§ 3-4-5. Piers; anchors.

Mobile homes and those recreational vehicles off the wheels or permanently attached to water, electricity and sewerage during an official hurricane season from June fifteenth to November fifteenth of each year shall be placed upon piers anchored and secured in accordance with this section; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as requiring that anchors and tie-downs be installed to secure mobile homes which are permanently attached to a permanent structure. A permanent structure shall have a foundation and such other structural elements as are required pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the state department of highway safety and motor vehicles, which assure the rigidity and stability of the mobile home.

(1)

Piers.

a.

Pier foundations shall be installed directly under the main frame (or chassis) of the mobile home or recreational vehicle. The piers shall not be farther apart than ten (10) feet on center and the main frame (or chassis) front or back shall not extend farther than one (1) foot beyond the centerline of the end piers.

b.

All grass and organic material shall be removed and the pier foundation placed on stable soil. The pier foundation shall be placed level and shall be sixteen (16) inches by sixteen (16) inches by four (4) inches solid concrete, precast or poured in place.

c.

Piers shall be constructed in accordance with Figures I, II and III, which are made a part of this section.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY BUILDING DEPARTMENT MOBILE HOME PIERS

(2)

Tie-downs. Each mobile home and recreational vehicle to which this chapter applies shall be provided with a minimum number of tie-downs as hereinafter provided.

a.

The following chart shall apply to single-wide mobile homes:

	Nominal Length of Mobile Home (Including Hitch)
	Up to 40'	41' to 60'	61' and up
Frame ties per side	3	5	7
Over-the-roof ties per side	3	3	3
Number of anchors per side	3	5	7

 

b.

All tie-down straps shall be one and one-fourth (1¼) by thirty-five hundredths (.035) inches galvanized ((.30) oz. per square foot) steel strap conforming to federal specification QQ-S-781F, Type 1, Class B, Grade 1 (or the equivalent).

c.

The first over-the-roof and frame tie point must be within twenty-four (24) inches or at first stud and truss from each end. All other over-the-roof and frame ties shall be as equally spaced as is feasible. All frame ties shall be secured to the main steel beam that runs the length of the home.

d.

Mobile homes manufactured with over-the-roof straps shall be placed with all straps secured to approved anchors in addition to required frame ties.

e.

Tie-down straps that will be reused (as when moving a mobile home) shall have the crimped or twisted ends cut off where they were in contact with the strap clevis and provided with a strap extension using a manufactured strap buckle.

f.

Over-the-roof straps and frame straps shall be fastened to anchors by an approved double-head screw device. Strap buckles shall be used when fastening straps to frame or chassis.

g.

Double-wide mobile homes shall have over-the-roof and frame ties installed within twenty-four (24) inches of each end and at intervals as described for single-wide homes. These specifications are minimum standards as set by the state department of highway safety and motor vehicles. The number of over-the-roof and frame ties may exceed the minimum standards if the mobile home manufacturer's certifying registered engineer so specifies on his certified plans and specifications. Tie-downs, anchors and devices used in the county shall meet minimum standards for same as required by the state.

(3)

Ground anchors. An approved ground anchor shall be a steel screw auger with a minimum of five-eighths inch diameter rod with a minimum auger diameter of six (6) inches. The auger shall penetrate at least three and one-half (3½) feet below the ground surface and shall be augered in a minimum of two (2) feet.

(4)

Accessories. Cabana room additions, carports, awnings, shutters and similar structures shall meet the requirements of the Charlotte County Building Code.

(5)

Unoccupied or temporarily unoccupied mobile homes or trailers. Every owner of a mobile home or travel trailer shall secure, or place indoors, all loose items located upon his premises, whenever said mobile home or travel trailer is left unoccupied for a period in excess of one (1) week and within six (6) hours after the issuance of a hurricane alert by the national weather service.

(Ord. No. 75-15, § 3, 6-3-75)

State law reference

Tie-down and installation of mobile homes and park trailers, F.S. § 320.8325.

Cross reference

Buildings and building regulations, Ch. 3-2.