Dadeville council adopts new manufactured‑home zoning and grading permit rules

Dadeville's City Council on a unanimous voice vote adopted two land‑use ordinances that update where manufactured homes may locate and require permits for many land‑disturbing activities.

The council passed Ordinance 528 to clarify permitted locations and conditions for manufactured homes and manufactured‑home parks. Councilor Johnson raised concerns about affordability and single‑wide units on small parcels, asking how the ordinance would affect residents who can only afford single‑wide units. Council members and staff said the ordinance does not change rules for pre‑existing manufactured homes on a lot and preserves limits tied to surrounding property values; it was presented as a clarification rather than a new restriction.

The council also approved Ordinance 529, which requires a city grading permit for a broad range of land‑disturbing activities while listing exemptions for minor residential landscaping and garden work, single‑family dwellings on lots under one acre, agricultural practices and certain forestry activities that follow best practices. Planning‑zoning chair Mitsy Hiddings was present to answer questions and staff said the permitting framework is intended to reduce uncontrolled clearing, runoff, and related site problems.

Both ordinances were discussed in a recent council work session and adopted after votes at the meeting. The immediate effect is to give clearer permitting guidance to residents, developers and staff; the city emphasized exemptions intended to avoid burdening routine home gardening or lawful farming activities.

The council did not record individual vote tallies in the meeting transcript; the record shows motions, seconds and voice votes approving both ordinances. The city indicated planning staff will provide further guidance on implementation and on where manufactured homes remain permitted under the updated code.