Commission recommends ordinance change to permit qualified manufactured homes under state law
June 10, 2026 | Berea, Madison County, Kentucky
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The Berea Planning and Zoning Commission voted Tuesday to recommend that city council amend the Land Management and Development Ordinance to permit "qualified manufactured homes" in residential zones, in order to comply with 2025 House Bill 160 (KRS 100.348). Staff said the draft ordinance contains a typographical year error and will be corrected to reference the 2025 legislative session before the item goes to council.
Amanda, planning staff, reviewed the statutory changes and the ordinance language the commission is being asked to recommend. She read part of the statute aloud to summarize legislative intent: "the Kentucky General Assembly hereby recognizes and affirms that the protection of property values is a legitimate issue to local governments... At the same time, the Kentucky General Assembly hereby recognizes and affirms that... quality affordable housing through qualified manufactured homes serves as an essential public purpose." Amanda explained the practical definitions that will govern local administration: a "qualified manufactured home" must have been manufactured within five years of installation, have transport components removed, be affixed to a permanent foundation, be at least 20 feet wide at its narrowest point (or be two stories), have its main entrance oriented to the street, and contain at least 900 square feet of living area. She also noted the statute provided a deferred effective date of July 1, 2026.
On inspections and enforcement, Amanda said local departments will perform site-placement and utility inspections (electrical, plumbing, sewer) and will permit attached features such as porches and decks; certified installers approved through the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction will perform manufactured-home installation oversight at factory or site as required by the statute. She clarified that existing deed restrictions and covenants could still apply and that whether they must be amended is a legal question for property owners and their attorneys; staff maintains copies of subdivision deed restrictions but does not itself enforce them.
Commissioners who spoke praised the potential for high-quality, lower-cost housing and urged public education to reduce stigma around manufactured housing. A motion to recommend the ordinance amendment to city council was moved and seconded; the commission approved the recommendation on a roll-call vote. Staff will forward the corrected draft and planned context briefing to council ahead of the required readings.
Next steps: staff will correct the year reference in the draft ordinance, prepare a briefing for city council, and schedule the item for the council's two readings required for ordinance adoption.
Amanda, planning staff, reviewed the statutory changes and the ordinance language the commission is being asked to recommend. She read part of the statute aloud to summarize legislative intent: "the Kentucky General Assembly hereby recognizes and affirms that the protection of property values is a legitimate issue to local governments... At the same time, the Kentucky General Assembly hereby recognizes and affirms that... quality affordable housing through qualified manufactured homes serves as an essential public purpose." Amanda explained the practical definitions that will govern local administration: a "qualified manufactured home" must have been manufactured within five years of installation, have transport components removed, be affixed to a permanent foundation, be at least 20 feet wide at its narrowest point (or be two stories), have its main entrance oriented to the street, and contain at least 900 square feet of living area. She also noted the statute provided a deferred effective date of July 1, 2026.
On inspections and enforcement, Amanda said local departments will perform site-placement and utility inspections (electrical, plumbing, sewer) and will permit attached features such as porches and decks; certified installers approved through the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction will perform manufactured-home installation oversight at factory or site as required by the statute. She clarified that existing deed restrictions and covenants could still apply and that whether they must be amended is a legal question for property owners and their attorneys; staff maintains copies of subdivision deed restrictions but does not itself enforce them.
Commissioners who spoke praised the potential for high-quality, lower-cost housing and urged public education to reduce stigma around manufactured housing. A motion to recommend the ordinance amendment to city council was moved and seconded; the commission approved the recommendation on a roll-call vote. Staff will forward the corrected draft and planned context briefing to council ahead of the required readings.
Next steps: staff will correct the year reference in the draft ordinance, prepare a briefing for city council, and schedule the item for the council's two readings required for ordinance adoption.
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