Putting a mobile home on land

As of 2020, 22 million people live in manufactured homes. While they can be placed in manufactured home parks, if you are reading this, there is a good chance you are looking to add a beautifully constructed, high-quality home on your private property. 

Luckily, putting a manufactured home on land you already own is a possibility. In fact, 63% of new manufactured homes are set on private property. However, there are various zoning laws and local building regulations that need to be examined before doing so, as it is not legal everywhere.

Zoning Laws & Regulations for Land & Manufactured Homes

In most parts of the country, whether in the suburbs, cities, or rural areas, there are specific land usage laws and regulations that must be followed. 

Restrictive Covenants and HOAs

A restrictive covenant is a set of limitations that prevent certain uses of property, even if that property was purchased and is fully owned by you. They are designed to uphold property value and the vision of the property or community developer, and may include stipulations to ensure visual uniformity and upkeep. 

It is essential to read and understand the obligations and constraints imposed on your land to avoid breaching these local ordinances. Private restrictive covenant guidelines can be found in the deed to your property or at your local Register of Deeds office.

If you are part of a homeowners association (HOA), they will enforce the restrictive covenants and execute the legal consequences should someone decide not to follow the agreed-upon community guidelines.

Some restrictive covenants completely forbid the use of manufactured homes, opting for traditional concrete block dwellings. Others have clauses that require to be informed of the purpose and use of the manufactured home, whether as a residential space or business venture. Some HOAs and communities have restrictive covenants that define whether an architectural review is necessary.

Local Zoning Ordinances

A local zoning ordinance is a law outlining building and land use regulations. City planners designate certain areas to be used for commercial, industrial, or residential purposes, and the subsequent buildings must adhere to these municipal instructions. 

While researching these codes can seem like a daunting and tedious task, it is important to understand what is legally able to be done on your property to avoid spending  time and money on a site not conducive to housing the home of your dreams. 

Manufactured home providers, like our team at Preferred Homes, are very familiar with their local zoning ordinances and happy to help with questions that arise during your home planning process. 

Manufactured Home Laws

In 1976, federal law required manufactured homes to meet HUD code, meaning they must meet certain design, construction, and safety standards. In addition to this federal framework, different states have their own unique housing laws. A few common examples of these include:

• Minimum square footage requirements: Some states do not allow residential-designed manufactured homes (which are placed on a permanent concrete foundation) if they do not meet a certain square footage. Single wide manufactured homes can fall under this category. If this is the case for you, consider a double wide model to increase square footage.

• The use of building permits: Quite often, a permit application for construction and installation is necessary for manufactured homes to be placed on a property. Expect to get permits for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work as well. 

• Requirements for construction materials: Certain siding and roofing materials may be mandatory depending on your state. Even the pitch of the roof can be determined by these location-specific conditions. All buildings from Preferred Homes use site-built standard materials to ensure incredible stability and safety standards that meet the most rigid of requirements. 

You cannot put your home on any lot; however, if you do your due diligence, you should be able to find a dream home that fits the requirements your local area has designated. 

Some lots do not have the capacity for proper waste management, whether they are not near a public sewage system or unable to hold a septic tank. Other parcels of land may not allow for a basement or crawl space to be dug due to the regional condition of the earth. At Preferred Homes, we offer a few different types of building foundations to appease both the needs of varying building codes and physical types of land.  

When it comes to placing more than one manufactured home on an acre, every state and municipality has different requirements, ordinances, and, of course, restrictive covenants. These will often depend on the size of the manufactured or modular home. The average number of manufactured homes per acre is between five and nine, but we highly recommend contacting the appropriate authorities in your area to learn more. 

We are looking forward to answering any questions about what manufactured or modular home suits your lifestyle and property requirements best. Reach out and hear back from one of our helpful sales consultants ASAP, or schedule a tour to check out one of our stunning model homes to see which style you love.

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