Mobile home storm rules in Utah

Utah addresses storm and disaster safety through anchoring and skirting standards, the federal HUD construction code, and strong protections if a park closes. The information below describes how the law generally works; anyone dealing with a specific situation should consider consulting a licensed attorney in Utah.

What the statute says

Section 57-16-7(2) lets a park "specify the type of material used, and the methods used in the installation of, underskirting, awnings, porches, fences, or other additions or alterations to the exterior of a mobile home, and ... the tie-down equipment used in a mobile home space, in order to insure the safety and good appearance of the park; but under no circumstances may it require a resident to purchase such material or equipment from a supplier designated by the mobile home park." The home's own construction and anchoring follow the federal HUD code (24 C.F.R. Part 3280).

If a disaster, sale, or other cause leads to closure, §57-16-18 requires the owner to "send notice ... to each resident ... of any planned change in land use or condemnation of the park ... at least nine months before the day on which the resident is required to vacate," with seven days' notice of any governmental hearing, and bars any rent increase during the notice period (§57-16-18(4)). Local governments "may not enact any ordinance governing the closure of a mobile home park" (§57-16-18(5)).

How it works in general

For storm resilience, Utah relies on anchoring and skirting. A park can require appropriate tie-down equipment and skirting to keep homes safe and the park orderly — which matters for wind and winter weather — 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. Utah doesn't require a park 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 leads the owner to close the park through a change in land use, residents get nine months' notice and can't be hit with a rent increase during the wind-down.

Common scenarios

General examples Utah park residents commonly encounter:

• A park sets a tie-down or skirting standard. It may require code-appropriate equipment but can't force purchase from its own supplier (§57-16-7(2)).
• A change in land use will close the park. Residents get nine months' notice and a rent freeze (§57-16-18).
• Questions arise about how a home is anchored. The federal HUD code governs construction and anchoring (24 C.F.R. Part 3280).

Other authorities that may apply

The Mobile Home Park Residency Act (§§57-16-7, 57-16-18) governs tie-down standards and closure protections; the federal HUD code governs home construction and anchoring. The Utah Division of Emergency Management and FEMA administer disaster assistance, and a homeowner's insurance policy — not statute — usually governs storm-damage claims. A resident may sue for a violation of the Act and recover attorney fees (§57-16-19).