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Mobile home caravan trailer doublewide electrical hookup (C) Daniel FriedmanBuilding Codes, Standards & Manuals for   Mobile Homes
& Trailers, Multiwides & DoubleWides

Codes & standards for manufactured homes, mobile homes, doublewides, multiwides, & trailers.

This article assists mobile home, trailer, or doublewide owners and inspectors of those homes who need to find the applicable codes and standards for manufactured homes, multiwides, trailers or mobile homes.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Manufactured Housing & Mobile Home Codes & Standards & Manuals

Mobile home with bad roof (C) Daniel FriedmanIn the U.S. the HUD code (cited below) is a national preemptive building code that pertains to manufactured homes. 

As we explain at DEFINITIONS of MOBILE HOME, DOUBLEWIDE, MODULAR, PANELIZED CONSTRUCTION

Manufactured homes are those built entirely in a factory. They are then transported to a building site and installed.

A manufactured home is a single-family dwelling built according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act, which is a national, preemptive building code. - Washington State Government, http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/FAS/Mobile/ (2014)

A mobile home is a factory-built dwelling built prior to June 15, 1976, to standards other than the HUD Code, that were acceptable under applicable state codes in effect at the time of construction or introduction of the home into the state.

Manufactured Homes other countries such as Australia are regulated by different laws that we also provide here.

Article Contents

U.S. Manufactured Home Codes, Standards, Manuals

Complete Mobile Home Codes - 2022

In the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (HUD) Title 24, Sbtitle B, Chapter XX, Part 3285 describes Model Manufactured Home Installation Standards, given for 2022 and older years in the list below.

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3535(d), 5403, 5404, and 5424.

Source: 72 FR 59362, Oct. 19, 2007, unless otherwise noted. [note the update date given above]

 

Manufactured & Mobile Home Definitions of Terms

Definitions of Types of Homes: Doublewide, Manufactured Home, Modular Home, Mobile Home, Panelized Home, Pre-Cut Home, Singlewide, Trailer

However the term "manufactured home" is used by different authorities to include a variety of construction types as we list next. Manufactured homes include:

Modular Homes

Modules are transported to the site and installed. S

See MODULAR HOME CONSTRUCTION for a detailed look at modern modular home construction.

Panelized Homes

Panels—a whole wall with windows, doors, wiring and outside siding—are transported to the site and assembled. See Panelized Construction for a detailed look at a 1950's panelized construction home that was war surplus (Fishkill NY).

Pre-Cut Homes

Building materials are factory-cut to design specifications, transported to the site, and then assembled. Pre-cut homes include kit, dome, and log homes.

LOG HOME GUIDE - provides an example of pre-cut homes, how to inspect, diagnose, and repair problems on log houses; how to identify and determine the age of different types of log homes: traditional log homes, manufactured log homes, slab-sided log homes, and alternative log homes using concrete logs and fiberglass logs.

SEARS KIT HOME IDENTIFICATION provides the most famous example of pre-cut home construction.

Mobile Homes

This is the term used for factory-built homes produced prior to when the HUD Code went into effect.

A mobile home is a factory-built dwelling built prior to June 15, 1976, to standards other than the HUD Code [cited above] that were acceptable under applicable U.S. State Codes (or equivalent in other countries) in effect at the time of construction or introduction of the home into the state. E.g. U.S. Washington State WAC 296-150-M. - Washington State Government, http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/FAS/Mobile/ (2014)

See MOBILE HOMES, DOUBLEWIDES, TRAILERS for a detailed look at the wide range of quality and condition of these homes.

See MOBILE HOME ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS for examples of differences in building & electrical code requirements depending on the type of construction.

The following is the opinion of the author and has not had a technical review by other industry experts. Various trailer, mobile home, and modular housing manufacturers may disagree with some of these views. Corrections and content suggestions are welcome.

