Bloomington, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 14 § 14.545

(a) Location. No manufactured home park
, youth camp
or recreational camping area
may be so located that drainage from the park or camp area will endanger any water supply. All such parks and camps must be well drained and no portion of the park or camp must be located in an area subject to flooding. No wastewater from manufactured homes
or recreational camping vehicles
may be deposited on the surface of the ground.


(b) Caretaker
. A responsible caretaker
must be in charge of every manufactured home park
, youth camp
or recreational camping area
at all times and the duty of said caretaker
must be to maintain the park, its facilities, grounds and equipment in a clean, orderly and sanitary condition in compliance with all applicable state laws, rules and ordinances. The caretaker
must be the owner or operator of the park or camping area, or that person’s
appointed representative. The caretaker
must be readily available at all times in case of emergency. The caretaker
must also be in charge of maintaining order on the premises, preventing and terminating nuisance conduct on the premises and enforcing lease terms relating to unit maintenance.


(c) Manufactured home
and recreational vehicle spacing.


(1) Placement of structures.


(A) No manufactured home
, attachment
or other structure may be parked or situated closer than ten feet to the side lot lines of a manufactured home park
if the abutting property is improved property or closer than 30 feet to a public street or alley.


(B) No manufactured home
unit, attachment
or other structure may be parked or situated on any city, state or county right-of-way, easement or within the external setbacks for the property as set forth in the Chapter 21 of this city code without the explicit written approval of the controlling unit of government.


(C) Each unit site
must have a lot frontage of not less than 25 feet measured by the back of the private street and a minimum depth of 80 feet.


(D) Each unit site
must abut or face on a driveway or clear unoccupied space of not less than ten feet in width, which space must have unobstructed access to a public highway or alley.


(E) There must be an open space of at least ten feet between the sides of adjacent manufactured homes
including their attachments
and accessory buildings, and at least three feet between manufactured homes
when parked end to end. The space between manufactured homes
may be used for parking of motor vehicles or other property provided such vehicle or other property be parked at least ten feet from the nearest adjacent manufactured home
position and does not block any fire lanes.


(2) Recreational camping areas
. Recreational camping vehicles
must be separated from each other and from other structures by at least ten feet. Any accessory building such as attached awnings, carports or individual storage facilities, must, for the purpose of this separation requirement, be considered part of the recreational camping vehicle . A minimum site size of 2,000 square feet must be provided for each recreational camping vehicle in camping areas constructed after July 1, 1970. All recreational camping vehicles must be located at least 25 feet from any camping area property boundary line abutting upon a public street or highway and at least ten feet from other park property boundary lines.


(d) Water and sewer connections. All manufactured home parks
, recreational camping areas
and youth camps
must be connected to municipal water and sewer systems in accordance with Chapter 11 of this city code.


(e) Plumbing. All plumbing systems in manufactured home parks
, youth camps
and recreational camping areas
must be installed and maintained in accordance with Minnesota Rules Chapter 4715, the State Plumbing Code or successor rules and Chapter 15 of this city code.


(1) Water supply. An adequate supply of water of safe, sanitary and potable quality must be provided in each manufactured home park
site, recreational camping area
and youth camp
. Water supplies must meet the requirements of Minnesota Rules Chapter 4720 for public water supplies.


(2) Minimum water supply. In manufactured home parks
, the water supply must be capable of supplying a minimum of 150 gallons per day per manufactured home
, and in recreational camping areas
, the water supply must be capable of supplying 50 gallons per camping site per day for all sites lacking individual water connections, and 100 gallons per site per day for all spaces provided with individual water connections. The water piping system must not be connected with any non-potable or questionable water supplies and must be protected against hazards of backflow and back siphoning.


(3) Water supply location. In recreational camping areas
, water from the drinking water supply must be available within at least 400 feet of every campsite.


(4) Water supply design. The system must be so designed and maintained as to provide a pressure of not less than 20 pounds per square inch under normal operating conditions at service buildings and other locations requiring a potable water supply. In manufactured home parks
and on recreational camping sites provided with individual water service connections, riser pipes must be so located and constructed that they will not be damaged by the parking of manufactured homes
or recreational camping vehicles
. Water riser pipes must extend at least four inches above the ground elevation and the minimum pipe size must be three-fourths inch. Adequate provisions must be made to prevent freezing of service lines, valves and riser pipes. If underground stop and waste valves are installed, they must be at least ten feet from the nearest buried portion of the sewage system. Water risers on unoccupied sites must be valved off. There must be a horizontal distance of at least ten feet between water and sewer riser pipes; provided, that where the sewer riser is constructed of cast iron pipe and the water riser is constructed of copper pipe, the distance between may be less than ten feet.


