Mobile home storm rules in Virginia

Virginia addresses storm and disaster safety through the landlord's habitability and code-compliance duties, the federal HUD construction code and the state building code, and strong notice and relocation 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 Virginia.

What the statute says

The landlord's duty is in Va. Code §55.1-1303: the landlord shall "comply with applicable laws governing health, zoning, safety, and other matters pertaining to manufactured home parks" (subdivision 1), and "make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the manufactured home park in a fit and habitable condition, including maintaining in a clean and safe condition all facilities and common areas" (subdivision 2). The home's own construction and anchoring follow the federal HUD code (24 C.F.R. Part 3280), and installation follows the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

If a storm or redevelopment leads to closure, §55.1-1308(B) requires a non-waivable "180-day written notice" by certified mail of a change of use, and §55.1-1308.1 requires "$5,000 in relocation expenses" to each home owner when the closure follows a sale to a redeveloper.

How it works in general

For the park grounds and common areas, Virginia's habitability duty applies — the landlord must follow the health, safety, and zoning laws and keep the park fit and habitable, which matters most when a storm strains the park's roads, drainage, and utilities. For the home itself, its construction and anchoring follow the federal HUD code's wind-zone standards, and Virginia's building code governs how it's installed and tied down. Virginia doesn't require a park to provide a storm shelter, so disaster preparation and assistance run through local and state emergency management and the federal disaster programs. If a flood or other event forces a change of use or closure, residents get a non-waivable 180 days' notice and, where the closure follows a redevelopment sale, $5,000 in relocation expenses.

Common scenarios

General examples Virginia park residents commonly encounter:

• A storm strains the park's grounds or common areas. The landlord must keep the park fit and habitable and code-compliant (§55.1-1303).
• Questions arise about how a home is built or anchored. The federal HUD code and Virginia's building code govern construction and installation (24 C.F.R. Part 3280).
• A storm or redevelopment closes the park. Residents get 180 days' notice and, after a redevelopment sale, $5,000 in relocation expenses (§§55.1-1308, 55.1-1308.1).

Other authorities that may apply

The Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act (§§55.1-1303, 55.1-1308, 55.1-1308.1) sets the habitability duty and the closure protections; the federal HUD code and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code govern home construction and installation. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management and FEMA administer disaster assistance, and a homeowner's insurance policy — not statute — usually governs storm-damage claims.