Excerpts from U.S. HUD CFR › Title 24 › Subtitle B › Chapter XX › Part 3280 › Subpart A › Section 3280.2

§ 3280.2 Definitions.

Definitions in this subpart are those common to all subparts of the standard and are in addition to the definitions provided in individual parts. The definitions are as follows:

Approved, when used in connection with any material, appliance or construction, means complying with the requirements of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Bay window - a window assembly whose maximum horizontal projection is not more than two feet from the plane of an exterior wall and is elevated above the floor level of the home.

Certification label means the approved form of certification by the manufacturer that, under § 3280.8, is permanently affixed to each transportable section of each manufactured home manufactured for sale in the United States.

Dwelling unit means one or more habitable rooms which are designed to be occupied by one family with facilities for living, sleeping, cooking and eating.

Equipment includes materials, appliances, devices, fixtures, fittings or accessories both in the construction of, and in the fire safety, plumbing, heat-producing and electrical systems of manufactured homes.

Federal manufactured home construction and safety standard means a reasonable standard for the construction, design, and performance of a manufactured home which meets the needs of the public including the need for quality, durability, and safety.

Installations means all arrangements and methods of construction, as well as fire safety, plumbing, heat-producing and electrical systems used in manufactured homes.

Labeled means a label, symbol or other identifying mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory, inspection agency, or other organization concerned with product evaluation that maintains periodic inspection of production of labeled equipment or materials, and by whose labeling is indicated compliance with nationally recognized standards or tests to determine suitable usage in a specified manner.

Length of a manufactured home means its largest overall length in the traveling mode, including cabinets and other projections which contain interior space. Length does not include bay windows, roof projections, overhangs, or eaves under which there is no interior space, nor does it include drawbars, couplings or hitches.

Listed or certified means included in a list published by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, inspection agency, or other organization concerned with product evaluation that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials, and whose listing states either that the equipment or material meets nationally recognized standards or has been tested and found suitable for use in a specified manner.

Manufacturer means any person engaged in manufacturing or assembling manufactured homes, including any person engaged in importing manufactured homes for resale.

Manufactured home means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which in the traveling mode is 8 body feet or more in width or 40 body feet or more in length or which when erected on-site is 320 or more square feet, and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical systems contained in the structure.

This term includes all structures that meet the above requirements except the size requirements and with respect to which the manufacturer voluntarily files a certification pursuant to § 3282.13 of this chapter and complies with the construction and safety standards set forth in this part 3280.

The term does not include any self-propelled recreational vehicle. Calculations used to determine the number of square feet in a structure will include the total of square feet for each transportable section comprising the completed structure and will be based on the structure's exterior dimensions measured at the largest horizontal projections when erected on site.

These dimensions will include all expandable rooms, cabinets, and other projections containing interior space, but do not include bay windows. Nothing in this definition should be interpreted to mean that a manufactured home necessarily meets the requirements of HUD's Minimum Property Standards (HUD Handbook 4900.1) or that it is automatically eligible for financing under 12 U.S.C. 1709(b).

Manufactured home construction means all activities relating to the assembly and manufacture of a manufactured home including, but not limited to, those relating to durability, quality and safety.

Manufactured home safety means the performance of a manufactured home in such a manner that the public is protected against any unreasonable risk of the occurrence of accidents due to the design or construction of such manufactured home, or any unreasonable risk of death or injury to the user or to the public if such accidents do occur.

Registered Engineer or Architect means a person licensed to practice engineering or architecture in a state and subject to all laws and limitations imposed by the state's Board of Engineering and Architecture Examiners and who is engaged in the professional practice of rendering service or creative work requiring education, training and experience in engineering sciences and the application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences in such professional or creative work as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning or design and supervision of construction for the purpose of securing compliance with specifications and design for any such work.

Secretary means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, or an official of the Department delegated the authority of the Secretary with respect to title VI of Pub. L. 93-383.

