Chapter 4 - Standards

California Health and Safety Code — §§ 18025-18034

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Sections (27)

Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 517, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2000.

(a)Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), it is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, rent, or lease within this state, any manufactured home or any mobilehome, commercial coach, or special purpose commercial coach manufactured after September 1, 1958, containing structural, fire safety, plumbing, heat-producing, or electrical systems and equipment unless the systems and equipment meet the requirements of the department for those systems and that equipment and the installation of those systems and that equipment. The

department may adopt rules and regulations that are reasonably consistent with recognized and accepted principles for structural, fire safety, plumbing, heat-producing, and electrical systems and equipment and installations, respectively, to protect the health and safety of the people of this state from dangers inherent in the use of substandard and unsafe structural, fire safety, plumbing, heat-producing, and electrical systems, equipment and installations.

(b)All manufactured homes and mobilehomes manufactured on or after June 15, 1976, shall comply with the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 5401 et seq.).

(c)The sale of used manufactured homes and mobilehomes by an agent licensed pursuant to this part shall be subject to Section 18046.

§ 18025.5

Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 83, Sec. 108. Effective January 1, 2000.

(a)Pursuant to the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 5401 et seq.), the department may assume responsibility for the enforcement of manufactured home and mobilehome construction and safety standards relating to any issue with respect to which a federal standard has been established. The department may adopt regulations to ensure acceptance by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development of California’s plan for the administration and enforcement of federal manufactured home and

mobilehome safety and construction standards.

(b)The department may conduct inspections and investigations that it determines may be necessary to secure enforcement of this part and regulations adopted pursuant to this part.

(c)Subdivision (b) shall not apply to the enforcement of Section 18027.3 unless the department determines that there is a compelling reason to exercise oversight in the inspection of recreational vehicles or park trailers at a factory, in which case the department may investigate the inspection, or conduct a department inspection, on recreational vehicles or park trailers at a factory and utilize any means necessary to collect a fee from the manufacturer for the cost of the department investigation or inspection.

(d)For the purposes of enforcement of this part and the related

regulations, persons duly designated by the director of the department, upon presenting appropriate credentials to the owner, operator, or agent in charge, may do both of the following:

(1)Enter, at reasonable times and without advance notice, any factory, warehouse, sales lot, or establishment in which manufactured homes, mobilehomes, commercial coaches, or special purpose commercial coaches are manufactured, stored, held for sale, sold, or offered for sale, rent, or lease.

(2)Inspect, at reasonable times and within reasonable limits and in a reasonable manner, any factory, warehouse, sales lot, or establishment, and inspect the books, papers, records, and documents to ensure compliance with this part.

§ 18025.6

Added by Stats. 1988, Ch. 1178, Sec. 3.

When a standard for manufactured homes which was adopted pursuant to the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 5401 et seq.), is repealed by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and no new preemptive federal standard is adopted as a replacement standard, the department may continue to enforce the federal standard for manufactured homes to be sold in this state, for a period of one year from the operative date of the repeal or until the department adopts a regulation to replace the repealed federal standard, whichever occurs first. The replacement standard, if any, may be adopted

as an emergency regulation.

§ 18026

Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 293, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1999.

(a)All manufactured homes, mobilehomes, commercial coaches, and special purpose commercial coaches manufactured on or after September 1, 1958, that are sold, offered for sale, rented, or leased within this state shall bear a federal label or an insignia of approval issued by the department, whichever is appropriate, to indicate compliance with the regulations of the department adopted pursuant to this part, which were in effect on the date of manufacture of the manufactured home, mobilehome, commercial coach, or special purpose commercial

coach.

(b)The department may issue insignia for manufactured homes, mobilehomes, commercial coaches, or special purpose commercial coaches manufactured prior to the effective dates of the appropriate regulations that meet the requirements of reasonable standards of health and safety as set forth in this part or the regulations adopted pursuant to this part in effect at the time of that issue.

(c)It is unlawful for any person to remove, or cause to be removed, an insignia of approval affixed pursuant to this section without prior authorization by the department.

§ 18026.1

Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 442, Sec. 3.

Units sold to the federal government for use on federal lands are exempt from the requirements of Sections 18025 and 18026.

§ 18027

Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1076, Sec. 21.

Any manufactured home, mobilehome or commercial coach which is manufactured in violation of the provisions of Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 19870) of Part 3 of Division 13 of this code, or Division 15 (commencing with Section 25004.2) of the Public Resources Code, or regulations adopted pursuant thereto, shall not be issued the department’s insignia of approval.

§ 18027.3

Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 890, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2007.

(a)The Legislature finds and declares as follows:

(1)The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have adopted standards for the design and safety of recreational vehicles, including park trailers, pursuant to procedures that have given diverse views an opportunity to be considered and which indicate that interested and affected parties have reached substantial agreement on their adoption.

