Mobile home storm rules in North Dakota

North Dakota addresses storm and disaster safety through the landlord's habitability duty (including supplying water and heat), advance notice for safety-related rule changes, the federal HUD construction code, and the state's park-licensing system. The information below describes how the law generally works; anyone dealing with a specific situation should consider consulting a licensed attorney in North Dakota.

What the statute says

The landlord's duty is in N.D.C.C. §47-16-13.1: the landlord shall "comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety," "make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition," "keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition," maintain supplied utility facilities, and "supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times and reasonable heat."

For the community, N.D.C.C. §47-10-28(4) requires "advance written notice of any modifications to park rules and regulations addressing sanitation and safety concerns at least thirty days before" they take effect, and §47-10-28(5) requires the same 30-day notice before requiring "the removal of a tongue hitch, or any other modification to the dwelling unit to comply with state or federal housing or financing requirements." The home's wind-zone construction comes from the federal HUD code (24 C.F.R. Part 3280).

How it works in general

For the lot and supplied facilities, North Dakota's habitability duty applies — the landlord must follow health-and-safety codes, keep the premises fit and habitable, keep common areas clean and safe, and supply running water and reasonable heat, which matters most when a storm or hard winter strains park systems. Safety- and sanitation-related rule changes require 30 days' notice, as does a requirement to remove a tongue hitch or make other modifications. For the home itself, its wind-zone construction comes from the federal HUD code, and mobile home parks are licensed and inspected by the Department of Health and Human Services. Disaster assistance is handled through federal and state emergency-management programs.

Common scenarios

General examples North Dakota park residents commonly encounter:

• A hard winter or storm strains the park's water or heat. The landlord must supply running water and reasonable heat and keep the premises habitable (§47-16-13.1).
• A park changes a safety or sanitation rule. Residents get at least 30 days' notice (§47-10-28(4)).
• Questions arise about how a home is built or anchored. The federal HUD code governs construction; the park is licensed under ch. 23-10.

Other authorities that may apply

The general leasing law (§47-16-13.1) sets the habitability and utility-supply duties; the mobile home park statute (§47-10-28) sets notice rules for safety changes. The federal HUD code governs home construction, and the Department of Health and Human Services licenses and inspects mobile home parks (N.D.C.C. ch. 23-10). North Dakota's Department of Emergency Services and FEMA administer disaster assistance, and a homeowner's insurance policy — not statute — usually governs storm-damage claims.