Athens City Code

Except as specifically defined herein, all words used in this chapter have their customary dictionary definitions where not inconsistent with the context. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Buffer strip. An evergreen buffer shall consist of a greenbelt planted strip not less than ten feet in width. Such a greenbelt shall be composed of one row of evergreen trees, spaced not more than 40 feet apart and not less than two rows of shrubs or hedge, spaced not more than five feet apart and which grow to a height of five feet or more after one full growing season and which shrubs will eventually grow to not less than ten feet.

Health officer means the director of a city, county, or district health department having jurisdiction over the community health in a specific area, or his duly authorized representative.

Mobile home (trailer) means a detached single-family dwelling unit with any or all of the following characteristics:

1. (1) Designed for long-term occupancy and containing sleeping accommodations, a flush toilet, a tub or shower bath, and kitchen facilities, with plumbing and electrical connections provided for attachment to outside systems.
2. (2) Designed to be transported after fabrication on its own wheels or on a flatbed or other trailer or detachable wheels.
3. (3) Arriving at the site where it is to be occupied as a complete dwelling, including major appliances and furniture, and ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations, location on foundation supports, connection to utilities, and the like.
4. (4) Exclusion. A unit constructed with a minimum of a nominal two-inch by four-inch studded walls, at least 20 feet wide, which is placed on a permanent masonry foundation, from which all evidence of mobility has been removed, and which has a sloped roof shall not be considered a mobile home regardless of how it is transported to the building site.

Mobile home park means any plot of ground on which two or more mobile homes occupied for dwelling or sleeping purposes are located.

Mobile home space means a plot of ground within a mobile home park designated for the accommodation of one mobile home.

Permit (license) means the permit required for mobile home parks, single mobile homes, and travel trailer parks. Fees charged for mobile home and travel trailer parks under the permit requirements are for inspection and the administration of this chapter.

Travel trailer means a travel trailer, pickup camper, converted bus, tent-trailer, tent, or similar device used for temporary portable housing or a unit which:

1. (1) Can operate independent of connections to external sewer, water, and electrical systems;
2. (2) Contains water storage facilities and may contain a lavatory, kitchen sink, and/or bath facilities.

Travel trailer park means any plot of ground on which two or more travel trailers, occupied for camping or periods of short stay, are located.

1. (1) It is unlawful for any mobile home to be used, stored, or placed on any lot or serviced by the utilities of the city where said mobile home is outside of any designated and licensed mobile home park or approved mobile home subdivision (see subdivision regulations) after the date of passage of the ordinance from which the provisions in this chapter are derived, excepting mobile homes located on licensed mobile home sales lots and except as provided in subsection (b) of this section.
2. (2) Any mobile home already placed on a lot outside of a mobile home park on or before the date of passage of the ordinance from which the provisions in this chapter are derived will be permitted to remain at its present location. Any mobile home site at any location with utility connections and other facilities constructed specifically for utilization as a permanent mobile home parking site in existence prior to the date of the passage of the ordinance from which the provisions in this chapter are derived shall be permitted to be utilized for parking and servicing mobile homes hereafter. If said present mobile home shall remain vacant for a period of 60 days, said mobile home owner shall be given, at the end of that 60 days, a period not to exceed 15 days in which to remove said mobile home and to comply with all provisions of this chapter.
3. (3) No mobile home shall be used, placed, stored or serviced by utilities within the city or within any mobile home park in the city unless there is posted near the door of said mobile home a valid state license. Mobile homes in mobile home subdivisions and any individually located mobile homes shall be assessed property taxes.

