<strong>Thibodaux</strong> <strong>Zoning</strong> <strong>Review</strong> 2010Mobile, Manufactured andModular HomesIn regulating mobile/manufactured or modular homes, caremust be taken not to create undue hardship or exclusionaryzoning practices. Clear definitions should be used as mobile,manufactured and modular are not interchangeable terms inbuilding and zoning codes. Manufactured homes are those builtafter 1974 to a HUD standard and modular homes are built tosite built home standards but are made in a factory. In 2001,the American <strong>Planning</strong> Association issued a policy statementregarding manufactured homes. In that statement, the APApointed out that in 1999 one-third <strong>of</strong> all new single-familyhomes sold were factory built. The report summarizes a thoroughanalysis <strong>of</strong> the issues involved and notes that “…Balance betweenhousing needs and the need for stability <strong>of</strong> existing single-familyneighborhoods is vital to communities…” and that “Manufacturedhousing, if not properly placed and sited, can conflict withestablished neighborhood development patterns.” However, thepolicy statements go on to caution against the exclusion <strong>of</strong> thishousing source as it may also act to exclude young families, firsttime homebuyers, older adults, and others with limited incomes.Nine years later, manufactured homes remain a favored housingchoice due to affordability.Modular homes may be moved to a site on wheels, but unlikemobile homes or manufactured homes modular homes are notbuilt on a chassis. Following are some pictures <strong>of</strong> mobile, manufacturedand modular homes found on various websites.Mobile HomeModular HomeManufactured HomeKatrina Cottage16
2010 <strong>Thibodaux</strong> <strong>Zoning</strong> <strong>Review</strong>From the Manufactured Housing Institute http://www.manufacturedhousing.org/lib/showtemp_detail.asp?id=446&cat=1What exactly is a manufactured home? The answer may surprise you A manufactured home is a single-family house constructedentirely in a controlled factory environment, built to the federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (betterknown as the HUD Code).Factory-Built HomesMany types <strong>of</strong> structures are built in the factory and designed for long-term residential use. In the case <strong>of</strong> manufactured andmodular homes, units are built in a factory, transported to the site and installed. In panelized and pre-cut homes, essentially flatsubassemblies (factory-built panels or factory-cut building materials) are transported to the site and assembled. The different types<strong>of</strong> factory-built housing can be summarized as follows:Manufactured Homes: These are homes built entirely in the factory under a federal building code administered by the U.S.Department <strong>of</strong> Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards(commonly known as the HUD Code) went into effect June 15, 1976. Manufactured homes may be single- or multi-section andare transported to the site and installed. The federal standards regulate manufactured housing design and construction, strengthand durability, transportability, fire resistance, energy efficiency and quality. The HUD Code also sets performance standards forthe heating, plumbing, air conditioning, thermal and electrical systems. It is the only federally-regulated national building code.On-site additions, such as garages, decks and porches, <strong>of</strong>ten add to the attractiveness <strong>of</strong> manufactured homes and must be built tolocal, state or regional building codes.Modular Homes: These factory-built homes are built to the state, local or regional code where the home will be located. Modulesare transported to the site and installed.Panelized Homes: These are factory-built homes in which panels - a whole wall with windows, doors, wiring and outside siding -are transported to the site and assembled. The homes must meet state or local building codes where they are sited.Pre-Cut Homes: This is the name for factory-built housing in which building materials are factory-cut to design specifications,transported to the site and assembled. Pre-cut homes include kit, log and dome homes. These homes must meet local, state orregional building codes.Mobile Homes: This is the term used for manufactured homes produced prior to June 15, 1976, when the HUD Code went intoeffect. By 1970, these homes were built to voluntary industry standards that were eventually enforced by 45 <strong>of</strong> the 48 contiguousstates.From hud.govhttp://www.hud.gov/<strong>of</strong>fices/hsg/ramh/mhs/faq.cfmWhat is a manufactured home?A manufactured home (formerly known as a mobile home) is built to the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards(HUD Code) and displays a red certification label on the exterior <strong>of</strong> each transportable section. Manufactured homes are built inthe controlled environment <strong>of</strong> a manufacturing plant and are transported in one or more sections on a permanent chassis.What is the difference between manufactured and modular homes?Manufactured homes are constructed according to a code administered by the U.S. Department <strong>of</strong> Housing and Urban Development(HUD Code). The HUD Code, unlike conventional building codes, requires manufactured homes to be constructed on apermanent chassis. Modular homes are constructed to the same state, local or regional building codes as site-built homes. Othertypes <strong>of</strong> systems-built homes include panelized wall systems, log homes, structural insulated panels, and insulating concrete forms.17
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