Temporary Housing and Zoning Amendments

As communities begin the long recovery process in the wake of Hurricane Florence, many residents will need temporary housing. One challenge, though, is the zoning ordinance. Most zoning ordinances strictly limit manufactured homes and recreational vehicles (RVs). As the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) looks to deploy temporary housing and as residents look for housing alternatives, local governments may need to amend zoning ordinances temporarily. This blog outlines policy considerations for permitting temporary housing, as well as the process for quickly acting on a zoning ordinance amendment. FEMA and the North Carolina Housing Task Force have developed a strategy to deploy both RVs (travel trailers) and manufactured homes as part of the overall recovery effort. According to Tracy McCauley, FEMA’s Deputy Individual Assistance Branch Director for Housing, FEMA anticipates that the initial period of assistance for direct housing (RVs and manufactured homes) will be 18 months. RVs will be used where repairs are expected to take 6-12 months, and manufactured homes will be used where repairs are expected to take more than 12 months. For general information, here is the FEMA Fact Sheet on Temporary Housing Units. Recognizing the need to temporary housing, local governments are considering how to adjust zoning or unified development ordinances to quickly permit temporary housing while still ensuring public health and safety. As discussed more below, local governments seeking to accommodate temporary housing should consider the types and locations of temporary housing, the time frame for temporary housing, dimensional and design standards (including administrative modification), utility connections, public safety concerns such [...]