Lyon to update mobile home rules

Saying they have improved in quality since the rule was put in place, Lyon County Building Director Nick Malarchik proposed the county end its ban on any mobile home from being moved into the county.

"The ordinance has served its purpose and should be revised," Malarchik said. "If someone wanted to bring in a 1992 home this year, they couldn't do it."

He said homes made from 1990 were better quality than homes of the past, and suggested that rather than have a 15-year limit, the commissioners should consider a rollover date.

"I don't think we've had a problem with this for seven or eight years," he said.

But Commissioner LeRoy Goodman and Code Enforcement Officer Rich Zierenberg both feel the 15-year rule is appropriate and has kept older homes out of the county.

"You can have a 1999 mobile home that is a piece of junk," Goodman said. "You have to take care of it. There's a significant difference in Silver Springs today from where it was in 1997."

Zierenberg said he has a difficult time getting rid of older mobile homes.

That change was among several proposed as the county looks to update its manufacturing housing ordinance.

Other changes include increasing the time allowed to move a manufactured home onto a lot to six months after obtaining the permit, with a 30-day extension.

If the installation is not completed even with the 30-day extension, the owner would have to request another permit.

The update also would increase the fee from $100 to $500.

Malarchik also proposed ending the use of manufactured homes as watchman's quarters in C-2 zoning, but would allow it in M-1 zoning, for industrial, mining or farm activity.

A public hearing on the ordinance changes will be held at an upcoming commission meeting.

- Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 881-7351.