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Residential Building

Manufactured (Mobile) Home Permitting Information

Orange County Government

Summary

This page explains the basic requirements for submitting permit applications for work related to manufactured (mobile) homes. This page provides links to guides and other resources to assist customers with the online permitting process.

Page Contents

How to Apply

Please submit all required plans and documentation as part of your permit application using Orange County’s Fast Track Online Services permitting portal. Before you get started, please refer to the One-Stop Permitting Guide for information about the application process, review the Residential Plan Review Checklist and visit the Fast Track Training Hub and download the User Guide.

Fast Track Online Permitting Services

Manufactured (Mobile) Home Permitting Information

DETAILED PERMITTING REQUIRMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES MAY BE FOUND IN THE FOLLOWING: Guide for Residential Plan Approval

MANUFACTURED (MOBILE) HOME DEFINITION

Per the Florida Building Code Residential, manufactured home means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, that in the traveling mode is 8 body feet (2438 body mm) or more in width or 40 body feet (12 192 body mm) or more in length, or, where erected on site, is 320 square feet (30 m2) or more, and that is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation where connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air-conditioning and electrical systems contained therein; except that such term shall include any structure that meets all the requirements of this paragraph except the size requirements and with respect to which the manufacturer voluntarily files a certification required by the secretary (HUD) and complies with the standards established under this title. For mobile homes built prior to June 15, 1976, a label certifying compliance to the Standard for Mobile Homes, NFPA 501, in effect at the time of manufacture is required. For the purpose of these provisions, a mobile home shall be considered to be a manufactured home.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PERMIT TYPES

Manufactured (Mobile) Home Tie-down

  1. Mobile Home Worksheet (page 1 and page 2)
  2. Floor Plan identifying all room uses
  3. Foundation plan to include pier detail, spacing and sizes. 
    1. ABS pad sizes
    2. Block, pads, and anchoring schedule
  4. Installation Instructions for all steel foundation systems
  5. Approved anchor manufacturer's listing documentation

ADDITIONAL PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC TO LOT TYPE: 

Private Lot Mobile Home Requirements:

  • Site plan or Survey showing the location of the proposed structure. For questions on the requirements for a site plan/plot plan/survey, contact zoning at Zoning@ocfl.net or call 407-836-3111. 
  • Lot Grading/Drainage Plan and finished floor elevation. 

Mobile Home Parks Requirements: 

  • Provide a mobile home park site plan. Document the distance from the proposed structure to adjacent structures. 

Additions to a Manufactured (Mobile) Home

ADDITION, as defined by the Florida Building Code, an extension or increase in floor area, number of stories or height of a building or structure.

  1. Construction Plans prepared by a Florida Licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect in accordance with the most current Residential Florida Building Code. 
    • All documents shall be properly signed, dated and sealed for the required method of submittal 
    • Existing Floor Plan of the adjacent rooms and Proposed Floor Plan, with all room uses labeled, must be included as part of the plan set. Identify the existing and proposed means of egress required from any adjacent sleeping room. Egress openings must be labeled "Egress" on the floor plan.
  2.  Construction Documents 
  3. When applicable the following may be required:
    •  Site plan or Survey showing the location of the proposed structure. For questions on the requirements for a site plan/plot plan/survey, contact zoning at Zoning@ocfl.net or call 407-836-3111. (See below for specific lot type requirements.)
    • Lot Grading/Drainage Plan and finished floor elevation. 
    • Energy Calculations, ACCA manuals J, S, D and Energy Performance Level (EPL) display card are required when installing HVAC equipment. 
      • When installing or modifying ductwork, a mechanical duct layout is required. 
    • Truss engineering prepared by a Florida Licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect are required and must be submitted as part of the initial plan review. 
      • All documents shall be properly signed, dated and sealed for the required method of submittal 
      • A truss layout provided by the truss manufacturer is required to be submitted. This layout is not required to be signed and sealed but must match the roof framing plans provided by the design professional of record.
    • A Completed Orange County Product Approval Specification Sheet. 
      • Note: Approved installation details and screen shots for all products listed below are NO LONGER required to be submitted for plan review. However, you are required to have the approved installation details on the jobsite for inspection. Failure to do so will result in a failed inspection. If the applicant chooses to submit the installation details and instructions with the screen prints, the documents will be stamped as a part of your approved plan set reducing the risk of a failed inspection for not having the required documents available onsite for inspection. 

ADDITIONAL PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC TO LOT TYPE: 

Private Lot Mobile Home Requirements:

  • Site plan or Survey showing the location of the proposed structure. For questions on the requirements for a site plan/plot plan/survey, contact zoning at Zoning@ocfl.net or call 407-836-3111. 
  • Lot Grading/Drainage Plan and finished floor elevation. 