1. (1) Permit for mobile home park.
   1. (a) No place or site within the city shall be established or maintained by any person, group of persons, or corporation as a mobile home park unless a valid permit is issued by the city building inspector in the name of such person for the specific mobile home park. The city building inspector is authorized to issue, suspend, or revoke permits in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
   2. (b) Mobile home parks in existence as of the effective date of the ordinance from which these provisions are derived shall be required to obtain a mobile home park permit. Existing mobile home parks which cannot comply with the requirements regarding mobile home parks shall be considered as a nonconforming use; provided, however, if at any time the ownership of said park shall change, said new owner shall be given a period not to exceed 30 days in which to comply with current mobile home park regulations in all respects and his failure to do so shall render him ineligible for a mobile home park permit at his present location. Said existing mobile home parks shall comply with all state regulations applicable thereto which were in force prior to the establishment of said mobile home park.
2. (2) Inspections by city building inspector. The city building inspector is hereby authorized and directed to make inspections to determine the condition of mobile home parks in order that he may perform his duty of safeguarding the health and safety of occupants of mobile home parks and of the general public. The city building inspector shall have the power to enter at reasonable times upon any private or public property for the purpose of inspecting and investigating conditions relating to the enforcement of this chapter.
3. (3) Length of occupancy. No mobile home space shall be rented in any mobile home park except for periods of 60 days or more, and no mobile home shall be admitted to any park unless it can be demonstrated that it meets the requirements of the state regulations.
4. (4) Location and planning. The mobile home park shall be located on a well-drained site and shall be so located that its drainage will not endanger any water supply and shall be in conformity with a plan approved by the city planning commission and shall be located in districts as specified in the zoning ordinance.
5. (5) Minimum size of mobile home park. The tract of land for the mobile home park shall comprise an area of not less than five acres. The tract of land shall consist of a single plot so dimensioned and related as to facilitate efficient design and management.
6. (6) Minimum number of spaces. The minimum number of spaces completed and ready for occupancy before first occupancy is 12.
7. (7) Minimum mobile home space and spacing of mobile homes. Each mobile home space shall be adequate for the type of facility occupying the same. Mobile homes shall be parked on each space so that there will be at least 15 feet of open space between mobile homes or any attachment such as a garage or porch (if the construction of additional rooms or covered areas is to be allowed beside the mobile homes, the mobile home spaces shall be made wider to accommodate such construction in order to maintain the required 15 feet of open space) and at least 15 feet end-to-end spacing between trailers and any building or structure, 20 feet between any trailer and property line and 35 feet from the right-of-way of any public street or highway and ten feet from streets within the park. In addition, each mobile home space shall contain:
   1. (a) A minimum lot area of 3,000 square feet;
   2. (b) A minimum width of at least 40 feet and a minimum depth of at least 75 feet;
   3. (c) A minimum depth with end parking of an automobile equal to the length of the mobile home, plus 30 feet;
   4. (d) A minimum depth with side or street parking equal to the length of the mobile home, plus 15 feet.
8. (8) Common area. A centrally located area shall be provided for recreational use by the occupants of the mobile home park. This area shall be maintained in an attractive manner and shall be well-drained and free from flood. The minimum size of this area shall be equal to 300 square feet per mobile home.
9. (9) Water supply.
   1. (a) Where a public water supply is available, it shall be used exclusively. The development of an independent water supply to serve the mobile home park shall be made only after written approval of plans and specifications has been granted by the city engineer and county health officer.
   2. (b) In those instances where an independent system is approved, the water shall be from a supply properly located, protected, and operated and shall be adequate in quantity and approved in quality. Samples of water for bacteriological examination shall be taken before the initial approval of the physical structure and thereafter at least every four months and when any repair or alteration of the water supply system has been made. If a positive sample is obtained, it will be the responsibility of the mobile home park operator to provide such treatment as is deemed necessary by the health officer to maintain a safe, potable water supply. Water shall be furnished at the minimum capacity of 250 gallons per day per mobile home space. An individually metered water service connection shall be provided for each mobile home space.
10. (10) Sewage disposal.
    1. (a) An adequate sewage disposal system must be provided and must be approved in writing by the health officer and city engineer. Each mobile home space shall be equipped with at least a six-inch sewer connection, trapped below the frost line and reaching at least four inches above the surface of the ground. All sewer lines shall be laid in trenches separated at least ten feet horizontally from any drinking water supply line.
    2. (b) Every effort shall be made to dispose of the sewage through a public sewerage system. In lieu of this, a septic tank and subsurface soil absorption system may be used, provided the soil characteristics are suitable and an adequate disposal area is available. The minimum size of any septic tank to be installed under any condition shall not be less than 750 gallons working capacity. This size tank can accommodate a maximum of two mobile homes. For each additional mobile home on such a single tank, a minimum additional liquid capacity of 175 gallons shall be provided. The sewage from no more than 12 mobile homes shall be disposed of in any one single tank installation. The size of such tank shall be a minimum of 2,500 gallons liquid capacity.
    3. (c) The amount of effective soil absorption area or total bottom area of overflow trenches will depend on local soil conditions and shall be determined only on the basis of the percolation rate of the soil. The percolation rate shall be determined as outlined in Appendix A of the state department of health bulletin, entitled "Recommended Construction of Large Septic Tank Disposal Systems for Schools, Factories and Institutions." This bulletin is available on request from the department. No mobile home shall be placed over a soil absorption field.
    4. (d) In lieu of a public sewerage or septic tank system, an officially approved package treatment plant may be used.
11. (11) Refuse. The storage, collection, and disposal of refuse in the park shall be so managed as to create no health hazards. All refuse shall be stored in flyproof, watertight, and rodentproof containers. Satisfactory container racks or holders shall be provided. Garbage shall be collected and disposed of in an approved manner at least twice per week.
12. (12) Electricity. An electrical outlet supplying at least 220 volts shall be provided for each mobile home space and shall be weatherproof and accessible to the parked mobile home. All electrical installations shall be in compliance with the National Electrical Code and state department of insurance and banking Regulation No. 15, entitled "Regulation Relating to Electrical Installations in the State of Tennessee," and shall satisfy all requirements of the local electric service organization.
13. (13) Streets. Minimum widths of various streets within mobile home parks shall be:
    1. (a) One-way, with no on-street parking: 12 feet.
    2. (b) One-way, with parallel parking on one side only: 18 feet.
    3. (c) One-way, with parallel parking on both sides: 26 feet.
    4. (d) Two-way, with no on-street parking: 20 feet.
    5. (e) Two-way, with parallel parking on one side only: 28 feet.
    6. (f) Two-way, with parallel parking on both sides: 36 feet.
14. (14) Street or road base. The base shall consist of crushed stone, grade D, class B, compacted to six inches, and constructed as specified in section 303 of the state department of highways' Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 1968.
15. (15) Asphaltic concrete surface course (hot mix). The asphaltic concrete surface course (paved surface) shall be constructed with asphaltic concrete (grading E) compacted to two inches with not less than an average weight of 200 pounds per square yard and constructed as specified in Section 411, pages 258 through 260 of the state department of highways' Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction (and subsequent revisions), January 1, 1968.
16. (16) Parking spaces. Car parking spaces shall be provided in sufficient number to meet the needs of the occupants of the property and their guests without interference with normal movement of traffic. Such facilities shall be provided at the rate of at least one car space for each mobile home lot, plus an additional car space for each three lots to provide for guest parking, for two-car tenants and for delivery and service vehicles. Car parking spaces shall be located for convenient access to the mobile home spaces. Where practical, one car space shall be located on each lot and the remainder located in adjacent parking bays. The size of the individual parking space shall have a minimum width of not less than ten feet and a length of not less than 20 feet. The parking spaces shall be located so access can be gained only from internal streets of the mobile home park.
17. (17) Buffer strip. An evergreen buffer strip shall be planted along all boundaries of the mobile home park (see definition of the term "buffer strip" in ACC 14-202).

