Mobile home storm rules in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania addresses storm and disaster safety mainly through anchoring and construction standards and through strong protections if a community closes. The information below describes how the law generally works; anyone dealing with a specific situation should consider consulting a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania.

What the statute says

Section 5 of the Manufactured Home Community Rights Act lets a community "designate the type of material or manner of installation for underskirting, awnings, porches, fences or other additions ... and tie-down equipment compliant with all applicable requirements of the ... Manufactured Housing Improvement Act, and the ... Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, in order to insure the safety and good appearance of the manufactured home community, but under no circumstances may a resident be required to purchase such equipment from a supplier designated by the community owner or operator." The home's own construction and anchoring follow the federal HUD code (24 C.F.R. Part 3280).

If a disaster or other cause leads to closure, Section 11.2 protects residents: at least 180 days' notice to vacate, a duty to "consider any offer to purchase the community made by a resident association representing at least 25%" of spaces and "negotiate in good faith," relocation expenses "not to exceed the amount of $4,000 for a single section manufactured home and $6,000 for a multisection manufactured home" (CPI-adjusted), and "a minimum of $2,500 or the appraised value, whichever is greater," if the resident "is unable or unwilling to find a reasonably suitable replacement site."

How it works in general

For storm resilience, Pennsylvania leans on anchoring and construction. A community can require appropriate underskirting and tie-down equipment that meets the state's manufactured-housing and construction codes — important for wind resistance — but it can't force a resident to buy that equipment from a particular vendor. The home itself is built and anchored to the federal HUD code's standards. Pennsylvania doesn't require a community to provide a storm shelter, so disaster preparation and assistance run through county and state emergency management and the federal disaster programs. If a storm or other event forces a community to close, residents get at least 180 days' notice, a chance to buy the community, and relocation payments of up to $4,000 or $6,000 (or a $2,500/appraised-value floor).

Common scenarios

General examples Pennsylvania park residents commonly encounter:

• A community sets a tie-down or skirting standard. It may require code-compliant equipment but can't force purchase from its own supplier (§5).
• A disaster forces the community to close. Residents get 180 days' notice and relocation payments of up to $4,000/$6,000 (§11.2).
• Questions arise about how a home is anchored. The federal HUD code and the state construction and manufactured-housing acts govern (24 C.F.R. Part 3280; §5).

Other authorities that may apply

The Manufactured Home Community Rights Act (§§5, 11.2) governs tie-down standards and closure protections; the federal HUD code and the Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Improvement Act and Construction Code Act govern construction and installation. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and FEMA administer disaster assistance, and a homeowner's insurance policy — not statute — usually governs storm-damage claims.