Although the Florida Building Code (FBC) has specific requirements for manufactured buildings, it excludes mobile homes from that category, and the manufacture of mobile homes is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A HUD-approved inspection agency provides inspection at the factory, and the local building inspector has no say over the details of how a mobile home was manufactured as long as the home is rated for the wind zone where it will be located.

     HUD does have requirements for the correct installation of a mobile home, and Florida determined that installation standards that exceeded HUD guidelines were necessary for safe occupancy of a manufactured home in our hurricane-prone state. So Chapters 15C-1 and 15C-2 of the Florida Administrative Code were created in 1999. The regulations are enforced by the Manufactured Housing Section of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. To read more about it, see our blog post Why does Florida have mobile/manufactured home installation standards that exceed HUD requirements?

    The following components are the ones that are not exempt from the Florida Building Code:

•• Plumbing hookup.

•• Electrical hookup.

•• Mechanical (HVAC) hookup.

•• Foundations and blocking under home.

•• Modifications to door or window openings - must be re-certified by HUD or approved by a professional engineer licensed in Florida.

•• Modifications or damage to the interior or exterior walls, roof, or structure - must be re-certified by HUD or approved by professioanal engineer licensed in Florida.

•• Roof-over structures - must be designed by professional engineer licensed in Florida to meet wind load rating for area where located.

•• Any additions around outside walls - such as carport, screen room, sheds,  or additional living space.

    Other states have similar, but not necessarily identical, local code requirements for mobile homes. It’s also important to note that a mobile home is required to have two exterior exit doors, and any addition must retain them. See our blog post How many exit doors are required for a mobile/manufactured home? for more on this. 

    Also, go to our HUD-CODE FOR MOBILE HOMES page for a listing of our other HUD-code articles.

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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?

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Want to learn more about inspecting
manufactured/mobile homes? 
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• 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 does the HUD tag look like and where do I find it on a mobile home? 

• Can you put a zone 1 mobile home 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.