1. (1) Occupied travel trailers restricted to parks. It is unlawful for any travel trailer to be occupied or serviced outside of any properly designated travel trailer park. This provision shall not apply to the storage of travel trailers, provided said trailer unit is neither temporarily nor permanently occupied as a dwelling unit while within the city limits.
2. (2) Permit for travel trailer park. No place or site within the city shall be established or maintained by any person, group of persons, or corporation as a travel trailer park unless he holds a valid permit issued by the city building inspector in the name of such person for the specific travel trailer park. The city building inspector is authorized to issue, suspend, or revoke permits in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
3. (3) Inspections by city building inspector or county health officer. The city building inspector or county health officer is hereby authorized and directed to make inspections to determine the condition of travel trailer parks, in order that he may perform his duty of safeguarding the health and safety of the occupants of travel trailer parks and of the general public. The building inspector or county health officer shall have the power to enter at reasonable times upon any private or public property for the purpose of inspecting and investigating conditions relating to the enforcement of this chapter.
4. (4) Length of occupancy. Travel trailer spaces shall be rented by the day or week only, and the occupant of such space shall remain in the same travel trailer park not more than 14 days.
5. (5) Location. Travel trailer parks shall be located in districts as specified in the zoning ordinance of the city.
6. (6) Minimum size of travel trailer space. Each travel trailer space shall have a minimum width of 30 feet and a minimum length of 50 feet.
7. (7) Site planning improvements. Site planning improvements shall conform to the standards established in Regulations VIXX of the State Regulations Governing the Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Organized Camps in Tennessee, as provided in chapter 65, Public Acts of 1965.