State includes each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Canal Zone, and American Samoa.

Width of a manufactured home means its largest overall width in the traveling mode, including cabinets and other projections which contain interior space. Width does not include bay windows, roof projections, overhangs, or eaves under which there is no interior space.

Australian Manufactured Home Codes & Standards

 

HUD PART 3285—MODEL MANUFACTURED HOME INSTALLATION STANDARDS

Here is the complete document as a PDF download

Above on this page you'll find also PDF forms of some of the individual sections listed below.

Subpart A—General

§3285.1 Administration.
§3285.2 Manufacturer installation instructions.
§3285.3 Alterations during initial installation.
§3285.4 Incorporation by reference (IBR).
§3285.5 Definitions.
§3285.6 Final leveling of manufactured home.

Subpart B—Pre-Installation Considerations

§3285.101 Fire separation.
§3285.102 Installation of manufactured homes in flood hazard areas.
§3285.103 Site suitability with design zone maps.
§3285.104 Moving manufactured home to location.
§3285.105 Permits, other alterations, and on-site structures.

Subpart C—Site Preparation

§3285.201 Soil conditions.
§3285.202 Soil classifications and bearing capacity.
§3285.203 Site Drainage.
§3285.204 Ground moisture control.

Subpart D—Foundations

§3285.301 General.
§3285.302 Flood hazard areas.
§3285.303 Piers.
§3285.304 Pier configuration.
§3285.305 Clearance under homes.
§3285.306 Design procedures for concrete block piers.
§3285.307 Perimeter support piers.
§3285.308 Manufactured piers.
§3285.309 [Reserved]
§3285.310 Pier location and spacing.
§3285.311 Required perimeter supports.
§3285.312 Footings.
§3285.313 Combination systems.
§3285.314 [Reserved]
§3285.315 Special snow load conditions.

Subpart E—Anchorage Against Wind

§3285.401 Anchoring instructions.
§3285.402 Ground anchor installations.
§3285.403 Sidewall, over-the-roof, mate-line, and shear wall straps.
§3285.404 Severe climatic conditions.
§3285.405 Severe wind zones.
§3285.406 Flood hazard areas.

Subpart F—Optional Features

§3285.501 Home installation manual supplements.
§3285.502 Expanding rooms.
§3285.503 Optional appliances.
§3285.504 Skirting.
§3285.505 Crawlspace ventilation.

Subpart G—Ductwork and Plumbing and Fuel Supply Systems

§3285.601 Field assembly.
§3285.602 Utility connections.
§3285.603 Water supply.
§3285.604 Drainage system.
§3285.605 Fuel supply system.
§3285.606 Ductwork connections.

Subpart H—Electrical Systems and Equipment

§3285.701 Electrical crossovers.
§3285.702 Miscellaneous lights and fixtures.
§3285.703 Smoke alarms.
§3285.704 Telephone and cable TV.

Subpart I—Exterior and Interior Close-Up

§3285.801 Exterior close-up.
§3285.802 Structural interconnection of multi-section homes.
§3285.803 Interior close-up.
§3285.804 Bottom board repair.

Subpart J—Optional Information for Manufacturer's Installation Instructions

§3285.901 General.
§3285.902 Moving manufactured home to location.
§3285.903 Permits, alterations, and on-site structures.
§3285.904 Utility system connections.
§3285.905 Heating oil systems.
§3285.906 Telephone and cable TV.
§3285.907 Manufacturer additions to installation instructions.


Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3535(d), 5403, 5404, and 5424.

Source: 72 FR 59362, Oct. 19, 2007, unless otherwise noted.

Do the same building codes regulate the construction of modular homes and caravans, trailers, doublewides, mobile homes?

Reply:

In order to sort out the question of what are common construction practices and what is usually included or not with a manufactured home, we first need to get a couple of confusing terms straightened out.

You originally posted question about double-wide mobile home construction in our article on modular construction

See MODULAR HOME CONSTRUCTION) .

