WATERLOO - A number of rural Black Hawk County flood victims have been living in trailers next to their damaged homes.

The county Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday to make those temporary living quarters legal.

Board members voted unanimously to amend the zoning ordinance and allow for manufactured homes to be placed on lots as temporary housing when the primary residence on the property was damaged in a natural disaster.

"This puts us back into compliance with those people who are trying to get their lives back in order," board chairman John Miller said.

Many of the June flood victims have been living in trailers provided by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency. While the ordinance did not allow trailers to be located as a second residence on rural lots, the county ignored the requirements until approving the zoning amendment.

The ordinance now allows a temporary mobile or manufactured home on a lot for up to 18 months, the standard length of time FEMA allows someone to use the mobile homes. The mobile home must have all water, sewer and electrical services and must remain ready to be removed from a flood plain if another disaster strikes.

Supervisor Scott Jordan said he supported the measure but wanted to ensure the trailers didn't remain on the property when they were no longer needed.

"I don't want a bunch of trailers sitting around and left there forever," he said. "Is there any teeth in there, so we can make them move them?"

The ordinance is enforceable, zoning officials said. But Miller noted there also is a provision to extend the time beyond 18 months if there's a good reason.

Contact Tim Jamison at (319) 291-1577 or tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com.