Chapter 02. Construction, Equipment, Sanitation, Operation, and Maintenance of Mobile Home Parks

“Access road” means the road leading from the entrance to the mobile home park to the mobile home spaces throughout the park.

“Approving Authority” means the Secretary of Health or his designee.

“Camping vehicle” means a vehicular accommodation (other than a mobile home) suitable for temporary habitation, used for travel, vacation, or recreational purposes, whose overall length does not exceed 28 feet, or whose gross weight does not exceed 4500 pounds, and is occupied in any one place for a period not exceeding 30 days. Areas where camping vehicles only are accommodated, or State-owned camping areas accommodating other than camping vehicles on an emergency overnight basis, shall be exempted from these regulations.

“Fire prevention authority” means the State Fire Marshal or the fire prevention authority of the local political subdivision.

“Garbage” means all animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparing, cooking, and serving of food, exclusive of recognized industrial by-products and human and animal feces.

Mobile Home.

Mobile Home Park.

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

“Permit” means a written permit issued by the Approving Authority in accordance with these regulations.

“Person” means a person, persons, individual, partnership, firm, corporation, company, or association having charge, care, custody, ownership, or control of a park, or part of a park.

“Refuse” means all putrescible, nonputrescible, combustible, noncombustible, and solid waste materials, including garbage, rubbish, and ashes, but not including sewage.

“Right-of-way” means the strip of land used for access roads, motor vehicular traffic, parking, and walkways.

“Service building” means a building housing toilet, bathing facilities, laundry, and any other facilities as may be required by these regulations.

General Requirements. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a park without a permit issued annually by the Approving Authority. Application for the permit shall be made in writing on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Approving Authority, and in the case of a new park, or a park to be materially altered, enlarged, or added to, shall include plans and specifications for the proposed park, alterations, enlargements, or additions. Permits shall be nontransferable and shall be posted in a conspicuous place.

Issuance or Denial of a Permit. When, upon review of the application and following complete inspection of the premises, the Approving Authority is satisfied that the park meets the sanitation requirements (Regulations .04--.14 inclusive) of these regulations, a written permit to operate shall be issued. If the park does not meet the sanitation requirements, the permit shall be denied. Final denial shall be in writing, setting forth the reasons for the denial.

Suspension or Revocation of Permits. A permit may be temporarily suspended by the Approving Authority after due written notification regarding the violation by any person of any of the items outlined under the general sanitation requirements of these regulations, or revoked after a hearing by the Approving Authority upon repeated violation. Any person shall have the right of appeal to the Secretary of Health and, after that, may appeal to the circuit courts of the counties or Baltimore City.

Right of Entry. The Approving Authority shall have the power to enter at reasonable times upon any private or public property for the purpose of inspecting and investigating conditions relative to the enforcement of these regulations.

Access for Repairs. It shall be incumbent upon every occupant of a mobile home park to allow the owner of it or his agent or employee access to any part of the park or its premises at reasonable times for the purpose of making any repairs or alterations as are necessary to effect compliance with these regulations or with any lawful order issued pursuant to these regulations.

Site Location. A park may not be located in swamps or marshes or adjacent to swamps or marshes, or in areas not subject to drainage. Every park shall provide suitable space for recreation. The park grounds shall be maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition at all times.

Park Area. Sufficient area shall be provided in the park to accommodate the designated number of mobile home spaces, necessary access roads and walkways, parking areas for motor vehicles, service buildings where required, play areas, and individual water supply or sewage disposal system, or both, where needed.

Location and Minimum Size of New and Existing Mobile Home Spaces.

Setback. A mobile home may not be located less than 25 feet from any public roadway, street, or public right-of-way, and no part of any structures in the park may obstruct any access road or walkway in the park.

Mobile Home and Camping Vehicle Location. A mobile home or camping vehicle may not be occupied in a park unless it is situated in a mobile home space. An independent mobile home, or camping vehicle containing a flush toilet or a bath or shower, and so designed as to be connected to utilities and sanitary facilities may not be located on a dependent mobile home space.

Right-of-Way and Access Road. Each park established after these regulations have been adopted shall be provided with a right-of-way which shall have a minimum width of 40 feet. This right-of-way shall accommodate the access roads which shall provide for continuous forward movement, and shall connect with a street or roadway and with each mobile home space within the park. The right-of-way may also accommodate walkways and parking spaces for motor vehicles. (See Regulation .10B of this chapter). All access roads shall be paved or otherwise satisfactorily treated to control dust and mud.