(2)The ANSI A119.2 and A119.5 standards and the NFPA 1192 standards are designed to protect the health and safety of persons using recreational vehicles and park trailers.

(3)Compliance with those standards as required by this section may be enforced by any law enforcement authority having appropriate jurisdiction, pursuant to Section 18020.5, which makes it a crime to violate any provision of this part. Therefore, to promote governmental efficiency and economy and to avoid duplication of activities and services, it is appropriate to eliminate the role of the department in modifying and enforcing standards for the construction of recreational vehicles.

(b)Recreational vehicles specified in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 that are manufactured on or after January 1, 1999, and before July 14, 2005, shall be

constructed in accordance with Standard No. A119.2, as contained in the 1996 edition of the Standards of the American National Standards Institute. Recreational vehicles specified in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 that are manufactured on or after July 14, 2005, shall be constructed in accordance with the NFPA 1192 Standard on Recreational Vehicles.

(c)Recreational vehicles specified in subdivision (b) of Section 18010 that are manufactured on or after January 1, 1999, shall be constructed in accordance with Standard No. A119.5, as contained in the 1998 edition of the Standards of the American National Standards Institute.

(d)A change in Standard No. A119.2 or A119.5 or in the NFPA 1192 Standard on Recreational Vehicles contained in a new edition of the Standards of the American National Standards Institute shall become operative on the 180th day following the publication

date.

(e)No recreational vehicle shall be equipped with more than one electrical power supply cord.

(f)Any recreational vehicle manufactured on or after January 1, 1999, that is offered for sale, sold, rented, or leased within this state shall bear a label or an insignia indicating the manufacturer’s compliance with the American National Standards Institute or National Fire Protection Association standard specified in subdivision (b) or (c).

(g)Any recreational vehicle manufactured prior to January 1, 1999, that is offered for sale, sold, rented, or leased within this state shall bear a label or an insignia of approval indicating the manufacturer’s compliance with the American National Standards Institute standard or a department insignia issued prior to January 1, 1999, indicating compliance with the state

standard that was in effect pursuant to this chapter on the date of manufacture, including any modifications contained in regulations.

(h)It is unlawful for any person to do either of the following:

(1)Remove, or cause to be removed, a label, an insignia, or an insignia of approval affixed pursuant to this section.

(2)Alter or convert, or cause to be altered or converted, any recreational vehicle in a manner that is inconsistent with ANSI Standard No. A119.2 or A119.5 or the NFPA 1192 Standard on Recreational Vehicles when the recreational vehicle is used, occupied, sold, or offered for sale within this state.

§ 18027.5

Added by Stats. 1981, Ch. 975, Sec. 3.

(a)It shall be unlawful to manufacture a truck camper as defined in Section 18010, unless the truck camper has a manufacturer’s serial or identification number legibly stamped onto or permanently affixed to the interior and exterior of the truck camper.

(b)No retailer shall sell any new truck camper unless the truck camper has a manufacturer’s serial or identification number as required in subdivision (a).

§ 18028

Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 239, Sec. 2. (SB 562) Effective January 1, 2012.

(a)The department may adopt regulations regarding the construction of commercial modulars and special purpose commercial modulars, other than mobile food facilities subject to Article 11 (commencing with Section 114250) of Chapter 4 of Part 7 of Division 104, and of multifamily manufactured homes, manufactured homes, and mobilehomes that are not subject to the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 5401 et seq.) that the department determines are reasonably necessary to protect the health and safety of the occupants and the public.

(b)Requirements for the construction, alteration, or conversion of commercial modulars shall be those

contained, with reasonably necessary additions or deletions, as adopted by department regulations, in all of the following:

(1)The 1991 Edition of the Uniform Building Code, published by the International Conference of Building Officials.

(2)The 1993 Edition of the National Electrical Code, published by the National Fire Protection Association.

(3)The 1991 Edition of the Uniform Mechanical Code, published jointly by the International Conference of Building Officials and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.

(4)The 1991 Edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.

(c)(1) The department shall, on or after January 1, 2008, adopt regulations for the construction, alteration, or conversion of commercial modulars based on Parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 11 of the California Building Standards Code, as contained in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, with appropriate additions, deletions, and other implementing provisions. The regulations adopted under this paragraph shall be placed within Title 25 of the California Code of Regulations.

(2)The requirements promulgated by the department pursuant to this section shall apply only to the construction, alteration, and conversion of commercial modulars, and not to the use or operation of commercial modulars.

(d)A municipality shall not prohibit the use of commercial modulars that bear a valid insignia, based on the date the insignia was issued.

§ 18028.5

Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 975, Sec. 10.

