§ 1.30.010. Findings and purpose.

The Board of Supervisors finds and determines that:

(a)

There is presently, within the unincorporated area of the County of San Mateo and the surrounding areas, a shortage of spaces for the location of mobilehomes, resulting in a low vacancy rate and rising space rents.

(b)

Alternative sites for the relocation of mobilehomes are difficult to find, and moving and installation of mobilehomes is expensive, with possibilities of damage to the units.

(c)

Mobilehome owners have invested substantial sums in their mobilehomes and appurtenances. If mobilehome space rents are not regulated, then mobilehome owners may experience severe financial hardships, including the loss of their substantial investments in their mobilehomes and appurtenances, since they do not have the option of moving their mobilehomes to spaces within the area with equivalent or lower rents.

(d)

Beginning in April 2001, some mobilehome parks in the County began adopting rent increases that have been substantially in excess of the rate of the increase in the cost of living (as measured by the Consumer Price Index) and also began adopting substantial additional rent increases upon the change of ownership of mobilehomes.

(e)

If space rents are allowed to be increased without limits upon a change in the ownership of a mobilehome, then the value of the mobilehome owners' investments may be severely reduced and mobilehome ownership may become financially unfeasible due to the precarious nature of the investment.

(f)

This Board does, accordingly, find and declare that it is necessary to protect the residents of mobilehomes from unreasonable space rent increases and/or assessments, while recognizing the need of mobilehome park owners to receive a just and reasonable return on their investment.

(Ord. 4188, 9/23/03)