Mobile Home Parks Requirements: 

  • Provide a mobile home park site plan. Document the distance from the proposed structure to adjacent structures. 

ADDITIONAL PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS GENERAL:

Fourth Wall Construction Requirement - Additions to a mobile/manufactured home of any kind shall be free standing and self-supporting with only the flashing attached to the mobile home (fourth wall construction). Fourth wall construction must be detailed in a wall section and shown on both the foundation plan and floor plan. In lieu of fourth wall construction, the design professional for the addition must provide a site specific statement that certifies the size and type of the structure to be added will not lessen the integrity of the mobile home. This may be included in a signed and sealed site specific letter or on the engineered plans. (F.A.C. 15C-1, 15C-2)

Alterations to a Manufactured (Mobile) Home

ALTERATION, as defined by the Florida Building Code, any construction, retrofit or renovation to an existing structure other than repair or addition that requires a permit. Also, a change in a building, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system that involves an extension, addition or change to the arrangement, type or purpose of the original installation that requires a permit.

IN GENERAL:

Rule 15C-2.0081 of the “Mobile/Manufactured Home Installation Standards” state, “Repair or remodeling of mobile/manufactured homes shall require the use of material and design equivalent to the original construction”.

In cases where the repair is structural in nature, the customer will be required to obtain construction drawings prepared by a Florida Licensed Engineer or Registered Architect. In the event the proposed repair includes the use of materials that are not of the design equivalent to the original construction, the design professional of record must include a statement that the repair or alterations as proposed will not lessen the integrity of the mobile home. 

GENERAL PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS: 

  1. When applicable, Site plan or Survey showing the location of the proposed structure. For questions on the requirements for a site plan/plot plan/survey, contact zoning at Zoning@ocfl.net or call 407-836-3111. (See below for specific lot type requirements.)
  2. When applicable, Lot Grading/Drainage Plan and finished floor elevation. 
  3. Construction Plans prepared by an Florida Licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect in accordance with the most current Residential Florida Building Code.
    • All documents shall be properly signed, dated and sealed for the required method of submittal 
    • Existing Floor Plan of the adjacent rooms and Proposed Floor Plan, with all room uses labeled, must be included as part of the plan set. Identify the existing and proposed means of egress required from any adjacent sleeping room. Egress openings must be labeled "Egress" on the floor plan.
  4.  Construction Documents 
  5. When applicable, Energy Calculations, ACCA manuals J, S, D and Energy Performance Level (EPL) display card are required when installing HVAC equipment.
    • When installing or modifying ductwork, a mechanical duct layout is required. 
  6. When applicable, Truss engineering prepared by a Florida Licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect are required and must be submitted as part of the initial plan review.
    • All documents shall be properly signed, dated and sealed for the required method of submittal 
    • A truss layout provided by the truss manufacturer is required to be submitted. This layout is not required to be signed and sealed but must match the roof framing plans provided by the design professional of record.
  7. A Completed Orange County Product Approval Specification Sheet.
    • Note: Approved installation details and screen shots for all products listed below are NO LONGER required to be submitted for plan review. However, you are required to have the approved installation details on the jobsite for inspection. Failure to do so will result in a failed inspection. If the applicant chooses to submit the installation details and instructions with the screen prints, the documents will be stamped as a part of your approved plan set reducing the risk of a failed inspection for not having the required documents available onsite for inspection. 

ADDITIONAL PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC TO LOT TYPE: 

Private Lot Mobile Home Requirements:

  • Site plan or Survey showing the location of the proposed structure. For questions on the requirements for a site plan/plot plan/survey, contact zoning at Zoning@ocfl.net or call 407-836-3111. 
  • Lot Grading/Drainage Plan and finished floor elevation. 

Mobile Home Parks Requirements: 

  • Provide a mobile home park site plan. Document the distance from the proposed structure to adjacent structures. 

Repairs to a Manufactured (Mobile) Home

REPAIR, as defined by the Florida Building Code, the reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance or to correct damage.

 

IN GENERAL:

  • Rule 15C-2.0081 of the “Mobile/Manufactured Home Installation Standards” state, “Repair or remodeling of mobile/manufactured homes shall require the use of material and design equivalent to the original construction”. 
  • In cases where the repair is structural in nature, the customer will be required to obtain construction drawings prepared by a Florida Licensed Engineer or Registered Architect. In the event the proposed repair includes the use of materials that are not of the design equivalent to the original construction, the design professional of record must include a statement that the repair or alterations as proposed will not lessen the integrity of the mobile home.