In a separate article we define modulars, factory built homes, comparing them with caravans, trailers, mobile homes, doublewides:

see DEFINITIONS of Mobile Home, Doublewide, Modular, Panelized Construction, where we give details about the differences in these types of construction.

Double-wides and mobile homes are not built using the same structural materials, codes, standards as modular homes. Details about double-wide homes and mobile homes are discussed separately beginning in the article starting at the top of this page:

See MOBILE HOMES, DOUBLEWIDES, TRAILERS.

So What' the Difference Between a Manufactured Home, Mobile Home, & do the same building codes apply?

Yes and no: some codes contain provisions for manufactured or mobile homes, while in other cases and locations those structures are governed by specific building codes.

A modular home is built using conventional 2x4 or 2x6 wood framing much like a stick built house, but it is constructed in several sections that are then trailered to a building site, set upon a conventional building foundation or slab, and fastened together there.

The floor of each section is built strong enough to be placed on a temporary trailer for transport to the building site where the trailer chassis is removed prior to assembly of each section.

Building codes and standards for modulars are essentially the same as for a stick-built residential home. Even when the modular home is built in a different state from which it is to be assembled, the home must comply with state building codes.

Also see MOBILE HOME ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

What building codes regulate mobile homes & doublewide homes?

A double-wide or mobile home or trailer (also called house trailers or "static caravans") is typically built to different building standards than a conventional stick-built house or modular built house. These homes are completely assembled in a factory and trailered to a site where they are parked.

The structure includes a permanently-attached trailer chassis, axle, wheels, trailer hitch that are used to deliver the home and can (in concept) be used to move it later.

Unlike modular homes whose constructions are regulated by state and local building codes, mobile homes, double-wides and trailers, are regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), via the Federal National Mfd. Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974.

This national regulation has allowed many manufacturers to distribute nationwide because they are immune to the jurisdiction of local building authorities. There are, however, wind zones adopted by HUD that home builders must follow.

Depending on where a mobile home is located, these wind zone regulations can require special anchoring or tie downs to reduce the chances of the home being overturned in a storm.

Based on the description in your posted comment/question and your email, you are describing a double-wide mobile home.

Reader comment: NHFireBear offers manufactured homes regulation citations for the U.S. & for individual states

More about relevant mobile home codes, as we expand our local inspection policies:

Where not preempted by the federal code (i.e., things outside of the manufactured home or in mobile homes manufactured prior o 1976), you might want to consult the NFPA 501 Standard on Manufactured Housing, 2013 edition, and NFPA 501A, Standard for Fire Safety Criteria for Manufactured Home Installations, Sites, and Communities, 2013 edition, are both referenced in NFPA 1 (2015). Of course, not all jurisdictions use NFPA 1, preferring International Fire Code or their own home brew of codes.

Furthermore, for those enacting NFPA 1: "New manufactured housing shall comply with Section 20.11 and NFPA 501, Standard on Manufactured Housing." NFPA 1 (2015) National Fire Code, section 20.11.5: Occupancy Fire Safety; One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Housing.

"Manufactured Home Sites. The fire safety requirements for the installation of manufactured homes and manufactured home sites, including accessory buildings, structures, and communities,
shall comply with NFPA 501A, Standard for Fire Safety Criteria for Manufactured Home Installations, Sites, and Communities." Ibid., 27.2.

Where the code says "shall comply" it means everyone has to do it, unless they get a proper waiver from the fire marshal, i.e., show that their alternative provides adequate or equivalent safety as would an installation in strict compliance with the code.

FWIW, NFPA 501 has its own labeling requirement showing certification of compliance with NFPA 501 on a permanent plate mounted on the taillight end of each transportable (mobile) unit, located one foot up from the bottom and one foot in from the "road" side. - NHFireBear is a fire inspector and a frequent contributor to InspectApedia.com - Ed.

