It is the intent of this Article to provide areas which are property located and designed to accommodate the leisure time and vacation activities of transient residents utilizing transient trailers and similar recreational vehicles, and intended for short-term residential occupancy only. It is further intended to safeguard the health and safety of residents of trailer parks, to ensure compatibility with the natural environment and to ensure harmony with the character of the surrounding area. (back to top)
As used in this Ordinance:
A. Transient Trailer includes any of the following:
1. Travel Trailer - a vehicular, portable structure built on a chassis, designed to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreation and vacation uses;
2. Pick-up Coach - a structure designed to be mounted on a truck chassis for use as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreation and vacation;
3. Motor Home - a portable, temporary dwelling to be used for travel, recreation and vacation, constructed as an integral part of a self-propelled vehicle;
4. Camping Trailer - a canvas, folding structure, mounted on wheels and designed for travel, recreation and vacation use;
5. Any other mobile recreational vehicle subject to the provisions of Chapter 23-21 of the General Laws of Rhode Island, 1956, as amended.
B. Transient Trailer Park means a parcel of land in which two (2) or more spaces are occupied or intended for occupancy by transient trailers for transient dwelling purposes and in which transient trailer spaces are rented by the day or week only, and the occupancy of such space remains in same transient trailer park for not more than ninety (90) days within a period of one (1) year. (back to top)
No building permit shall be granted for the construction of a transient trailer park until the Zoning Board of Review shall grant a special-use permit therefore in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance. Upon receipt of a completed application as required by Section 2103, the Zoning Board shall refer two copies of the application to the Middletown Planning Board for site plan review, who shall make a written report to the Zoning Board within 45 days of receipt of the application for a special-use permit. Where the decision of the Zoning Board differs from the recommendations of the Planning Board, the reasons therefore shall be clearly stated in writing. (back to top)
An application for a special-use permit to construct a transient trailer park shall contain, as a minimum, site plans and supplementary information as required by Section 704, plus the following:
A. Complete engineering plans and specifications of the proposed park showing:
1. The area and dimensions of the tract of land;
2. The number, location and size of all transient trailer spaces;
3. The location and width of streets and walkways;
4. The location of service buildings, sanitary stations, and any other proposed structures;
5. The location and area of required recreation areas;
6. The location of water and sewer line and riser pipes;
7. Plans and specifications of the water supply and refuse and sewage disposal facilities;
8. Plans and specifications of all buildings constructed or to be constructed within the transient trailer park;
9. The location and details of lighting and electrical systems; and
10. Evidence of compliance with all appropriate state laws and regulations, particularly those dealing with sanitation, sewage disposal and water supply. (back to top)
The following standards of development shall apply to all transient trailer parks: (back to top)
No transient trailer park shall be less than ten (10) acres in land area. (back to top)
The overall density of the transient trailer park shall not exceed twenty (20) transient trailer spaces per acre of area of such park. (back to top)
The minimum area of any transient trailer space shall not be less than 1,200 square feet. (back to top)
In all transient trailer parks there shall be at least one recreation area which shall be easily accessible from all transient trailer spaces. The size of such recreation area shall be not less than twenty (20) percent of the area of such park. (back to top)
A landscaped buffer strip shall be maintained along all exterior property lines of a transient trailer park. Such buffer strip shall be no less than one-hundred (100) feet wide and shall be planted, screened or otherwise maintained in a natural condition in order to provide year-round visual obstruction of the transient trailer spaces from abutting land and streets. Such buffer strip may be used for recreation of a non-intensive character provided however, that no structures be located thereon. In the event that terrain or other natural features, such as adjacent water bodies, are located so that the landscaped buffer strip will not serve the intended purpose, then no such buffer strip shall be required. (back to top)
Transient trailers shall be separated from each other and from other structures by at least twenty (20) feet. Any accessory structure such as attached awnings, carports or individual storage facilities shall for purposes of this separation requirement be considered to be part of the transient trailer. Distance between permanent structures and transient trailers must be at least thirty (30) feet. (back to top)
All transient trailer parks shall be provided with safe and convenient vehicular access from abutting public streets. Each transient trailer space shall have direct access to an interior street. Alignment and gradient shall be properly adapted topography. Surfacing need not be permanent pavement, but shall provide a smooth, hard and dense surface which shall be drained. (back to top)
All transient trailer parks shall have a minimum lot frontage of fifty (50) feet on a public street. Access to transient trailer parks shall be designed to minimize congestion and hazards at their entrance or exit and allow free movement of traffic on adjacent streets. All traffic into or out of such parks shall be through such entrances and exits. (back to top)
All internal streets shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet wide. (back to top)
Each transient trailer park shall provide sufficient parking and maneuvering space so that the parking, loading or maneuvering of transient trailers shall not necessitate the use of any public street, sidewalk or right-of-way or land not part of the transient trailer park. (back to top)
All requirements regarding supply of water an disposal of sewage in transient trailer parks shall conform to all applicable laws and requirements of the State of Rhode Island, Department of Environmental Management. (back to top)
Condition of soil, groundwater level, drainage and topography shall not create hazards to the property or to the health or safety of the occupants. The site shall not be exposed to objectionable smoke, noise or odors. No portion subject to unpredictable and/or sudden flooding, subsidence or erosion shall be used for any purpose which would expose persons or property to hazards. (back to top)
Exposed ground surface in all parts of every parking area shall be paved, or covered with stone screenings, or other solid material, or protected with a mulch or vegetative growth that is capable of preventing soil erosion and of eliminating dust. (back to top)
The following uses are permitted in any transient trailer park:
A. Principal Uses - Transient trailers as defined in Section 2101;
B. Accessory Uses - Uses directly accessory to a transient trailer space such as picnic area, fireplace, utility service, etc.;
C. Community buildings - Recreation halls, laundry facilities, showers or rest rooms, convenience stores or other service buildings intended primarily to serve the residents of the transient trailer park;
D. Outdoor recreation facilities; provided, however, that any active recreation facilities shall not be located within the landscaped buffer strip required in Section 1815.
E. Administrative offices for the management of the transient trailer park, including maintenance and service areas for same. A resident manager may be permitted to occupy no more than one (1) single family dwelling located within the transient trailer park. (back to top)
No transient trailer shall be permitted to be used as a dwelling on any individual lot in the Town of Middletown except in a transient trailer park as provided in this Article. (back to top)