Pier Size and Spacing Determined By Manufacturer’s Manual or Florida Rule 15C-1

Mobile homes can only be set by a licensed installer in Florida. For new homes, the installer must follow the instructions in the manufacturer’s installation manual, except where they are superseded by Rule 15C-1 of the Florida AdminIstrative Code. Used homes are also installed per manufacturer’s manual; however, if it is not available, the installer follows the guidelines and load/spacing tables in Rule 15C-1.

Examples of Rule 15C-1 Overrides

    There are multiple installation requirements in Florida’s Rule 15C-1 that exceed the HUD standards. Here’s a few of them:

•  Wood foundations not allowed.
•  Piers required at each end of centerline of home, even if the manufacturer’s  installation manual does not require them.
•  Steel piers not allowed.
•  Smallest foundation pad allowed is 16” x 16”.
•  Minimum acceptable soil bearing capacity is 1500 psf, which cannot be declared without a pocket penetrometer test.

    All of these foundation pier rules are designed to avoid having a pier failure like the one shown below.

    For a listing of typical foundation and tie-down requirements and defects, see our blog post What are the most common defects in mobile/manufactured home foundation piers? and What are the tie-down requirements for a mobile home? 

Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES:

• Does the building code apply to mobile homes? 

• Where can I file a complaint if I have problems with my new or used manufactured/mobile home in Florida?

• How do I determine the age of a very old mobile home?

• When did a ground cover vapor barrier (plastic sheet) become required under a mobile/manufactured home? 

• Is it safe to go under a mobile home? 

• Are older mobile homes unsafe? 

• What do I need to know about buying a foreclosed mobile home? 

• Does it make sense to buy an older mobile home and remodel it? 

• Where do I find the vehicle identification number (VIN) on a mobile home? 

• How do I find out how old a mobile home is and who manufactured it?

• What is the right price for a used mobile home?

• How energy efficient is a mobile home?

• When were the first double-wide mobile homes manufactured?

• How do I upgrade my old (pre-1976) mobile home to meet HUD standards?

• What size air conditioner is right for my mobile home? 

• Can you move an older mobile home in Florida? 

• What does the HUD tag look like and where do I find it on a mobile home? 

• Can I put a mobile home in my backyard in Florida?

• How can I remove water under my mobile home?

• What's the differences between a trailer, a mobile home, a manufactured home, and a modular home? 

• What is a D-sticker mobile home? 

• What are the tie-down requirements for a mobile home?

• How fireproof is a mobile home?  

• Can I install a mobile home myself?

• What is a Park Model mobile home?  

• Does an addition to a mobile home have to comply with the HUD Code? 

• What walls can I remove in a mobile home?

• What can I do to prevent dampness and mold in my mobile home? 

• How can I tell if a mobile home is well constructed?

• How can I tell the difference between a manufactured home and a modular home?

       Visit our MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES  page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.