This article references "Codes and Standards Act" for manufactured homes at 24 CFR Parts 0-199, 5/1/2001.

This manufactured-home standard contains 10 subparts (listed below) pertaining to General (data plate and certification contents and locations), Plans (dimensions, exits, etc), Fire Safety, Body and Frame, Testing, Thermal Protection, Heating/Cooling and venting systems, Electrical, and Transportation (axles, springs, drawbar).

It's about 90 pages of regulations. Part 3282 discusses pre-emption of state laws, among other things, and requires a new unit to be delivered with a "consumer manual" containing required information about the unit. NH FireBear

Safety Standards for Manufactured or Mobile Homes

The actual Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards begin in

There (on start on p. 107 or use your PDF reader to search for "3280") you will find

Reply:

Thank you once again NHFireBear. For the convenience of readers I have excerpted the portions of the HUD document pertaining to manufactured housing and have included a live link to the document in the article above.

(Apr 9, 2015) NHFireBear said:

You guys are AWESOME! Thanks for cheerfully accepting my suggestions! I know many readers couldn't care less where the rules came from, but others may be curious about the source materials. I came across these materials while trying to help an owner dealing with an inspection triggered by a "housing assistance" application by a renter.

... the article [above] does mention "local building codes" (pertaining to MODULAR home, for some reason not relevant to this article), but leaves questions about what other codes may apply, under a section on questions, such as "what Florida codes apply to manufactured home steps" and "What building codes regulate mobile homes & doublewide homes?"

However, it has recently come to my attention the the ICC's International Residential Code (IRC), which is adopted as part of the building code in many states, includes a specific appendix (E) for "Manufactured Homes Used as Dwellings".

The IRC lays out LOCAL CODE applicability to permits and inspections for "Construction, alteration and repair of any foundation system... building services equipment which is necessary for connecting manufactured homes to water, fuel or power supplies and sewage systems, as well as alterations, additions or repairs to existing manufactured homes..."

It also mentions that any "auxiliary structures" associated with a mobile/mfd home installation are covered by "applicable local codes", and not preempted by the federal code on the construction of the dwelling itself.

In other words, the state/county/municipality may have their own codes (e.g., the IRC or local equivalents), which do apply to everything OUTSIDE of the manufactured home (which is pre-empted by federal code), as well as installation and any later modifications.

Similarly, it is quite possible that state/local FIRE CODES (including life-safety codes) will apply to inherently unsafe installations, such as pre-1976 mobile homes that lack adequate escape windows or smoke detectors, among other things, especially under any specific programs requiring fire inspections/compliance.

- by private email from NHFirebear 2016/08/01

Mobile Home Safety Codes, Defects, Standards

Layers of Roofing Permitted on Mobile Homes or Manufactured Homes

While 2 or even 3 layers of asphalt shingles may be permitted on conventional site-built or "stick built" (and probably modular) homes, manufactured homes - assuming we're using the euphemism for mobile home, doublewide, trailer - may be permitted only one layer of shingles at a time on the roof.

Where does this one-layer of shingles on mobile home roofs originate?

Where this one-layer rule is true and appropriate is probably on older mobile / manufactured homes or even new ones if the home was not framed using framing members of the same dimension and strength as a conventional stick built or modular home (typically 2x6, 2x8 or larger rafter or truss roofs of sufficient strength to carry the weight that can, spread over the roof surface, be a ton or more).

For conventional-framed homes regulated by model codes like the IRC figure that two layers is commonly permitted and in some jurisdictions up to 3 layers of asphalt shingle roofing on those structures.

Most experts we consulted and several insurance companies all insist that only one layer of asphalt roof shingles is permitted on manufactured homes, mobile homes, doublewides, trailers, presuming that those structures were built with original framing not intended for the added weight of additional layers of asphalt shingle roofing that can weigh about 100 lbs / square or an additional ton or more of dead load on the structure.