(5) Location and construction of sewer lines. Individual site sewer connections must be at least a four-inch diameter sewer riser pipe. The sewer connections must consist of one pipe without any branch fittings. All joints must be water-tight. All materials used for sewer connections must be corrosive resistant, nonabsorbent and durable. The inner surface must be smooth. Provisions must be made for capping the sewer riser pipe when a manufactured home
or recreational camping vehicle
does not occupy the site. Surface drainage must be directed away from the riser; the rim of the riser pipe must extend at least four inches above ground elevation.


(f) Toilet, bathing and laundry facilities.


(1) Number. In dependent manufactured home parks
and recreational camping areas
which harbor manufactured homes
and recreational camping vehicles
which are not equipped with toilet and bathing facilities, one or more central buildings must be provided and equipped with such facilities. The number of fixtures must be in accordance with the following schedule:


Number of Dependent Sites
Toilets
Urinals
Lavatories
Showers
Men
Women
Men
Men
Women
Men
Women

Number of Dependent Sites
Toilets
Urinals
Lavatories
Showers
Men
Women
Men
Men
Women
Men
Women
1--15
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
16--30
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
31--45
2
2
1
3
3
1
1
46--60
2
3
2
3
3
2
2
61--80
3
4
2
4
4
2
2
81--100
3
4
2
4
4
2
2
101--130
4
5
3
5
5
3
3
131--160
5
6
3
6
6
4
4
161--190
6
7
3
7
7
4
4
191--220
7
8
4
8
8
5
5
221--250
8
9
4
9
9
5
5
251--280
9
10
4
10
10
6
6
281--310
10
11
5
11
11
6
6
311--340
11
12
5
12
12
7
7
341--370
12
13
5
13
13
7
7
371--400
13
14
6
14
14
8
8





(2) Location. In recreational camping areas
or dependent manufactured home parks
where laundry and bathing facilities are provided, such facilities must be in buildings that are well constructed with adequate heating and ventilation, good lighting and floors of impervious material sloped to drain. Walls must be of washable material. There must be no exposed studs or rafters. Toilet facilities must not be more than 400 feet from the furthest site to be served and must be plainly marked according to sex. In conjunction with bathing facilities, there must be provided a dressing area or dressing compartment, the floor of which must be impervious and well drained. Mats, grids and walkways made of cloth or other absorbent material must not be used, provided that single-service mats may be used. Where clothes drying lines are provided, they must be located in areas out of regular pedestrian traffic patterns and where they will generally not be a hazard to the safety to the occupants of the camping area. No laundry trays, washing machines, dryers or extractors may be located in any toilet, bath or dressing room.


(3) Sanitary stations. Recreational camping areas
accommodating recreational camping vehicles
having a self-contained liquid waste system with a waste reservoir must provide a sanitary station for the disposal of wastewater. Such sanitary stations must be equipped with a four-inch sewer riser pipe, surrounded at the inlet by a concrete apron sloped towards the inlet drain, and provided with a suitable hinged cover. A water outlet, with the necessary appurtenances connected to the camp water supply system, must be provided to permit periodic wash down of the immediate adjacent areas. Each recreational camping area
accommodating self-contained recreational camping vehicles
must provide sanitary stations in the ratio of one for every 100 recreational camping vehicle
sites or fraction thereof. Sanitary dumping stations must be screened from other activities by visual barriers such as fences, walls or natural growth and must be separated from any recreational camping vehicle
site by a distance of at least 50 feet. Final disposal of sewage from such dumping stations must be by a method acceptable to the enforcement authority
, the Public Works Department and State Pollution Control Agency.


(g) Barbecue pits, fireplaces, fire pits and stoves. In manufactured home parks
, youth camps
and recreational camping areas
, cooking shelter, barbecue pits, fireplaces, fire pits and wood-burning stoves must be so located, constructed, maintained and used as to minimize fire hazards and smoke nuisance both on the property on which used and on neighboring property. No open fire may be permitted except in facilities provided by the licensee. No open fire may be left unattended. No fuel may be used or no material burned which emits dense smoke or objectionable odors. All open fires must meet the requirements of Article IV of Chapter 6 of this city code.


