New zoning rules are on the horizon in Erlanger after the passage of House Bill 160, which bars local governments from treating manufactured homes differently than traditional single-family homes.
During a meeting on July 15, Andy Videkovich, Director of Planning for the Planning and Development Services of Kenton County, discussed the new zoning rules resulting from the passage of House Bill 160 earlier this year.
The bill, passed on April 1, prohibits local governments from adopting or enforcing zoning regulations that treat manufactured homes differently from single-family homes. The legislation aims to help boost the housing supply while still supporting local control and maintaining home values.
“A qualified manufactured home is not a mobile home, not a double wide, it is basically a stick-built home, but rather than being built on the site, it’s built in a warehouse or a factory somewhere,” said Videkovich. “Then it’s brought in on a truck or several trucks and put together on the site.”
Cities can still regulate homes based on certain design and appearance standards, but they cannot outright deny these homes solely because they are manufactured homes. However, homeowners associations can still make requirements for manufactured homes beyond their local government’s requirements.
“[In] a lot of your newer subdivisions, in addition to whatever the zoning requires, there are also restricted covenants and deed restrictions,” said Videkovich. “Those restrictive covenants and deed restrictions go above and beyond the zoning requirements. So, for instance, the zoning may say fences are allowed in the front yard, but if your HOA does not allow fences in the front yard, then you’re gonna have to meet those requirements.”
The City of Erlanger already allows qualified manufactured homes in its zoning regulations, but changes may be needed upon review of Section 4.05, B, 4. The section currently states compatibility standards, such as siding or roof pitches, that will need to be revisited and made comparable to those of a single-family home.
The bill goes into effect July 1, 2026.