It is unlawful for any person to maintain or operate, within the corporate limits of the city, any mobile home park unless such person shall first obtain a permit therefor.

An annual permit fee shall be required for mobile home parks and travel trailer parks.

1. (1) Mobile home parks. The annual permit fee for mobile home parks shall be $25.00.
2. (2) Travel trailer parks. The annual permit fee for each travel trailer park shall be $25.00.

1. (1) Mobile home parks. The application for a mobile home park shall be filed with and issued by the city building inspector subject to the planning commission's approval of the mobile home park plan. The application shall be in writing and signed by the applicant and shall be accompanied by an approved plan of the proposed mobile home park. The plan shall contain the following information and conform to the following requirements:
   1. (a) The plan shall be clearly and legibly drawn at a scale not smaller than 100 feet to one inch;
   2. (b) Name and address of owner of record;
   3. (c) Proposed name of park;
   4. (d) North point and graphic scale and date;
   5. (e) Vicinity map showing location and acreage of mobile home park;
   6. (f) Exact boundary lines of the tract by bearing and distance;
   7. (g) Names of owners of record of adjoining land;
   8. (h) Existing streets, utilities, easements, and watercourses on and adjacent to the tract;
   9. (i) Proposed design, including streets, proposed street names, lot lines with approximate dimensions, easements, land to be reserved or dedicated for public uses, and any land to be used for purposes other than mobile home spaces;
   10. (j) Provisions for water supply, sewerage, and drainage;
   11. (k) Such information as may be required by the city to enable it to determine if the proposed park will comply with legal requirements; and
   12. (l) The application and all accompanying plans and specifications shall be filed in triplicate. Certificates that shall be required are:
       1. (i) Owner's certification;
       2. (ii) The planning commission's approval signed by the secretary; and
       3. (iii) Any other certificate deemed necessary by the planning commission.
2. (2) Individual mobile homes. The application for an individual mobile home permit shall be filed with and issued by the city building inspector. Applications shall be in triplicate form and signed by the applicant. The application shall contain the following:
   1. (a) The name of the applicant who is to reside in the mobile home;
   2. (b) The location of the mobile home;
   3. (c) A description of the mobile home, make, model and year;
   4. (d) The state mobile home license number and date; or if property taxes are being paid by the applicant for said mobile home, the applicant shall indicate date taxes last paid and amount.
   5. (e) Any additional information as may be required by the city to enable it to determine if the mobile home and site will comply with all legal requirements.
3. (3) Travel trailer parks. Applications for travel trailer parks shall meet the same requirements as contained in subsection (a) of this section.

1. (1) It shall be the duty of the county health officer and city building inspector to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
2. (2) Where septic tanks are to be used, the planning commission shall require certificates of approval by the county health officer.

1. (1) Board of appeals. The city regional planning commission shall serve as the board of appeals and shall be guided by procedures and powers compatible with state law. Any party aggrieved because of an alleged error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the building inspector in the enforcement of this chapter may appeal for and receive a hearing by the board of appeals (advised by the city attorney) for an interpretation of pertinent chapter provisions. In exercising this power of interpretation of this chapter, the board of appeals, with advice from the city attorney, may, in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, reverse or affirm any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the building inspector.
2. (2) Appeals from board of appeals. Any person or any board, taxpayer, department, or bureau of the city aggrieved by any decision of the board of appeals and the city attorney may seek review, by a court of record, of such decision in the manner provided by the laws of the state.

Any person or corporation who violates the provisions of this chapter or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant hereto, or fails to perform the reasonable requirements specified by the city building inspector or county health officer, after receipt of five days' written notice of such requirements, shall be subject to a civil penalty under ACC 1-13.