(h) Handling and disposal of garbage and refuse. The storage, collection and disposal of refuse, garbage and litter in the manufactured home parks
, youth camps
and recreational camping areas
must be so conducted as to create no health hazards, rodent harborage, insect breeding areas, accident or fire hazards or air pollution. All refuse and garbage must be stored in fly-tight, water-tight, rodent-proof containers, which must be located convenient to any manufactured home
site. In recreational camping areas
, garbage and refuse containers must be provided on the ratio of at least one for every four sites. Refuse and garbage collection must be made at least twice each week and more often where necessary to prevent nuisance conditions. Caretakers
must also ensure the sites and area are maintained free of litter. Final disposal of refuse and garbage by landfill methods must be accomplished in accordance with the criteria and standards established by the State Pollution Control Agency and Articles II and III of Chapter 10 of this city code.


(i) Insect and rodent harborage and infestation control. Manufactured home parks
, youth camps
and recreational camping areas
must be maintained free of accumulations of debris, which may provide rodent harborage or breeding places for flies, mosquitoes and other pests. Storage areas must be so maintained as to prevent rodent harborage. Areas must be so maintained as to prevent the growth of tall weeds and grass as well as noxious weeds considered detrimental to health and in accordance with Article VI of Chapter 10 of this city code.


(j) Night lighting. The walkways, drives and other used portions of manufactured home parks
must be lighted during the hours of darkness in compliance with § 21.301.07 of this city code for the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians at night.


(k) Community kitchen and dining rooms. When community kitchens and dining rooms are provided, such facilities and equipment must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times, and must be constructed and equipped in compliance with state laws and rules applicable to food-handling establishments and licensed under Article V of Chapter 14 of this city code.


(l) Bottled gas. Where bottled gas is used, the container must be firmly connected to the appliance by tubing of copper or other suitable metallic material. Cylinders containing bottled gas must not be located within five feet of any manufactured home
or recreational camping vehicle
door. The container must not be installed or stored even temporarily inside any manufactured home
or recreational camping vehicle
. No container may be permitted to stand free, but must be firmly mounted in an upright position.


(m) Fuel oil supply systems. All piping from outside fuel storage tanks or cylinders to manufactured homes
or recreational camping vehicles
must be permanently installed and securely fastened in place. All fuel oil storage tanks or cylinders must be securely fastened in place and must not be located inside or beneath any manufactured home
or recreational camping vehicle
or less than five feet from any manufactured home
or recreational camping vehicle
exit. All fuel oil containers must be mounted upon a stand or rack constructed of a noncombustible material.


(n) Fire protection. Fire protection must be provided in accordance with the requirements of the state fire code and Article II of Chapter 6 of this city code.


(o) Streets and roadways. The licensee must maintain streets and roadways on the licensed premises in a manner that is free of pot holes, breaks in the pavement, rough surfaces, standing water and any problems that would impede or be hazardous to vehicular traffic. It is the responsibility of the licensee to maintain an unobstructed road width of not less than 20 feet for the passage of emergency vehicles. The speed limit for such roadways must not be greater than ten mph and must be clearly posted throughout the park or camping area and subject to enforcement by the Police Department. All streets and roadways must be assigned a name that does not duplicate any existing road names in the city and must be approved by the issuing authority
. It is the responsibility of the licensee to make certain that each manufactured home
unit on the licensed premises, at all times when available for occupancy, properly displays the street address assigned in compliance with Article III of Chapter 17 of this city code.


(p) Unit and site maintenance. Manufactured home
units must be skirted between the bottom of the home and the ground with a fireproof material harmonious with the appearance of the home. Each unit must be properly tied down and secured to the pad on which it is situated. Use of plywood, hardboard, cardboard or bales of hay or straw must be prohibited by the licensee. It shall also be the duty of the licensee to require that all tenants on the licensed premises maintain their units and adjoining sites in compliance with all applicable property maintenance laws and rules, and prohibit the creation or maintenance of a public nuisance as defined in § 12.03 of this city code.


(q) Additions and accessory buildings. The licensee shall not permit the placement of any additions, attachments
or accessory buildings in violation of the required spacing requirement set forth herein or the exterior setbacks for the property. No dwelling unit or habitable space other than that of a prefabricated structure specifically designed for manufactured home use or extension may be allowed to be added to any manufactured home unit. Only one accessory building may be permitted per unit site and must be located in the rear yard area and constructed of materials that are structurally sound and compatible to the manufactured home in color.


