Laws and Regulations

California law governing manufactured housing is entitled the "Manufactured Housing Act of 1980" and may be found in Division 13, Part 2, of the California Health and Safety Code, commencing with Section 18000.

Federal laws governing manufactured housing built on or after June 15, 1976, are found in Title 42, U.S. Code, Chapter 70, beginning Section 5401.

Manufactured Housing Regulations

The Manufactured Housing regulations can be found in California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Division I, Chapter 3, Subchapter 2, commencing with section 4000. These regulations establish minimum design and construction standards for all multifamily manufactured homes and mobilehomes built before June 15, 1976, and commercial modular and special purpose commercial modulars to be sold, rented, or leased throughout the State. These regulations are preemptive over any local requirements. Manufactured homes constructed on or after June 15, 1967, are subject to federal laws and regulations. Alteration of existing manufactured homes bearing or required to bear a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) label; multifamily manufactured homes, and mobilehomes built on or before June 15, 1976; commercial modulars and special purpose commercial modulars bearing or required to bear a Department insignia are subject exclusively to Department regulation, plan review, and inspection throughout the State regardless of their location.

Federal regulations governing manufactured housing built on or after June 15, 1976, are located in Title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, beginning with Section 3282.1. Construction standards for manufactured homes manufactured on or after June 15, 1976, are found in Title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter XX, Part 3280 .

Manufactured Housing Program Regulations — Fee Realignment

Federal Legal Authorities and Clarification

When federal rules (regulations) are in need of clarification, HUD issues interpretive Bulletins or B-Letters to clarify the requirements. For additional information on federal legal authorities, go to HUD’s Construction and Safety Program information.

Factory-Built Housing Laws

Factory-built housing regulated units are specifically defined in the Health and Safety Code and describe the Factory-Built Housing Program elements as follows: California law governing the Factory-Built Housing Program is found in the Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 6, Sections 19960 to 19997. The statutory definition of factory-built housing is located in Section 19971 and the definition of a building component is in Section 19967.

Factory-Built Housing Regulations

HCD's regulations adopted to interpret, clarify, or otherwise carry out Factory-Built Housing law are contained in the California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 3, Subchapter 1, commencing with Section 3000.