Is a permit required to install a manufactured home in California?

Yes. Health and Safety Code §18613 requires that a permit be obtained from the local enforcement agency (or HCD where it acts as the enforcement agency) each time a manufactured home or mobilehome is located, installed, or reinstalled for human habitation.

What installation standards apply to California manufactured homes?

HCD adopts statewide installation regulations, which include requirements for stabilizing devices, load-bearing supports, and utility connections. The department also adopts foundation system standards that apply statewide, superseding local ordinances, under §18551.

Who is responsible for maintaining common-area physical improvements in a California park?

Civil Code §798.15(d) requires that the rental agreement include a provision stating that management is responsible for providing and maintaining physical improvements in the common facilities in good working order. For sudden or unforeseeable breakdowns, management has a reasonable time to repair, but health and safety issues must be addressed 'as soon as possible' and other repairs within 30 days.

Can a homeowner be required to install a permanent foundation in a California park?

No. Health and Safety Code §18551 expressly prohibits local agencies from requiring existing mobilehomes in parks to be placed on foundation systems. This prohibition also applies to conversions of rental parks to resident-owned developments.

Mobile home storm safety and installation in California

Installation safety and storm preparedness for manufactured homes in California is primarily governed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), which administers statewide installation permit and inspection requirements. The Mobilehome Residency Law separately addresses management's duties for common-area physical improvements. The information below is general; for a specific installation issue or dispute, consider consulting a licensed attorney or a licensed contractor in California.

What the statute says

On installation permits, Health and Safety Code §18613 provides:

A permit shall be obtained from the enforcement agency each time a manufactured home or mobilehome is to be located, installed, or reinstalled for human habitation.

The statute requires the installation contractor to obtain the permit and to complete the installation "in accordance with the regulations adopted by the department." HCD's regulations address "stabilizing devices and load-bearing supports, and utility connections."

On foundation systems, §18551 establishes that HCD "shall adopt regulations for manufactured home and mobilehome foundation systems applicable statewide, superseding local ordinances." The section expressly prohibits local agencies from requiring existing mobilehomes in parks to be placed on permanent foundations. A home installed on a foundation on owner-held land "shall be deemed a fixture and a real property improvement" once a certificate of occupancy is issued.

On common-area maintenance, Civil Code §798.15(d) requires the rental agreement to state that management is responsible for maintaining physical improvements in common facilities in good working order, with health and safety breakdowns addressed "as soon as possible" and other issues within 30 days.

How it works in general

Every installation or reinstallation of a manufactured home in California — including when a home is moved from one park to another — requires an HCD (or local enforcement agency) permit and a post-installation inspection. The inspection checks that stabilization hardware, utility connections, and other installation elements meet the state's adopted standards. Homes with health or safety hazards found during inspection cannot be occupied until the defect is corrected.

The HUD Code, the federal construction and safety standard applicable to homes built after June 15, 1976, sets manufacturing standards; California's installation regulations govern what happens after the home leaves the factory.

Common scenarios

General examples California park residents commonly encounter:

A home is moved into a park and residents notice anchoring hardware is not properly installed. The permit and inspection requirement under §18613 is the framework for addressing installation defects.
A park's common-area infrastructure — such as roads, lighting, or drainage — falls into disrepair. Civil Code §798.15(d) addresses management's maintenance obligation for common facilities.
A local government tries to require all park homes to be placed on permanent foundations. Section 18551 prohibits local agencies from imposing that requirement on existing park homes.

Other authorities that may apply

The federal HUD Code sets the minimum construction and safety standards for homes built after June 15, 1976. California's Title 25 regulations (adopted by HCD) contain the detailed installation and park standards. Local emergency management ordinances may impose additional requirements for earthquake or flood preparedness. HCD's Mobilehome and Special Occupancy Parks program oversees compliance at the park level.