tanks rather than utility hookups. Such a vehicle is not meant to be a permanent building. A traveler trailer or RV has axels, so you can easily hook on to it and remove it on the same day, Wilson said.
“We are running into a big issue with the mobile homes in the county right now,” Wilson continued. “A lot of mobile home parks are closing. They are trying to get rid of these things, and people are buying them and putting them on their property, but they are not allowed. And if we can prevent them from going in, that is what we are trying todo.”
The commission was concerned about setting a precedent.
“I don’t think we want to go down that road” (of approving temporary use of a mobile home), said Commissioner Scott Bartholomew. “Just because it opens basically a can of worms for us in the future.”
