Mobile homes, also known as trailers, house trailers or residential caravans are compact and affordable living spaces that offer you the flexibility to travel and see the world.
However, before you put a mobile home in your garden, you should check with your local zoning department. There are some restrictions that may apply to this type of housing.
Planning Permission
There are a few issues to consider when considering whether you can put a mobile home in your garden. The most obvious is that you will need to obtain planning permission for the structure. This is because, in the eyes of the law, a mobile home is considered to be development and therefore needs planning permission. However, the situation can be complex and there are many considerations and interpretations.
Firstly, you need to be aware that there is a very high chance that your application will be refused. While it is true that residential annexes are often granted planning permission, caravans are much larger and can have over five bedrooms. Additionally, caravans do not have to be a certain style and can be finished to your own preferences. Moreover, they are usually situated in the rear garden of a property and not the front garden which is generally used for parking and access to the house. This is a significant difference and could prove to be the reason for the refusal.
Another issue is that, in some cases, the local authority may decide that a caravan in the garden represents a material change of use. This would be the case if the caravan had all of the facilities that would allow it to be occupied independently of the main dwelling and is not used for this purpose.
In these situations, we recommend submitting a statutory declaration or affidavit to the Council in order to demonstrate that the structure is not for independent occupation. This is because it will help to clarify the situation for the local authority. Alternatively, you may wish to apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness. This is a document from the planning authority that confirms that you do not need planning permission to situate your caravan in your garden as long as it meets the Caravan Act requirements.
It is important to note that, even if you do receive this document, the local authority can still object to your caravan or garden room and will require it to be removed from the site. It is therefore important to consult with a planning expert before deciding on what steps to take.
Zoning
Many people assume that they can do whatever they want with a piece of property that they own, but this isn’t always true. Some communities have zoning regulations that prevent you from doing certain things with your property, and these regulations may apply to mobile homes as well. Often, these restrictions are not written in your deed and can be quite complicated. It’s important to check with your city or county office before you put a mobile home in your garden. If you don’t, you could find yourself having to remove it at your own expense and paying fines for violating zoning regulations.
The zoning requirements for putting a mobile home in a garden vary by location, but you can generally put one in your backyard if it does not extend past the fence line of your property. However, if your mobile home is larger than the neighboring house and it exceeds the height of the fence, you will need to get a permit to install it. You should also consult the local zoning laws to determine if you need to obtain a permit for utility connections.
Some councils allow caravans and mobile homes up to 6.8x20m to be sited in gardens without planning permission as long as they are used by members of the household for extra living accommodation and not as a separate dwelling house. Other councils only allow these structures to be sited on the direct garden of a house rather than in a separate area and they usually only permit these buildings up to 2 bedrooms.
It’s not uncommon for people to buy into a mobile home co-op or trailer park as a way to save money. Although these types of communities have had negative stereotypes, they are actually clean and safe places to live. You can add to the value of your mobile home by incorporating some simple gardening projects into your yard. Some examples include adding a bird feeder and a wishing well to attract birds to your yard, planting flowers that thrive in hot areas, and adding a few decorative touches like solar lights and wind chimes.
Regulations
The rules for putting a mobile home in your garden vary by state, so it’s important to know the regulations in your area. For example, zoning regulations will determine whether you can put a mobile home in your backyard. You may also need to get a permit for the installation. In addition, you must make sure that the mobile home can be connected to your local utilities. If you’re unsure about the regulations in your area, it’s a good idea to talk to other homeowners who have installed mobile homes in their gardens. This will help you avoid any problems in the future.
Caravans, including mobile homes, can be sited in the direct garden of a house without planning permission if they are used by members of the household as additional living space and not as separate or independent accommodation. The structure must also be located in the actual garden and not on surrounding land.
Moreover, you should always be prepared to explain how you intend to use the caravan and your rationale for it. This will be helpful in ensuring that the Council is not unduly concerned about your intention to place a caravan in your garden. You can do this by preparing an affidavit or statutory declaration, which can be made under oath in the presence of a solicitor.
When it comes to putting a mobile home in your garden, you should remember that there are many different things you can do to improve its curb appeal. For instance, you can add a new door and replace old windows. You should also make sure that the mobile home has proper ventilation and lighting. In addition, you should re-mulch the ground around the mobile home. This will give it a fresh, attractive look and will help to protect the soil from erosion.
Unlike single-family homes, mobile homes are typically designed on long lean lots that allow the front of the home to face the street. Therefore, it’s important to consider the entire front of your property when making your curb appeal plans. This includes the entrance, driveway, and landscaping.
Legality
A mobile home is a type of home that is designed and built to be transportable by road in one or two sections. It is also often used as holiday or temporary accommodation. Although it is not a permanent structure, a mobile home can be sited in the garden of a house, provided that the local authority has no objections. If you want to put a mobile home in your garden, it is important to understand the laws and regulations that apply. This will help you avoid fines and violations and ensure that your mobile home is safe and legal to use.
The most important issue when considering putting a mobile home in your garden is the legality of it. There is no law that prevents a caravan from being kept in the garden of a house as it is regarded as an article of movable personal property known as a chattel. Therefore, it can be sited in the same way that garden furniture or a car can be sited.
Planning permission may be required if the mobile home is larger than the size of your house or if it will be used as a separate residence. However, if it is a smaller mobile home and will be used by members of the household as additional living space, then you should not need to apply for planning permission. You can try to satisfy your local authority by providing an affidavit or statutory declaration that states the mobile home will not be used as independent accommodation.
It is also important to check your property deed and contact the zoning department before putting a mobile home in your garden. Many property deeds include restrictive covenants that would prevent you from putting a mobile home on the land. If you proceed without doing your research, you could find yourself removing the home at your own expense and paying city or HOA fines.
In addition to zoning issues, you should also consider the amount of space that is available in your garden. A mobile home will not take up a lot of space, but you will need adequate space to cultivate a garden and host parties. You should also make sure that there is a sufficient distance between your mobile home and your neighbors’ houses to prevent privacy issues.