I think the best thing to do is thoroughly read your lease. That should tell you what you can and cannot do regarding any structures on your lot.

And read any additional park rules handout that you were given when you signed the lease. Our lease does not contain the park rules, those are printed separately. Park rules can be pretty draconian. We can't have a clothesline, for example, and our required sheds must be painted or sided to match our homes. I think the disability angle may be your best approach. Here in my park the best approach is often to just do whatever you want without asking first, but that will vary a lot by park.

Thanks, Christopher and Cathy! I appreciate your replies. The last stick built home I owned, in the mid-1990's, was in an HOA ruled neighbourhood, and while sheds weren't required, we also had to side them to match the house--even the roofing had to match! The rule applied to all outbuildings, yes, even the dog house, lol!

I haven't signed the lease yet; the owner knows I'm coming, and I've briefly met the former park owner. My friend Faith told me I'll get a packet of information with my lease that contains the rules and regs. You're both right, of course; I need to start there. It seems obvious, so I don't know why it didn't occur to me!

Perhaps it's because I was so flummoxed when I was told I couldn't build a carport! I've just never heard of such a thing. But I will do what you've suggested. I'll read the lease and park rules carefully and then, if necessary, prepare my defence, haha! Cathy, I agree with you; I don't usually like to play the "disability card," because I am very independent and capable, and I want others to see me that way. But I may make an exception in this case because I am genuinely scared that sooner or later I'm going to take a header trying to manoeuvre my walker through dirt/mud/snow/rocks.

I've always operated on the principle that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. And besides, being a nice person has its own intrinsic rewards. I like the person I am; I would not like me if I were the person who is always riled up against "the man," and always angry about something. I believe that, even if there is this ban on carports, I'll be able to sit down with the owner over a glass of lemonade and have a polite, friendly conversation. And I believe I'll get my carport. :-)

Thanks to you both again! You've given me the tools, and I'll update what comes to pass!

Clotheslines were mentioned and that brought up something quite interesting. Clotheslines are making a comeback!

With the rising cost of energy, people nationwide are returning to clotheslines instead of the dryer for most items, but neighbors and neighborhoods are against them because of the sight of hanging clothes outside. One HOA took a homeowner to court to stop the clothesline... and lost.

Because of this, many states are passing "Right to Dry" laws that overrule HOAs and town ordinances.

I got around the clothesline ban here by using a portable umbrella style clothesline. It is invisible from the street on my back patio, and even to my neighbors unless they stand at the very back of their lot and look over. It folds up for storage when not in use. I wish I could have one permanently installed in the ground with concrete, so I could have 4 sides instead of the 3 sides the folding one has. Maybe we will take it up with management.

Our park (senior) is one of several that are owned by our owner. We are allowed carports, but NO FENCES. So, no little dog unless we are willing to keep leashed and/or tethered when outside. Other parks owned by this person are allowed fences but no carport. Go figure……. Cathyyg, can you provide a link for the clothesline?

Link to clothesline. We are not allowed fences, either. Pets are not allowed out of the homes unless they are on a leash. Dog owners comply, but many cat owners do not, letting their cats out to roam, and making the feral cat population worse even with a TNR program. Worst are the cat owners who move out and simply leave the cat behind to become feral.

AtomicJay007, that is a great idea, thanks!! I'll definitely look into that. My doctor is wonderful and would write such a letter in a second. And, of course, it's true. I do need a safe, level, preferably dry, surface between car and house. I can't believe anyone would take one look at me and not immediately see the current set up is dangerous.

Christopher, what an interesting comment on clotheslines! When my kids were growing up and we lived in central California, I had a big clothesline (the kind Cathy wants) in our backyard and I used it all the time! But so did probably 80% of the town! It was a tiny little town, almost all Dutch, and I know most of my friends there still use a clothesline. A ban on them would be unspeakable, lol!

Wantoretire_did, how odd that the park owner has different rules for different parks! I'm taking custody of a dog when I move into my MH in January and I'm definitely putting in a small back fenced yard for her. I couldn't leave her tied up outside because I'm in a fairly rural area and we have coyotes, and the occasional wildcat, and rarely bears. Also raccoons, which are way meaner than Disney would have us believe. She needs a minimum 6' high fenced area. I've had dogs most of my life, and I've had dogs in apartments, so I know they can be taken out on a leash, but it's a hassle, especially when they decide they need to go out at 1:00 AM! I often don't feel well, but it's unfair to expect a dog to just wait until I feel better. A fenced yard is the only way I can properly care for a dog in this location at this stage of my life.

Cathy, I agree with you about the cat situation. I've also had cats most of my life and will probably get one again in the next couple of years. Apart from a working farm, it is completely irresponsible to allow any cat to roam around outdoors. Cats have not been bred to be able to survive outdoors. An indoor cat with a life span of 15 years will have a life span of 3-5 years if allowed to be an outdoor cat. Cars and coyotes are the two primary reasons why. It's also just downright rude to allow your cat to roam around and use other people's yards as their litter box!

And as for people who move and leave their cat behind, I have a word for them that I can't write on this forum. That is the number one reason apartment complexes give for not allowing cats. People wouldn't leave their children behind, but would leave a living being that's even more defenseless than a child. Inexcusable.