(r) Prohibited uses and structures. The licensee must not allow or permit any illegal activity on the licensed premises, including without limitation the following:


(1) The storage of abandoned, junk or inoperable vehicles in violation of Article III of Chapter 8 of this city code;


(2) The parking or storage of any Type II or Type III vehicles as defined by § 21.301.06 (m) or the storage of recreational vehicles as defined by § 21.301.13 ;


(3) Exterior storage anywhere on licensed premises in violation of § 21.301.16 or the storage of possessions or equipment underneath a manufactured home
unit;


(4) The storage of uninhabitable manufactured home
units on the licensed premises;


(5) The use of a recreational camping vehicle
as a permanent residence; or


(6) The use of any portion of the licensed premises for nonresidential or non-camping purposes, excluding facilities related to the maintenance of the licensed premises.


(s) Utility service lines. All utility service lines or wires must be situated and maintained to allow a 16-foot high clearance measured from the surface of the internal roadway to the bottom of the line or wire, to allow the unobstructed passage of emergency vehicles.


(t) Storm shelter. The licensee must make available to all the residents on the licensed premises, on a 24-hour daily basis, a safe place of shelter capable of safely sheltering all of the residents at one time during periods of severe weather within a reasonable distance from the licensed premises. The enforcement authority
or issuing authority
may require proof thereof annually.


(u) Moving in manufactured homes
. No manufactured home that is 20 or more years old; or is found upon inspection to not be safe, sanitary and well-maintained; may be moved onto the licensed premises. Manufactured homes
may only be moved onto the licensed premises after a moving permit has been issued therefor by the city’s Buildings and Inspections Division pursuant to § 15.06 .


(v) Special event recreational camping areas
. Each special event camping area is subject to the following.


(1) Recreational camping vehicles
and tents, including attachments, must be separated from each other and other structures by at least seven feet.


(2) A minimum area of 300 square feet per site must be provided and the total number of sites must not exceed one site for every 300 square feet of usable land area.


(3) Each site must abut or face a driveway or clear unoccupied space of at least 16 feet in width, which space must have unobstructed access to a public roadway.


(4) If no approved on-site water supply system is available, hauled water may be used, provided that persons
using hauled water comply with Minnesota Rules parts 4720.4000 to 4720.4600.


(5) Nonburied sewer lines may be permitted provided they are of approved materials, water-tight and properly maintained.


(6) If a sanitary dumping station is not provided on site, arrangements must be made with a licensed sewage pumper to service recreational camping vehicle
holding tanks as needed.


(7) Toilet facilities must be provided consisting of toilets connected to an approved sewage disposal system, portable toilets or approved, properly constructed privies.


(8) Toilets must be provided in the ratio of one toilet for each sex for each 150 sites.


(9) Toilets must be not more than 400 feet from any site.


(10) If a central building or buildings are provided with running water, then toilets and handwashing lavatories must be provided in the building or buildings that meet the requirements of this subdivision.


(11) Showers, if provided, must be provided in the ratio of one shower for each sex for each 250 sites. Showerheads must be provided, where running water is available, for each camping event exceeding two nights.


(12) Central toilet and shower buildings, if provided, must be constructed with adequate heating, ventilation and lighting, and floors of impervious material sloped to drain. Walls must be of a washable material. Permanent facilities must meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.


(13) An adequate number of durable, covered, water-tight containers must be provided for all garbage and refuse. Garbage and refuse must be collected as often as necessary to prevent nuisance conditions.


(14) Campgrounds must be located in areas free of poison ivy or other noxious weeds considered detrimental to health. Sites must not be located in areas of tall grass or weeds and sites must be adequately drained.


(15) Campsites for recreational vehicles may not be located on inclines of greater than 8% grade or one inch drop per linear foot.


(16) A responsible attendant or caretaker
must be available on site at all times during the operation of any special event recreational camping area
.


(Ord. 2010-13, passed 5-17-2010; amended by Ord. 2013-9, passed 4-1-2013; Ord. 2015-33 , passed 11-16-2015; Ord. 2016-27 , passed 11-7-2016; Ord. 2017-9 , passed 5-1-2017; Ord. 2019-2 , passed 1-7-2019; Ord. 2019-50 , passed 12-16-2019; Ord. 2024-28 , passed 11-18-2024)