BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 253
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Date of Hearing: May 15, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 253 (Levine) - As Amended: May 2, 2013
Policy Committee: Local
GovernmentVote:8-0
Housing and Community Development 9-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill extends the same subdivision requirements that apply
to the conversion of mobilehome parks to floating home marinas.
Specifically, this bill:
1)Exempts the subdivision of a floating home marina from the
requirements required of most subdivisions of land, and
instead applies the requirements that apply to the subdivision
of a mobilehome park, at the time of filing a tentative or
parcel map.
2)Extends the same requirements that apply to the conversion of
a rental mobilehome park to resident ownership, at the time of
filing a tentative or parcel map, to rental floating home
marinas, to reduce the economic displacement of all residents
who do not purchase their unit.
3)Allows the requirement of a parcel map or tentative and final
map to be waived, as specified, when at least two-thirds of
the owners of floating homes who are tenants in a floating
home marina sign a petition indicating their intent to
purchase the floating home marina for purposes of converting
it to resident ownership and if certain other conditions are
met.
FISCAL EFFECT
Negligible fiscal impact. Although keyed a state mandate, it is
not a reimbursable mandate because the affected local agencies
can charge fees to cover the costs of the bill's requirements.
AB 253
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COMMENTS
1)Purpose . The author and sponsor, the Sausalito Floating Homes
Association, argue this bill will allow a homeowner group to
purchase a marina, thus removing a significant financial
barrier for the floating home tenants should the situation
arise in the future. Without this bill, the author and
sponsor argue that the existing process for floating home
tenants to subdivide is impractical and nearly impossible.
Additionally the author and sponsor note the process created
in the bill will treat existing homeowners fairly, whether
they want to remain as a renter or not. Supporters argue that
this bill grants to residents of floating homes the same
rights and protections currently afforded to residents of
mobile home parks.
2)Background . A floating home is considered to be real
property, not a vessel. It stays in a permanent location,
just like most homes, except the location is on the water. A
floating home is subject to property tax and usually is
connected to utilities and other services, such as cable or
satellite TV and Internet. Many people use floating homes as
their principal residences, just like owners of mobile homes.
In general, most floating home marinas are privately owned and
charge homeowners a monthly berthage fee. The author notes
that most floating home marinas are located in Marin County,
with the exception of a small marina in Alameda County. Four
marinas consisting of nearly 500 floating homes are located in
Richardson Bay in the City of Sausalito.
Analysis Prepared by : Roger Dunstan / APPR. / (916) 319-2081