Attching a mobile home

[Dawn]

Can you tell me if there are any laws or restrictions in the state of Iowa for attching a mobile home to an existing house in a rural setting. We are needing more room and thought that a mobile home would be our best bet, I called the zoning commisioner (big mistake) and he told me you couldn't do it because a mobile home wasn't a residential home. Is this guy just being difficult? we had planned to connect the 2 by way of a vestabule or foyer type room. I know mobile home owners all the time add permanant structures to their mobile homes. If anyone can shed some light on this or point me in the direction of where to look , it would be appreciated.

[Mark]

Well. it wasn't really a mistake calling the zoning and planning people, they are in fact, the first people you should be talking to. What you need to do is draw a site map, it can be a basic sketch for now, but fairly close to scale. Put everything that is currently on the property on the map (that includes existing electrical, plumbing, etc). Then, in a contrasting color (pen, pencil, etc), draw in what you want to do. Take that to the Z&P office, don't call them, take it in. If they don't approve it, you can either try to appeal, or ask for alternatives.

If you ignore the Z&P and do it anyway, you can be forced to tear it down, pay fines, jail, etc.