Mobilehome parks: rental restrictions: exemptions: emergencies.
The bill has significant implications for mobilehome park management and tenants during emergencies. It facilitates the ability of park management to utilize their properties more effectively under challenging circumstances, thereby potentially increasing housing availability for individuals displaced by disasters. It underscores a shift towards a more centralized response to housing needs during state emergencies, affirming that housing is a statewide concern rather than solely a local affair. This supports efforts to address the pressing housing shortage in California, providing a mechanism for more responsive solutions.
Assembly Bill No. 760 aims to amend Section 798.23 of the California Civil Code by introducing exemptions related to rental restrictions in mobilehome parks during times of emergency. The existing law prevents management from renting out mobilehomes unless they are housing onsite employees or avoiding vacancies in specific scenarios. AB760 expands these provisions to exempt mobilehome parks located in areas under a state or local emergency, or in adjacent areas, thereby allowing greater flexibility in managing rentals during crisis situations. This amendment is particularly pertinent due to ongoing housing shortages and natural disasters affecting the state.
Notably, the bill touches on contentious issues regarding the balance of power between state authority and local governance. While proponents argue that the bill is necessary for rapid and effective responses to housing needs during emergencies, critics may see it as state overreach into local jurisdictions' regulatory authority. The inclusion of provisions that allow management to rent mobilehomes even if local rules prohibit it in emergencies may raise concerns among local governments about their ability to maintain control over housing issues within their jurisdictions.