It's interesting that some HUD and FHA documents imply that up to 3 layers of roofing may be permitted, while not always making clear just which building types are being discussed:

These references, not focused on manufactured housing but published by U.S. agencies HUD & FHA, are perhaps a source of the roof layer confusion we've come across, as those documents refer to HUD appraisals and not specifically to manufactured homes

Other Useful Codes References & Standards for Manufactured Homes & Mobile Homes

Individual Manufactured or Mobile Home Installation & Owners Manuals

We welcome contributions to this list: if you can contribute a free PDF or hard copy mobile home installation manual for use by others use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to contact us by email.

At InspectAPedia we have no business nor financial connection with any manufacturer or service provider discussed at our website. Independently-placed advertisements & bookstore sales help support the website.

 

Full Text of Building Codes 2006, 2012

The ICC has free, limited, live, online access to some of the latest codes, but I couldn't find the free link for IRC immediately.

Moderator reply:

Thanks NH Firebear,

It's a serious problem that shows up at InspectApedia as some reader questions about code compliance, particularly because there is a high correlation between people who place mobile homes on sites AND people who put up modulars and real ignorance of good construction practices, codes, and standards.

Factory built housing is particularly appealing to that class of builders who are not really builders but rather desk-men (and women) who order homes and get them put-up.

Often, perhaps usually, because the builder is relying on the assured-code-compliance of the principal structure, and because they are not themselves educated builders but more they are financial people and order-takers or promoters, there is nobody on-site making sure that other site work and features are correct and safe.

I have seen in modular construction foundation catastrophes, incoming electrical fiascos, incoming water and outgoing sewage snafus, house-to-foundation shape mis-match, and even a house roll-over and another foundation collapse.

Even when the factory insists on sending their own trained site crew to install a home the surrounding work may be incompetent.

Similarly in mobile home set-up, complete failure to install proper support, piers, tie-downs. Mobile homes are in some situations more egregious as the buyers tend to be lower-income with less resources to make things right or even to check that the siting and site infrastructure are safe.

SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY has an example with my friend Steve Vermilye showing a collapsing DIY concrete block access to an open septic tank at a large mobile home facility for farm workers at a famous and expensive NY Pate production facility that we inspected for the farm workers union and for lawyers.

This was just one of many dangerous situations. Electrical was similar.

...


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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2023-12-15 by InspectApedia Publisher - mobile home support piers ("underpinnings")

@Charles,

I think you're asking about mobile home support piers ("underpinnings") or perhaps mobile home tie-downs that secure the home against blowing over in a storm.

We give that information at

MOBILE HOME PIERS
MOBILE HOME PIER INSPECTION
and
MOBILE HOME STABILIZING SYSTEMS

Please find the live links to those pages at the Recommended Articles list on this page.

And thanks for the question; don't hesitate to ask follow-up questions as you need.

Dan

On 2023-12-15 by Charles

What is the codes on under penind

On 2023-07-09 by InspectApedia Publisher - wanting to add a stick built addition to our manufactured home

@Larissa,

I don't think you'll find a HUD code that specifically addresses building additions on to a manufactured home.

But of course you will require a building permit and your addition will have to comply with local and current building codes.

On 2023-07-09 by Larissa

We are wanting to add a stick built addition to our manufactured home and are looking for any specific building codes and regulations from HUD related to this.

On 2023-06-29 by InspectApedia Publisher

@Reginald Byarse,

It's a perfectly-reasonable question but really you wouldn't want to rely on an existing septic tank, drainfield, or well without having those inspected and tested for safe, sanitary use.

On 2023-06-28 by Reginald Byarse

I in the process of purchasing some land that previous owner had a trailer, septic tank that’s still there and a well. Can I put my 2021 ClassA on the land and hook up to the utilitys and have a power poll put on the land

On 2023-05-30 by InspectApedia Publisher - information sheet/blue print for my 1978 Sahara Double wide mobile home

@Jose Caraballo,

I'm not sure that you can, as that's a pretty old home, and I was unable to locate any modern "Baltimore Mobile Home Company" of that name.

