The HUD minimum size requirement for a manufactured-mobile home access panel is 18-inches wide by 24-inches high and not less than 3 square feet in total area [24CFR3285.505(e)]. The access panel(s) must be located so that any water supply or sewer drain connections are accessible. Because installation details are also under the jurisdiction of the local building department, you should check for any additional requirements they may have. An example of a typical local code requirement would be that the access panel must be openable without any special tools.

    Beyond the code requirements, a well-located access panel should have a clear area behind it to be able to move further under the home—not blocked by HVAC ducts, piping, or tie-downs directly behind the opening. Many mobile homes have skirting panels that can be removed at any location around the perimeter of the home. Go to our article Is it safe to go under a mobile home? for more on that. 

    Also see What does a home inspector look for when examining a mobile home crawl space? and What is the minimum height of the crawl space under a mobile home? and Is it normal for a mobile home crawl space to be damp in Florida? 

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Here’s links to some of our other 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? 

• 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.