Law Doesn't Distinguish Between Modular, Site-Built Homes

    By Nick G. Maheras, High Point Enterprise, N.C.

    Apr. 16--HIGH POINT -- Neighbors routinely, and mistakenly, refer to the modular homes waiting to be assembled on Whites Mill Road as "manufactured" or "mobile" homes.

    There's a big difference, according to Lee Burnette, city planning director.

    The homes on Whites Mill are inspected by the city, but will be built and assembled according to the state building code.

    "A modular home is partially manufactured in the factory," Burnette said. "It's assembled and inspected on site by state building code inspectors. Manufactured (mobile) homes are completely, and partially, manufactured in the plant. They're built according to a federal standard. Because it's a vehicle and can (conceivably) go across state lines, it's taxed as a vehicle.

    "Modular (homes) can go anywhere.It's like a site-built house. They are built on a permanent foundation."

    Burnette said single-wide mobile homes are not allowed in High Point.

    "We do allow double-wides in a subdivision setting," he said.

    "There has to be at least 10 of them, and they have to get special zoning approval from (High Point City) council."

    Neighbors in the area primarily object to the location of the modular homes, but Burnette said there's nothing the city can do to govern the location, or regulate the appearance, of modular homes.

    "A modular home is allowed anywhere a single-family detached dwelling is allowed," he said. "We have to apply the same standards as we do for single-family homes. The city has no laws -- nor the ability to enact any laws -- to regulate them."

    The trouble that some modular homeowners can get into in north High Point and Greensboro, Burnette said, is that properties cost so much in both areas that homeowners may, sometimes, nothave enough money left to build a house that's comparable in value to those around them.

    Bill Lamb, a Realtor with Coldwell

    MODULAR, 2A

    ?Modular (homes) can go anywhere. It's like a site-built house.'

    Lee Burnette

    City planning director

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    Copyright (c) 2007, High Point Enterprise, N.C.

    Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

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