Wind zone designations were created for mobile homes by HUD in 1976 to specify two design categories of wind resistance: one for homes that are inland and not likely to get hurricane-force winds (Zone 1), and another for Florida and coastal areas of other states that are prone to hurricances (Zone 2). The Zone 2 homes are designed to withstand 100 mph winds.

    After the total destruction of so many mobile homes in South Florida during Hurricane Andrew in 1992, HUD decided in 1994 to create a Zone 3 for areas in Florida and other states—but primarily South Florida—that are subject to more severe hurricane winds. Zone 3 is rated for 110 mph winds.

    There was also an additional special category created in 1994 for homes within 1500 feet of the coastline in Zones 2 and 3, called a “D-sticker” or “Exposure D.” It is essentially a Wind Zone III home on steroids, strengthened to meet the wind resistance requirement of ASCE 7-88,  Exposure D, which is a standard referenced in the HUD Code. 

Why The Wind Zone Is Important

   The wind zone rating is significant because you cannot move a home into a wind zone area that is higher than its rating, except for a limited “hardship” exemption which you can learn about at our article Can you move a Wind Zone 2 mobile home to Zone 3 in Florida?

To learn more about wind zones, see our blog post Where are Wind Zone 2 and Wind Zone 3 for mobile homes located?. Also, to find out how to locate the data plate for a manufactured home, which is where the wind zone it was designed for is listed, read our blog post How do I find out how old a mobile home is and who manufactured it?

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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?

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

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Want to learn more about inspecting
manufactured/mobile homes? 
Get our  Handbook for 
Manufactured Home Inspectors 
at amazon.com for $19.95

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• 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? 

• 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.