12-11-2009, 07:53 AM
"Mobile homes" has two meanings, the first is common meaning for those rectangular things most people consider mobile homes transported by wheels. The other meaning is the legal definition under HUD Code for units manufactured prior to enacting the HUD Code, or not manufactured to HUD Code. Manufactured, modular and mobile are all interchangeable. People use whatever they want for whatever meaning they want. Prefab generally refers under federal regulation to pieces of a whole home and not the whole home. A prefab may be constructed in stages (walls, floors, roof, bath modules, etc) assembled into a finished home. Some times people will mix prefab and modular meanings. Modular generally means transported on a removable chassis or trailer versus having the chassis as part of the framing (like what we think of for mobile homes).
Under Hawaii law, all these types of non-site built homes are called "factory built'. Under Hawaii law, all factory build will need to be inspected just like a regular home. It can be by Hawaii inspectors, or if being built outside Hawaii County, by some authorized inspector. (* Important note. there are many prefab items that have been approved for use. Take SIP's. Inspectors can't see into each to inspect but if they are already approved as a unit, they can be used. I'll let Rob clarify this)
However, if it is a HUD Code structure (call it mobile, manufactured, modular, or whatever) so long as its ID plate certification conforms to HUD requirements for Hawaii, local building codes don't apply. HUD Code is a specific federal regulation that overrides local regulation. This only applies to the physical structure bearing the ID plate, not the foundation it sits on, electrical & plumbing hookup to the structure, any modifications after certification at the factory, or any other site requirements. That’s still under local building codes
Although you may have a HUD Code home, that does not mean its HUD Code approved for Hawaii. You may see three similar looking homes side by side at the factory, but inside the frame may be three completely different types of framing, plumbing, insulation, etc., based on what region it will finally be installed.
This whole thing is confusing to most and it took much researching and talking to people in the industry to finally get my brain wrapped around all the laws, regulations, definitions, etc.
Under Hawaii law, all these types of non-site built homes are called "factory built'. Under Hawaii law, all factory build will need to be inspected just like a regular home. It can be by Hawaii inspectors, or if being built outside Hawaii County, by some authorized inspector. (* Important note. there are many prefab items that have been approved for use. Take SIP's. Inspectors can't see into each to inspect but if they are already approved as a unit, they can be used. I'll let Rob clarify this)
However, if it is a HUD Code structure (call it mobile, manufactured, modular, or whatever) so long as its ID plate certification conforms to HUD requirements for Hawaii, local building codes don't apply. HUD Code is a specific federal regulation that overrides local regulation. This only applies to the physical structure bearing the ID plate, not the foundation it sits on, electrical & plumbing hookup to the structure, any modifications after certification at the factory, or any other site requirements. That’s still under local building codes
Although you may have a HUD Code home, that does not mean its HUD Code approved for Hawaii. You may see three similar looking homes side by side at the factory, but inside the frame may be three completely different types of framing, plumbing, insulation, etc., based on what region it will finally be installed.
This whole thing is confusing to most and it took much researching and talking to people in the industry to finally get my brain wrapped around all the laws, regulations, definitions, etc.