What safety standards apply to manufactured homes in Delaware?

Federal HUD construction and safety standards (the HUD Code, 42 U.S.C. §5401 et seq.) govern how manufactured homes are designed and built, including wind-zone standards. Delaware's DEMHRA enforces state installation and setup requirements. This is general information, not advice about a specific situation.

What must a Delaware community owner maintain to protect residents?

Under 25 Del. C. §7008, a community owner must maintain the community to protect the health and safety of residents, keep common areas free of noxious plants, repair utility infrastructure within 48 hours of written notification, maintain roads in good condition, and comply with federal, state, and local building codes.

Does a Delaware park have obligations if a tree becomes hazardous?

Section 7008 requires the landlord to maintain trees 25 feet or taller, or 6 or more inches in diameter, per standard horticultural practices. A hazardous tree on community property would generally fall within the landlord's maintenance responsibility.

Mobile home storm and safety standards in Delaware

Q: What happens if storm damage leaves a Delaware community without safe water or sewer service?

Section 7020A requires the landlord to correct a water, sewer, gas, or electric failure within 10 days. If water is unsafe, the landlord must supply potable or bottled water or alternative housing within 48 hours. Prolonged failures trigger notification, bonding, and reporting requirements.

Manufactured home safety in storms and emergencies in Delaware is shaped by federal construction standards, state installation oversight by the Delaware Manufactured Home Relocation Authority (DEMHRA), and the community owner's ongoing maintenance obligations under 25 Del. C. Chapter 70. The following is a general overview; for a specific safety, insurance, or damage situation, consulting a licensed attorney in Delaware is advisable.

What the statute says

Section 7008 sets out the community owner's maintenance duties, requiring the landlord to:

Maintain the community "in such a manner as will protect the health and safety of residents"; maintain all water, electrical, plumbing, gas, sewer, septic, and other utilities and services, repairing these utilities within the earlier of 48 hours after written notification; maintain all roads within the community in good condition; comply with all federal, state, and local building codes; and maintain trees 25+ feet tall or 6+ inches in diameter per standard horticultural practices.

Section 7007 requires manufactured homes in the community to meet applicable HUD construction and safety standards. DEMHRA administers Delaware's state installation and setup requirements, consistent with the federal HUD Code.

Section 7020A provides that if water, sewer, gas, or electric service fails or is unsafe, the landlord must fix the problem within 10 days. For unsafe water, the landlord must supply potable or bottled water or provide alternative housing within 48 hours.

How it works in general

Manufactured homes are built to federal HUD wind-zone standards, which classify homes by the wind speeds they are designed to withstand — relevant to hurricane and severe storm risk. Delaware falls within specific HUD wind zones; homes built to those standards are required to meet minimum structural and anchoring requirements at the time of construction.

Community owners bear responsibility for the physical condition of the community itself: roads, common areas, utility infrastructure, and trees. The 48-hour repair standard creates a benchmark for restoring utility service after a storm or failure. The §7020A emergency framework applies when a failure rises to a health or safety level, requiring immediate supply of potable water or alternative housing if the community water supply is compromised.

Common scenarios

General examples Delaware community residents commonly encounter:

A storm damages community roads or common-area infrastructure. Section 7008's requirement to maintain roads in good condition and protect resident health and safety is the applicable standard.
A tree on community property falls on or threatens a home or lot. Section 7008's tree maintenance requirement (25+ feet or 6+ inch diameter trees per horticultural standards) places that responsibility on the community owner.
A storm disrupts community water or sewer service. Written notification to the landlord starts the 48-hour repair clock under §7008; §7020A's emergency framework applies if the failure is a health or safety issue.
A resident questions whether their home's setup meets anchoring standards. DEMHRA administers Delaware's installation and setup requirements, consistent with the federal HUD installation standards.

Other authorities that may apply

The HUD Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (24 C.F.R. Part 3280) establish wind-zone construction requirements for the home itself. HUD's Manufactured Home Installation Standards (24 C.F.R. Part 3285) set the federal installation baseline. DEMHRA administers installation oversight in Delaware. Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) coordinates state disaster response. FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) may apply to homes in flood zones; standard homeowner insurance policies for manufactured homes typically cover windstorm. The community's own emergency procedures and the written rental agreement may also define responsibilities.