Manufactured Housing Definition

Terms like”manufactured housing,””modular homes” and”mobile homes” are frequently used interchangeably. Yet factory-built housing has developed over time, and national and state codes also have effected change in the way houses are designed and constructed. While different kinds of factory-built housing exist, houses characterized as manufactured homes must be assembled under specific conditions following federal guidelines.

General Definition

Homes built in a controlled factory environment which adhere to national construction codes are referred to as manufactured homes. After construction, these single-family structures are transferred to the home site and set up. The level of meeting to be completed on the home site depends upon the manufacturer, but manufactured houses are typically delivered as sections or panels.

Federal Code

Homes classified as manufactured homes must meet specifications outlined by HUD, or the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The HUD Code was set into place in 1976. Homes built in California factories before 1976 were known as”mobile homes,” and also their construction was regulated by the nation.

Standards

Several recognized criteria help modulate the design of manufactured housing, as well as its construction, fire resistance, qualityand durability and energy efficiency. In addition, systems like plumbing, electric, heating and air conditioning are all governed by the HUD Code, that’s the only building code determined by the national government. Any additions to a manufactured home has to adhere to construction codes set forth by the state and local governments, as they’re finished on site.

Differences in Factory-Built Housing

Manufactured housing differs from other kinds of factory-built housing, as outlined by California legislation. Manufactured homes, as defined by the HUD Code, and modular houses are two kinds of factory-built housing. But, modular houses fall under another category, as defined by the California Administrative Code. An approximate 3 percent of factory-built houses in the state adhere to the code, according to the California Manufactured Housing Institute.

Manufactured Homes in California

The California Manufactured Housing Institute notes an estimated 97 percent of factory-built houses in California are deemed manufactured houses, as they comply with the national HUD Code, which is also referred to as the federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards.

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