Mobile Home Parks

There are 18 mobile home parks(PDF, 381KB) operating as private and resident owned communities within the City of San Marcos. 

Do you qualify?

  • If you plan to buy or rent a manufactured home that has a recorded deed restriction, please complete an Application to Occupy a Deed Restricted Space(PDF, 392KB) and return with the required documents to the City of San Marcos for approval.  
  • The City of San Marcos has recorded deed restrictions on many mobile homes in San Marcos. 
  • The City requires that deed restricted units must be kept available to low and moderate income households. 
  • A recorded deed restriction serves as an affordability covenant that restricts the income level of a household occupying the property, and ensures the property will remain available for low and moderate income households throughout the 30 year term of the deed restriction.
  • The designated mobile home park properties are all deed restricted.

(PDF, 2MB)

Rent review

The city’s Mobile Home Rent Review Commission was established by the San Marcos City Council to encourage fair bargaining between mobile home owners and mobile home park owners to achieve mutually satisfactory agreements regarding space rental rates in mobile home parks.

The purpose of the ordinance is to protect residents of such parks from unreasonable rental increases, while preserving for the park owners a “just and reasonable return” on the park owner’s investment. Rent Review Commission procedures(PDF, 496KB)

Read the ordinance(PDF, 32KB)
Ask for a rental review(PDF, 60KB)

Get help

Submit fair housing complaint

California Department of Housing & Community Development

The State of California designated a mobilehome ombudsman within the Department of Housing and Community Development to provide public assistance in handling and coordinating the resolution of problems and complaints relating to residing in manufactured homes.

Mobilehome Assistance Center: The Office of the Mobilehome Ombudsman

916-263-4742
MHAssistance@hcd.ca.gov

Mobile Home residency law

State law covering landlord/tenant Mobilehome Residency Law, requirements for operating a park under the Mobilehome Parks Act and owner's rights and obligations regarding manufactured home registration and titling.

Legal assistance and mediation

Landlord/tenant issues between park owners and residents are managed through civil court proceedings. The following local resources offer no- or low-cost assistance:

Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc.

216 South Tremont Street, Oceanside, CA 92054 877-34-2524 | www.lassd.org

Elder Law & Advocacy | San Diego and Imperial counties

Legal advice at no charge for low-income seniors age 60+ 760-439-2535 | http://seniorlaw-sd.org

San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program

707 Broadway, Suite 1400, San Diego, CA 92101
619-235-5656 | www.sdvlp.org

National Conflict Resolution Center (Main Office)

530 B Street, Suite 1700, San Diego, CA 92101
619-238-2400 | www.ncrconline.com

San Diego County Small Claims Court Advisor

858-634-1777 (Mon to Thurs | 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, 1:30 to 4:30 pm)
24-hour recording: 858-634-1900

Resident advocacy groups 

Golden State Manufactured Home Owners League (GSMOL), Region 7

A statewide volunteer organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the health, safety, welfare, rights and investment of members throughout California. (800) 888-1727 |www.gsmol.org

San Marcos Mobilehome Resident Association (SMMRA)

A private, nongovernmental association that advocates for manufactured/mobilehome-owner's way of life throughout San Marcos, California. www.smmra.org | Email: info@smmra.org

Educational Community for Homeowners (ECHO)

A nonprofit membership corporation dedicated to assisting California homeowners associations. (408) 297-3246 |www.echo-ca.org

City of San Marcos resources

The City of San Marcos has limited authority under state law to enforce issues affecting private- and resident-owned manufactured home parks.

The City has authority to assist with the following issues:

  • Review of rent increases, only if a petition is submitted by 51 percent of affected residents.

  • Health and safety issues affecting a park that constitute a public nuisance.

The city does not have the authority to intervene in issues such as:

  • Requests for an interpretation of leases or other park correspondence.

  • Providing legal advice.

  • Billing disputes or monetary claims against the manufactured park corporation.

  • Disputes between residents and park owners.

Rent review

The San Marcos Mobilehome Rent Review Commission receives, reviews and holds hearings on petitions relating to space rent increases filed by at least 51 percent of affected park residents. The goal is to protect home owners and residents from unreasonable increases while allowing park owners to receive a fair rate of return on their investment as required by the courts. These protections do not apply to accord agreements or rental agreements exceeding 12 months. For more information about the SMMRRC, call 760-744-1050.

Health and safety/public nuisance issues

The city is authorized to enforce certain health and safety issues affecting manufactured home parks common areas which constitute a public nuisance. Examples of such issues that should be reported to the City include, but are not limited to, those relating to fuel, gas, oil, water, electrical, mechanical, sewage connections, construction, plumbing installations, roadways and grading.

To report a health and safety concern, visit the city's online Report a Concern portal or call 760-744-1050.

Prescription drug disposal

County of San Diego Sheriff's Prescription Drop-Off Box
San Diego County Sheriff's San Marcos Station
182 Santar Place, San Marcos, CA 92069
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Q&A

What is the program?

  • Owners of deed-restricted properties must disclose the existence of the deed restriction to all prospective occupants, buyers, and real estate agents marketing their properties.
  • Prospective occupants must income-qualify with the City of San Marcos at 120% of the San Diego County Area Median Income, adjusted for household size.
  • The goal of the program is to preserve affordable housing in the City of San Marcos.

Who is eligible?

  • Prospective occupants whose combined projected income does not exceed 120% of the San Diego County Area Median Income.
  • The city does not provide financing to purchase a deed-restricted manufactured home.
  • Prospective occupants must have sufficient funds to purchase or rent the deed-restricted manufactured home property.

What are the income limits?

120% of the Area Median Income (AMI), based on household size.

What types of properties are deed (resale) restricted?

Select manufactured home properties in these five resident-owned parks in San Marcos:

  • Twin Oaks Valley Park
  • San Marcos View Estates
  • Casitas Del Sol
  • Madrid Manor
  • La Moree Mobile Estates

How can I find out if a property is deed (resale) restricted?

Please call the city for information about a specific property. The city does not publish a list of deed-restricted properties.

What are the procedures for approval to occupy a deed (resale) restricted space?

  • Due to current market conditions, the city receives many inquiries. Proof of funds to purchase must be provided before the city will process an application.
  • Applications are only processed for buyers who are ready to open escrow.
  • Complete the City’s Application to Occupy a Deed Restricted Space and submit it with required documents to:
    Housing &Neighborhood Services
    City of San Marcos
    1 Civic Center Drive
    San Marcos, CA 92069
  • You will receive a letter notifying you of eligibility. If approved, provide the letter to the escrow company as proof of eligibility.

If I am a realtor listing a deed (resale) restricted property:

  • Confirm with the City of San Marcos that the property is deed restricted.
  • Direct prospective buyers to this webpage or the city to obtain an application.
  • Ensure prospective buyers have income-qualified with the city. The deed restriction is recorded on the property, and penalties apply for non-compliance.
  • Request proof of income eligibility at close of escrow.

For more information on the Manufactured Home Park Affordable Housing Occupancy Program, call (760) 744-1050, ext. 4517.

Si le gustaría obtener esta información en Español, por favor llame al (760) 744-1050, extensión 4517.

 

Need help?

Housing & Neighborhood Services
760-744-1050, ext. 4517
email

 

Back to top