Walkways. In parks having a service building, walkways shall be provided from all mobile home spaces to the building. Walkways may not be less than 2 feet wide and shall be hard-surfaced and even to prevent tripping hazards, well marked in daytime, and lighted at night as required in Regulation .10B of this chapter.

Clothes Drying. Outside clothes-drying spaces, or other approved facilities, shall be provided. When central outdoor clothes-drying space is provided, a minimum of 2500 square feet per 100 mobile home spaces, or fraction of that, shall be furnished. Outdoor clothes-drying facilities may be installed on the individual home space as part of the basic facilities.

Building and Equipment. If the park accommodates independent mobile homes exclusively, a service building may not be required; however, one is recommended for emergency use. Every park accommodating one or more dependent mobile homes shall be provided with at least one adequately equipped service building.

Required Facilities.

Location, Construction, Facilities.

Requirements. A potable water supply, capable of furnishing a minimum of 150 gallons of water per day per mobile home space, and producing a minimum of 20 pounds per square inch of pressure at all mobile home service connections, shall be provided. If a private water supply is used, minimum treatment shall be chlorination by a method acceptable to the Secretary of the Environment or his designee. The water supply may not be installed, altered, improved, or used without written permission of the Secretary of the Environment or his designee.

Service Connections. The water system of the mobile home park shall be connected to all service buildings and made available to all independent mobile home spaces by service connections conforming with all applicable plumbing codes.

Protection of Service Connections. All service connections shall be so constructed and so located that they will not be damaged by the parking of mobile homes, and shall be protected from freezing.

Drinking Fountains. Where drinking fountains are provided for public use, they shall be of a type and placed in locations acceptable to the Secretary of the Environment or his designee.

Self-Contained Units. Water or ice used in the storage tank of a self-contained water unit of a mobile home or camping vehicle shall be obtained only from sources acceptable to the Secretary of the Environment or his designee.

Requirements. A sewage disposal system may not be installed, altered, improved, or used without the written permission of the Secretary of the Environment or his designee.

Sewer Connections. Each independent mobile home space shall be equipped with provisions for making a watertight connection between the mobile home drain and the sewer. Each individual sewer connection shall be so constructed that it may be closed when not connected to a mobile home, and when not in use shall be capped so as to prevent the escape of any odors and the entrance of vermin. The connections and installations shall comply with all applicable plumbing codes.

Sewer Lines. All sewer lines shall be laid in accordance with plans approved by the Secretary of the Environment or his designee.

Self-Contained Units. All contents of self-contained sewage storage units of mobile homes or camping vehicles shall be discharged only into an approved sewage disposal system by methods acceptable to the Secretary of the Environment or his designee.

Storage, Collection, Disposal. The storage, collection, and disposal of garbage and refuse shall be so managed as to not create health hazards, rodent harborage, insect-breeding areas, accidents, fire hazards, or air pollution.

Containers. All refuse awaiting collection shall be stored in leak-proof, rodent-proof containers with tight-fitting lids and shall be located not more than 150 feet from any mobile home space. Containers shall be provided in sufficient number and capacity for proper storage of all refuse. The lids shall be kept in place while refuse is being stored.

Storage Racks or Platforms. Racks or concrete platforms shall be provided on which to store containers for refuse. These container racks or platforms shall be so designed as to prevent tipping, to minimize spillage, container deterioration, and to facilitate cleaning.

Collection. All refuse shall be collected at least twice weekly, or more often if the need is indicated. When suitable collection service is not available from municipal or private agencies, the park operator shall provide this service. All refuse shall be collected and transported in covered vehicles or covered containers.

Private Disposal. Where municipal or private disposal service is not available, the park operator shall dispose of the refuse in a manner acceptable to the Approving Authority.

Service Outlet. An electrical outlet supplying at least 115 volts shall be provided for each mobile home space. The installation of all service outlets shall comply with all applicable electrical codes and ordinances. The main power supply line to the park shall be installed in an approved manner.

Exterior Lighting. All access roads, parking areas, and walkways within the park shall be illuminated at night so that the roads, areas, and walkways are clearly visible.