Proposal would open thousands of acres in Volusia County to mobile homes in rural areas

Sheldon Gardner, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·4 min read

Zoning laws for thousands of rural and agricultural acres in Volusia County could be changed to allow mobile homes as a permitted type of housing.

The issue is coming up for a second and final reading at Tuesday's County Council meeting, which will begin at 4 p.m. The item won't be heard earlier than 5:01 p.m.

If approved, the ordinance "would allow for mobile homes by right within all rural and agricultural zoning classifications," according to agenda materials. That includes the Resource Corridor (RC), Rural Agriculture (A-2), Transitional Agriculture (A-3 and A-4), Rural Residential (RR) and Rural Agricultural Estate (RA) zoning classifications.

That would bring mobile homes as an allowed use to an additional 51,883 acres in the RR, A-2 through A-4 and RA zoning classifications, according to a county map.

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The Volusia County Administration Center, where the County Council chambers are located, is located in downtown DeLand.
The Volusia County Administration Center, where the County Council chambers are located, is located in downtown DeLand.

Mobile homes are already allowed as a principal use within mobile home zoning classifications MH-1-MH-8, Forestry Resource and Prime Agriculture zoning classifications, according to the county. They're allowed with restrictions "in other rural and agricultural zoning classifications."

For example, they are allowed as a special exception in A-2 zoning as temporary housing for up to 18 months while someone is building a regular or manufactured home.

The proposal, which has attracted some opposition, is intended to promote affordable housing, according to Volusia County officials.

The Volusia County Council asked staff in July of 2022 to look into the possibility of allowing mobile homes in more areas, according to a document from the county's Growth and Resource Management Department.

"By expanding affordable housing options beyond urban areas, citizens are provided increased opportunity to pursue a rural lifestyle," the document says. "In addition, the inclusion of mobile homes as a permitted housing type in the RC classification, RR classification and all agricultural classifications would allow more flexibility in home type and price. This does not increase density, only expands housing options, which may increase the opportunity for affordable housing without subsidization."

A map from Volusia County government shows several proposed areas where mobile homes would be allowed by right. The proposed areas are lined in red.
A map from Volusia County government shows several proposed areas where mobile homes would be allowed by right. The proposed areas are lined in red.

The proposed ordinance defines mobile homes as a dwelling that "is built on a permanent chassis and installed on a permanent or temporary foundation (concrete pads, dry-stacked blocks, and tie-downs)." Mobile homes would also have to follow manufactured home construction and safety standards of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and comply with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

DeLand neighbors oppose plan

DeLand neighbors John Clary and Al Thibodeaux wrote Volusia County officials opposing the plan. They both live in a zoning category that would be changed under the ordinance to allow for mobile homes by right.

Clary said he wouldn't have bought his property if mobile homes had been allowed in that area by right.

"The closer (a mobile home) is to where you live, then the more effect it has on your property values," he said.

Volusia County officials included these renderings of mobile homes as part of an agenda item on expanding areas where mobile homes are allowed.
Volusia County officials included these renderings of mobile homes as part of an agenda item on expanding areas where mobile homes are allowed.

He said the county's backup materials for the proposal show homes that don't look like true mobile homes.

"You and I know what mobile homes look like," he said.

Clary, who has lived in DeLand for about 18 years, said he believes a lot of people would be surprised to see mobile homes popping up in their areas. He said he understands that people need an affordable place to live, but this may not be the best way to go about it.

Volusia County officials included these renderings of mobile homes as part of an agenda item on expanding areas where mobile homes are allowed.
Volusia County officials included these renderings of mobile homes as part of an agenda item on expanding areas where mobile homes are allowed.

Thibodeaux, who has lived in the area for close to nine years, said some manufactured homes are of decent quality, but he is concerned about the possible effects of the ordinance if it's approved. He said he's "had trailer park neighbors before" in Louisiana and doesn't want that again. He said while living there he had to deal with nearby criminal activity because of one neighbor.

He said he moved to his current area in part for peace and isolation from other neighbors. He said he doesn't want to sell and move but he will if necessary.

"I'm not at all in favor of it," he said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia County could allow mobile homes on thousands of acres