By Sarrah Peters/News Editor
Belinda Childress, Etowah County’s new chief license inspector, wants to remind citizens of a law that requires mobile homes to have decals that show they are licensed, similar to car or boat tags.
The law is not new, but when Childress and Deputy License Inspector Glenda Boatwright began enforcing the law, they realized that many Etowah residents were unaware that they needed to display a decal. Some mobile home owners have purchased the decals, but not displayed them, which can still result in a citation.
The inspectors are currently conducting a field audit, where they go out and check mobile homes for the decals. The audits have not been conducted since 2010. Full enforcement of displaying the mobile home decals will begin May 1.
It is important to not only purchase the decal, but also to display according to the instructions on the decal. It is to be placed at eye level and be visable from the road. However, as long as the inspectors can plainly see the decal, citations most likely will not be given. Some improper decal locations that Childress has encountered included meters, mailboxes and front doors.
The decals can be purchased through the revenue commissioner. A single-wide decal is $24, while a double-wide’s decal is $48. A commercially used mobile home cost $96.
If the decal is not paid before the due date, there is a $10 late fee and a $15 citation fee. After another 15 days, $24 is added to the citation fee. If violators do not comply, it is a Class C misdemeanor.
For more information, contact Childress at 256-549-8101 or Boatwright at 256-549-2163.