(a)The provisions of Section 17920.9, and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, shall be applicable to the sale, offering for sale, or use in the construction of commercial coaches and of manufactured homes and mobilehomes which are not subject to the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C., Sec. 5401, et seq.), of any foam building system, and to any such mobilehome or commercial coach in which that system is used as a component.

(b)All manufactured homes, including mobilehomes manufactured on or after June 15,

1976, shall comply with the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C., Sec. 5401, et seq.).

§ 18029

Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 664, Sec. 15. Effective January 1, 2009.

(a)It is unlawful for any person to alter or convert, or cause to be altered or converted, the structural, fire safety, plumbing, heat-producing, or electrical systems and installations or equipment of a manufactured home, mobilehome, multifamily manufactured home, special purpose commercial modular, or commercial modular that bears a department insignia of approval or federal label when the manufactured home, mobilehome, multifamily manufactured home, special purpose commercial modular, or commercial modular is used, occupied, sold, or

offered for sale within this state, unless its performance as altered or converted is in compliance with this chapter and applicable regulations adopted by the department. The department may adopt regulations providing requirements for alterations and conversions described in this section.

(b)(1) Any person required by this chapter or the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter to file an application for an alteration or conversion who fails to file that application shall pay double the application fee prescribed for the alteration or conversion by this chapter or by regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(2)Any person found for a second or subsequent time within a five-year period to have failed to file an application for alteration or conversion or causing the failure to file an application for alteration or conversion for a manufactured home,

mobilehome, multifamily manufactured home, special purpose commercial modular, or commercial modular shall pay 10 times the application fee prescribed in this chapter or by the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.

§ 18029.1

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 581, Sec. 1. (AB 682) Effective October 8, 2015.

(a)Notwithstanding Section 18029, a person may, without filing an application for an alteration or conversion required by this chapter, alter or convert, or cause to be altered or converted, the structural, fire safety, plumbing, heat-producing, or electrical systems and installations or equipment of a manufactured home or mobilehome in order to extend a gas line or electrical feeder line, or both, from a utility-owned service line to the electrical subpanel or gas inlet of the manufactured home or mobilehome only for the purpose of a natural gas or electric service utility upgrade, or both, within a mobilehome park that is subject to or consistent with the requirements of Public Utilities Commission Decision 14-03-021 (March 13,

2014).

(b)Notwithstanding Section 18029, if, at the time that natural gas or electric service is connected to a manufactured home or mobilehome as part of a natural gas or electric service utility upgrade, or both, within a mobilehome park that is subject to or consistent with the requirements of Public Utilities Commission Decision 14-03-021 (March 13, 2014), a defect in the manufactured home or mobilehome relating to the heat-producing or electrical systems or installations or equipment is found, the heat-producing or electrical systems or installations or equipment may be repaired or replaced without filing an application for an alteration or conversion required by this chapter if the repair or replacement is necessary to correct the defect, is made promptly, and is approved by the department.

(c)The department shall inspect any alteration or conversion described in subdivision (a) or (b) to ensure that any health and safety standards set forth in this part or Part 2.1 (commencing with Section 18200), or any rules and regulations adopted pursuant to those parts, that are consistent with the mission set out in Public Utilities Commission Decision 14-03-021 (March 13, 2014) are met.

§ 18029.3

Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 713, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.

(a)Any manufactured home, mobilehome, vehicle, or transportable structure manufactured, remanufactured, altered, used, or converted for use as a commercial coach or special purpose commercial coach shall comply with this part and the regulations adopted pursuant to this part relating to insignia and inspection requirements, construction, fire safety, electrical, heating, mechanical, plumbing, occupancy, and energy conservation.

(b)Special purpose commercial coach mobile

food preparation units shall also meet the requirements of Article 12 (commencing with Section 114285) of Chapter 4 of Part 7 of Division 104 and the regulations implementing, interpreting, and clarifying that article, as enforced by the State Department of Health Services, which shall supersede the requirements in this part and the regulations adopted pursuant to this part in the event of a conflict.

§ 18029.4

Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 707, Sec. 6.

Any special purpose commercial coach which is designed, manufactured, remanufactured, altered, used, or converted for use as a module of a permanently constructed building shall comply with the construction standards applicable to commercial coaches.

§ 18029.5

Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 293, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 1999.

(a)The department may adopt rules and regulations, which it determines to be reasonably consistent with generally recognized fire protection standards, governing conditions relating to the prevention of fire or for the protection of life and property against fire in manufactured homes, mobilehomes, special purpose commercial coaches, and commercial coaches. All manufactured homes and mobilehomes manufactured on or after June 15, 1976, shall comply with the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. Sec.

5401, et seq.).