Adding to the difficulty of research, the Sahara name is popular among home builders including of modular homes - where Sahara house plans abound - but those are NOT what you need.

There were at least 2 Sahara mobile home/doublewide producers

Sahara - from Home Systems mobile home company - no contact found

Sahara - from Kaufman & Broad mobile home company - Web: kbhome.com/kaufman-and-broad-x70157 Contact us at (888) KB-HOMES

So you could try finding those producers or their successors to see if they have plans for your home still on file.

We did find some Sahara doublewide homes still for sale, such as the one whose floor plan we show below.

I would not assume that 1 1978 home you find today is a perfect match for its original plans as it may well have been modified over its long life.

For ROOF loading - U.S. building codes specify a uniform live load of 20 pounds per square foot (psf) for a typical roof load. Keep in mind that in heavy snow country the required live load numbers will be greater.

For FLOOR loading - U.S. building codes specify a uniform live load of 40 pounds per square foot (psf) for most residential floor designs.

Sahara doublewide floor plan (C) InspectApedia.com

On 2023-05-28 by Jose Caraballo

How much weight psf can my 1978 mobile home support?, it has 37 2x2 trusses, Over a 52' length and the run is 12' with a 2/12 pitch

Where can I aquire an all inclusive information sheet/blue print for my 1978 Sahara Double wide mobile home bult by Boltimore Mobile home

On 2023-04-21 by InspectApedia Publisher

@Latoya Rimple,

No, not the way you put it, but that question is raised a bit too broadly to be clear.

Perhaps you could be more specific about exactly what you or someone wants to do in adding a door, where on the structure, and to what kind of structure.

On 2023-04-21 by Latoya Rimple

Is there a hud code that says you cannot cut any new doors into the structure?

On 2022-12-16 by InspectApedia (Editor) - most HUD regulations have to do with assuring health and safety

@Robert McBrayer,

I understand how frustrating that can be. Most likely changes in those regulations have to do with assuring health and safety.

Any specifics?

On 2022-12-16 by Robert McBrayer

If I put my home on my land by HUD and manufacturer standards then the local government comes tells me that they supercede these standards and they tell you that you have to do thousand's of dollar's of stuff to do or they want let you have water

On 2022-12-05 by Sandi - size limit for putting a shed in my mobile home park lot

How big a Tough Shed can I put in Ramon Mobile Home Park, Palm Springs, Ca.

On 2022-12-06 by InspectApedia (Editor) - do I need a building permit for an on-site storage shed whose footprint is less than 10 ft

@Sandi,

I'm not sure we can answer this question in a way that would be correct for all situations, but in most jurisdictions you don't need a building permit for an on-site storage shed whose footprint is less than 10 ft.

Remember that you may face other constraints such as property line setbacks. So before spending any money on this topic you should check with your local Building Department.

On 2022-11-27 by Regina Migliore - new roof leaks & is missing flashing

I had my 1985 manufactured home completely re roofed in 2017 in Hemet, California. I now find out that there was no drip edge or any new flashing of any kind installed. Isn't this building code? How did it pass inspection?

I now have leaks from water getting under the fascia board, even with gutters. The lip edge on the overhang is appx. 1/4 " so drip edges were definitely needed.

Having the company come out Nov. 30, but I want to make sure that they don't try to scam me, again, about codes. They have done this to 2 of my neighbors, so we made need a class action lawsuit.

On 2022-11-27 by InspectApedia (Editor) - does building code require flashing or drip edge?

@Regina Migliore,

This isn't a question that should be resolved by referring to it as a building code issue. If you're having leaks from water flowing off the roof Edge and behind the fascia then you need drip edge installed. Space the drip edge a quarter of an inch out from the fascia to be sure that water falls into the gutter.

