Stuttgart Planning Commission: Mobile home not permitted in B-2 zone

The Stuttgart Planning Commission determined that a conditional use permit cannot be granted for a mobile home in a Business-2 (B-2) zoned area within the city limits during its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 22.

In June, Cecily Freeman, owner of the property at 907 North College, asked the commission to allow her to place a mobile home on the lot. The property is zoned for business use, which prohibits mobile homes.

Freeman said she acquired the property in 2020 with the intention of building a home but instead purchased a 2025 mobile home. She said she only learned a mobile home was not permitted on the lot when she was denied a permit to set it up.

She said she had no idea mobile homes were not allowed when she purchased the property and assumed there would be no issue, as there is another mobile home nearby.

At last month’s meeting, Commission Chair Lana Roth said the only option might be to consider a conditional use permit since the property is not zoned for mobile homes. Vice Chair Neil Maynard was not present at that meeting.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Roth asked if anyone was present to oppose the conditional use permit. No one attended in opposition; however, Code Enforcement Officer Anthony Jones said he had received three phone calls objecting to the mobile home’s placement.

Maynard stated that B-2 zoning does not allow mobile homes and said the only option would be to rezone the property. There was no motion or vote. Maynard concluded that a mobile home placement was not allowed.

Roth advised Freeman to begin the rezoning process if she still wished to place a mobile home on the property. She said Jones would provide a list of steps required to request rezoning.

The commission also heard from Mike Berg regarding accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are not to be confused with tiny homes. ADUs are structures built on properties with a primary dwelling. Berg explained that a new law passed this year—Act 1502—requires ADUs to follow the same rules and regulations as other housing and adhere to the Southern Building Code. ADUs must include a bathroom, kitchen, living area, and bedroom, all within 1,000 square feet.

Berg attended as an informational guest while the Planning Commission continues researching potential regulations for tiny homes. Roth emphasized that ADUs are not tiny homes, as they must be accessory structures to primary dwellings. She said the commission needs guidance on whether and where to allow tiny homes in the city.

Roth asked commissioners to research state regulations regarding tiny homes as part of the ongoing discussion.

The commission approved the code enforcement officer’s report and the permits presented before adjourning. The next regular meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 16, at city hall.