(b)The chief fire official of every city, county, city and county, fire protection district, or other local fire protection agency shall file a report on each manufactured home and mobilehome fire occurring within his or her jurisdiction with the State Fire Marshal. The report shall be made on forms provided by the State Fire Marshal.

(c)The State Fire Marshal shall annually compile a statistical report on all manufactured home and mobilehome fires occurring within this state and shall furnish the department with a copy of the report. The annual report shall include, but need not be limited to, the number of manufactured home and mobilehome fires, the causes of the fires, the monetary loss, and any casualties or fatalities resulting from the fires.

§ 18029.6

Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 299, Sec. 1. (AB 338) Effective January 1, 2020.

(a)(1) Beginning January 1, 2020, all used manufactured homes, used mobilehomes, and used multifamily manufactured homes that are sold on or after January 1, 2020, or rented pursuant to a rental agreement entered into on or after January 1, 2020, shall have a smoke alarm installed in each room designed for sleeping that is operable on the date of rental or transfer of title. Each smoke alarm shall be

installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and have been approved and listed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 13114.

(2)The smoke alarm manufacturer’s information describing the operation, method and frequency of testing, and proper maintenance of all smoke alarms installed in the used manufactured home, used mobilehome, or used multifamily manufactured home shall be provided to the purchaser or renter of the used manufactured home, used mobilehome, or used multifamily manufactured home.

(b)The requirements of subdivision (a) shall be deemed satisfied if, within 45 days prior to the date

of rental or of transfer of title, the lessor or the transferor signs a declaration stating that each smoke alarm in the manufactured home, mobilehome, or multifamily manufactured home is installed pursuant to subdivision (a) and is operable on the date the declaration is signed.

(c)The department may adopt rules and regulations to clarify or implement this section.

(d)For sales of manufactured homes or mobilehomes installed on real property pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 18551, as to real estate agents licensed pursuant to Division 4 (commencing with Section 10000) of the Business and Professions Code, the

real estate licensee liability provisions of subdivisions (e), (f), and (g) of Section 13113.8 shall apply to the disclosures required by this section.

§ 18030

Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 293, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 1999.

(a)If the department determines that standards for commercial coaches and special purpose commercial coaches prescribed by the statutes or regulations of another state are at least equal to the standards prescribed by the department, the department may so provide by regulation. Thereafter, any commercial coaches or special purpose commercial coaches which that other state has approved as meeting its standards shall be deemed to meet the standards of the department, if the department determines that the standards of the other state are

actually being enforced.

(b)In lieu of the procedure set forth in subdivision (a), the department may contract with approved third-party entities for enforcement of the applicable provisions of this part for commercial coaches or special purpose commercial coaches manufactured outside this state for sale within this state. Third-party entities may apply to the department for enforcement authority pursuant to this subdivision by providing evidence to the satisfaction of the department that they satisfy all of the following criteria:

(1)They are independent and free from conflict of interest, have the ability to enforce this part, and shall enforce this part without an actual conflict of interest or any appearance of a conflict of interest.

(2)They are adequately staffed with qualified personnel who can, and

shall, implement all provisions of the contract, including monitoring, reporting, and enforcement.

(3)They have the authority, through contract or otherwise, and the ability to obtain correction of defects detected or reported as a result of their enforcement activities.

(4)They meet any other conditions of operation that the department may reasonably incorporate into the contract.

(c)If the department enters into a contract authorized by subdivision (b), the department may require cancellation clauses, fees, personnel résumés, reports, or other reasonable information or documents deemed necessary to ensure that subdivision (b) and this part are adequately enforced.

§ 18030.5

Amended by Stats. 1987, Ch. 707, Sec. 7.

A manufactured home, mobilehome, recreational vehicle, commercial coach, or special purpose commercial coach which meets the standards prescribed by this chapter, and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto, shall not be required to comply with any local ordinances or regulations prescribing requirements in conflict with the standards prescribed in this chapter.

§ 18031

Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1076, Sec. 25.

The department, by rules and regulations, may establish a schedule of fees to pay the costs of work related to administration and enforcement of this part. The fees collected shall be deposited in the Mobilehome-Manufactured Home Revolving Fund.

§ 18031.5

Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1076, Sec. 26.

Nothing in this part or any other provision of law shall be construed to prohibit the installation of fireplaces in manufactured homes and mobilehomes. The department shall adopt any regulations for the installation of fireplaces in manufactured homes, mobilehomes, or commercial coaches which it may determine are reasonably necessary in order to protect the health and safety of the occupants and to assure that an installation does not impair the efficiency of the primary heating or cooling system of the manufactured home, mobilehome, or commercial coach. All manufactured homes, mobilehomes, and commercial coaches manufactured on or after June 15, 1976,

which contain fireplaces, shall comply with the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C., Sec. 5401, et seq.).

§ 18031.7