Standards & documents

HUD Code

The Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, in force since June 15, 1976. It sets requirements for design, strength, fire safety, plumbing, heating, electrical and energy performance.

Also called: Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards

The HUD Code is the set of federal construction and safety standards that every manufactured home built since June 15, 1976 must meet. It is enforced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and covers design and strength, fire safety, plumbing, heating, electrical systems, ventilation and energy efficiency.

The code is why 'manufactured home' and 'mobile home' are not quite the same thing. Homes built before the code took effect are mobile homes and were not built to any mandatory national standard. Homes built after are manufactured homes, and each section carries a HUD label proving it.

The code has been updated over time. A major change in 1994 introduced stronger wind-resistance requirements and the three wind zones, which is why insurers often treat homes built before mid-1994 differently from newer ones.

Common questions

Does the HUD Code apply to modular homes?

No. Modular homes are built to the local or state building code, like site-built houses. The HUD Code applies only to manufactured homes.

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