New Laws Concerning California Mobile Homes

California Manufactured Homes are a great low cost alternative to traditional housing. While many aspects of manufactured homes and mobile homes are similar to traditional "stick built" homes, there are still many differences between these different types of housing, both physically and legally. Starting January 1, 2009, the following new laws went into effect specifically for mobile homes and manufactured homes.

The new Regulation SB 1234 concerning mobile home privacy in California became effective January 1, 2009. From Senate Bill No. 1234 "This law prohibits the owners or management of a mobile home park from entering an enclosed accessory structure to a mobile home without the prior written consent of the resident, except in case of emergency or when the resident has abandoned the mobile home or accessory structure. "

Amended Civil Code Section 798.26, Regulation AB 2050, concerning Mobile Home Smoke Detectors & Water Heater Bracing in Mobile homes, also became effective January 1, 2009.

"Smoke Detectors: This law requires all used manufactured homes, used mobile homes, and used multifamily manufactured homes that are sold to have a smoke alarm installed in each room designed for sleeping that is operable on the date of transfer of title. The seller must sign a declaration regarding the presence of working smoke alarms in these specified homes within 45 days prior to the transfer of title. The law also shields real estate licensees from liability for errors, inaccuracies, or omissions relating to the disclosures required to be made by a transferor pursuant to this bill."

"Water Heater Strapping: The law also requires all fuel-gas-burning water heater appliances installed in new manufactured homes or new multifamily manufactured homes be seismically braced, anchored, or strapped and such work be completed before or at the time of installation of the homes. In addition, any replacement fuel-gas-burning water heater appliances in existing mobile homes, existing manufactured homes, or existing multifamily manufactured homes that are offered for sale, rent, or lease are required to be seismically braced, anchored, or strapped.

All used mobile homes, used manufactured homes, and used multifamily manufactured homes in California that are sold must, on or before the date of transfer of title, have the fuel-gas-burning water heater appliance or appliances seismically braced, anchored, or strapped. This requirement is satisfied if, within 45 days prior to the transfer of title, the transferor signs a declaration stating that each water heater appliance in the used mobile home, used manufactured home, or used multifamily manufactured home is secured pursuant to this section on the date the declaration is signed.

The Department of Housing and Community Development is to promulgate on or before July 1, 2009 rules and regulations that include standards for water heater seismic bracing, anchoring, or strapping. (Note: Section 3.5 in AB 2050 is not in effect.)

More changes were made to the Health and Safety Code Section 18031.7 and Section 18029.6.

Regulation SB 1107 concerning Accommodations for Disabled Persons also became effective January 1, 2009. "This law requires mobile home park management to allow an owner or resident to install accommodations for the disabled on their mobile home or the site, lot, or space on which their mobile home is located, as specified. It authorizes the management to require that the accommodations installed be removed by the current homeowner at the time the mobile home is removed from the park or pursuant to a written agreement prior to the completion of the resale of the mobile home, as specified. The law also permits a mobile home owner to share the home with a live-in caregiver who provides care pursuant to a written treatment plan without being charged a fee for that person by the park management."

To read more on these new California Manufactured Home regulations, visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov. Keeping up with these regulations is very important, as a mobile home owner.

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