You can’t. Although it might be theoretically possible to retrofit additional reinforcement in a manufactured home structure to meet the standard for resistance to windstorm damage of wind zone 2, or even wind zone 3, the means to get it certified to the higher standard does not exist.

   To understand why, let’s go over what is required for a NEW mobile home to be wind zone 2 certified. The process begins with close coordination between the manufacturer and a Design Approval Agency (DAPIA) that has been authorized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to engineer the home to meet HUD’s specifications. After the design is approved, it goes into production and must be inspected at the factory by a HUD-approved In-Plant Inspection Agency (IPIA), with supervision by a State Administrative Agency (SAA). 

    So—to put all the acronyms together— HUD, the DAIPA, IPA, and SAA must all sign off on the home’s design and construction for it to get zone 2 certification. No administrative procedure exists to get all those approvals for the upgrading of an existing mobile home. 

    Also, see our blog post Can you move a Wind Zone 1 mobile home to Wind Zone 2 or 3 in Florida? 

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

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

• What are the most common defects in mobile/manufactured home foundation piers?

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

• What is a "HUD label verification letter" for a mobile/manufactured 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 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?  

• 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.