San Juan Capistrano : Council May Change Mobile Home Ordinance

The City Council tonight will consider changing its mobile home park ordinance to require tenants who want hearings on rent increases to file petitions within 30 days of the increase.

Under the current ordinance, adopted in 1982, a city hearing officer conducts a “non-binding review” to determine if the rent increase is reasonable, said City Atty. John Shaw. After the hearing, all increases automatically go to the mobile home review committee and the City Council for final approval.

Another proposed change in the ordinance would require landlords to base rent increases on actual costs, rather than a simple formula based on the value of the property.

A third change would also give a majority of tenants in a park veto power over certain capital improvements, such as swimming pools or spas that would increase their rent.

If the council tentatively approves the changes, it will take a final vote on them June 4. The amended ordinance would go into effect 30 days later.

The council tonight also will take a preliminary vote on changes in the city’s parking regulations that would allow the Sheriff’s Department to remove automobiles parked on city streets for more than 72 hours.