GENERAL PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS 

  1. A detailed scope of work, clearly identifying the work to be performed. 
  2. Construction plans are required in most cases. However, construction plans are only required to be signed and sealed by a Florida Licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect when repairs are made to components which may affect the structural stability of a building or structure.
    • When applicable, all documents shall be properly signed, dated and sealed for the required method of submittal. 
    •  Construction Documents
  3. When applicable the following may be required:
    •  Site plan or Survey showing the location of the proposed structure. For questions on the requirements for a site plan/plot plan/survey, contact zoning at Zoning@ocfl.net or call 407-836-3111. (See below for specific lot type requirements.)
    • Lot Grading/Drainage Plan and finished floor elevation. 
    • Energy Calculations, ACCA manuals J, S, D and Energy Performance Level (EPL) display card are required when installing HVAC equipment. 
      • When installing or modifying ductwork, a mechanical duct layout is required. 
    • Truss engineering prepared by a Florida Licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect are required and must be submitted as part of the initial plan review. 
      • All documents shall be properly signed, dated and sealed for the required method of submittal 
      • A truss layout provided by the truss manufacturer is required to be submitted. This layout is not required to be signed and sealed but must match the roof framing plans provided by the design professional of record.
    • A Completed Orange County Product Approval Specification Sheet. 
      • Note: Approved installation details and screen shots for all products listed below are NO LONGER required to be submitted for plan review. However, you are required to have the approved installation details on the jobsite for inspection. Failure to do so will result in a failed inspection. If the applicant chooses to submit the installation details and instructions with the screen prints,  the documents will be stamped as a part of your approved plan set reducing the risk of a failed inspection for not having the required documents available onsite for inspection. 

ADDITIONAL PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC TO LOT  TYPE: 

Private Lot Mobile Home Requirements:

  • Site plan or Survey showing the location of the proposed structure. For questions on the requirements for a site plan/plot plan/survey, contact zoning at Zoning@ocfl.net or call 407-836-3111. 
  • Lot Grading/Drainage Plan and finished floor elevation. 

Mobile Home Parks Requirements: 

  • Provide a mobile home park site plan. Document the distance from the proposed structure to adjacent structures. 

ADDITIONAL PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC TO THIS PERMIT TYPE: 

Stucco Over Mobile Home:

Rule 15C-2.0081 of the “Mobile/Manufactured Home Installation Standards” state, “Repair or remodeling of mobile/manufactured homes shall require the use of material and design equivalent to the original construction”.

Therefore, stuccoing over a mobile home is not permitted without signed and sealed engineering by a Florida licensed design professional. The design professional of record must include a statement that the repair or alterations as proposed will not lessen the integrity of the mobile home.

APPLY NOW VIA FAST TRACK

Inspection Requirements

Inspections are required for all permits. For additional information, refer to the inspection record provided upon permit issuance for a list of inspection types that may be required for your project.  For additional questions, please contact 407-836-5550 and request to speak to a Building Inspections Team Member. Use Fast Track to schedule and manage inspections online. To learn more, please visit the Fast Track Video Resources

A passed "290 Final Inspection" is required in order for the permit status to change to complete. Failure to schedule and pass a Final Inspection within the allowed time will result in the permit Expiring. Additional expense to reinstate/replace the permit and possibly updated plans and documentation may be required. 

Permit Issuance

A licensed contractor will be required to accept permit issuance. An owner-builder may act as Contractor under Exemption to F.S. 489.103(7)(a).

Frequently Asked Questions

Who May Obtain This Permit?

Permits for mobile homes may only be obtained by either a Florida licensed Mobile Home Installer or an owner-builder.

Who Can Perform the mobile home Installation?

All installations of mobile/manufactured homes shall be performed by either a licensed installer, dealer installer or manufacturer installer. For a list of Mobile Home Installer, Mobile Home Manufactures, Forms and Resources visit the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles "Dealers, Installers, Manufactures, Distributors, and Importers" Website

Note: A Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Mobile Home Installation Decal shall be affixed adjacent to the HUD label on the mobile/manufactured home by the licensed mobile home installer and must be present for final inspection. 

What is the difference between a Manufactured-Mobile Home and a Modular Home?

  • MANUFACTURED HOME -  For the purpose of these provisions, a mobile home shall be considered to be a manufactured home.
  • MODULAR HOME - Any residential unit, constructed to standards promulgated by the Florida Building Commission, away from the installation site, and which bears a Department of Business and Professional Regulation Insignia. 
  • Additional information can be found at: https://www.floridabuilding.org/fbc/Manufactured_Buildings/Mobile_vs_Modular_Homes_rev.pdf 

Contact Us

For questions, please call the Division of Building Safety:
 
Phone:  (407) 836-5550