On 2022-11-18 by Kelly - trailer owner vs park owner: who provides the electrical service?

We recently bought a trailer in a trailer park to find out the breaker box wasn't in the trailer and the wires from the breaker box to the electrical supply wasn't ran! Who is responsible for getting the electric on us or the trailer park?

Is it the power companys responsibility to run the wire from the breaker box to the electric pole!? Need help with this as my father is a veteran and is living there with no electricity and it's getting cold out and he needs heat!

The trailer is in Newburgh Indiana didn't kno if where it was would make a difference in what has/needs to be done to get the electric on

On 2022-11-21 by InspectApedia (Editor) - Who is responsible for getting the electric on - us or the trailer park?

@Kelly,

Usually the building or trailer home owner is responsible for all wiring from the power drop or meter onwards to and in the home.

On 2022-10-29 by Lori A Beeman - damage under mobile home due to improper dryer venting

I just discovered that my 1975 mobile home has the dryer vented beneath the home. Can I recoup any damages and cost to vent dryer properly from the seller and/or the inspector?

On 2022-10-29 by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@Lori A Beeman,

Suing for damages - there's a question to take to your attorney. However, before even doing that and perhaps incurring legal bills, you might want to get an independent report of just what the damages are and what will be the cost to cure.

On 2022-10-30 by Lori A Beeman

@InspctApedia-911,

Thank you for your reply. I discovered I have mold under the mobile home per inspection by certified mold specialist. She could not definitely say that the mold was caused by the dryer venting location.

However, I do have mold on the flooring directly behind where the dryer is vented. The inspector said this flooring should be replaced.

On 2022-10-30 by InspectApedia (mod)

@Lori A Beeman,

Thank you for that update. I would add that if the insulation, for example insulation located under the floor of the home, is or was exposed to water, leaks, or mold then that too should be replaced.

If you're going to undertake repairs make sure that you identify and perform all of the work required as that will be less trouble and less expense than having to do it over again multiple times.

Be sure to photo document the dryer problem if you think that's likely to have been the cause of mold problems. Furthermore when you begin the repair and molding materials are removed that damage and a pointer to its cause may be more obvious and may also need to be photographed.

On 2022-09-19 by Ken - city requires expert certification of mobile home piers in flood zone

I installed a manufactured home on a lot in Lago Vista TX and after installing it Ithe city is asking for approval of the piers because they fall in the 100 year flood plane. The is ditch in the back that has never flooded but it could I suppose.

I hired an engineering firm who came out and approved the installation but did not mention the flood plane in their report. When I asked them about why not they said they do not know anything about the flood plane.

I am starting over trying to find and engineer who can verify if we are good and to write a report says g so. Does anyone know what direction I should go? Ken

On 2022-09-19 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - city is asking for approval of the piers because they are in the 100 year flood plane

@Ken,

For sure you want a geotechnical engineer or other local expert who is competent and qualified to certify, in writing, whether or not the new home is in the flood plain.

If it is, then the engineer might have bad news that taller piers or additional tie-downs may be required.

I'd expect your city building department to accept the opinion of a licensed design professional.

Keep me posted.

On 2022-09-01 by Amy - can we support a manufactured home on cinder blocks?

Is it true we can use cynder blocks to suppost a manufacture home? What is the distance have to be ? 12feet apart?

On 2022-09-01 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - concrete block spacing requirements depend on the home's size and design

@Amy,

We no longer use masonry blocks actually made out of cinders or ash, but the phrase "cinder blocks" is often used by normal people to refer to what masons and builders properly call "concrete blocks"

Concrete blocks can be use to support a manufactured home - the spacing requirements depend on the home's size and design. And the stack of blocks - called a pier - may need reinforcement and must rest on a proper footing.

See details at MOBILE HOME PIERS

and don't hesitate to as follow-up questions as you wish.



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