What are Manufactured Homes and Tiny Homes?
The Division of Housing (DOH) breaks down these structures into four categories. There are Mobile Homes, HUD Homes, Modulars, and Tiny Homes. Each of these types of structures fall under specific requirements for the sale, manufacturing, installation and inspections. The DOH has taken these structure types and made it as simplistic as possible to comply with statute by developing our Administrative Rules 8 CCR 1302-14. The administrative rules clarify the differences of these structures and set specific requirements for each. Below is a summary of each structure:
Mobile Homes
Mobile homes are manufactured buildings that were built prior to 1976. These structures were built prior to any construction standards being enforced and are typically associated with Mobile Home Parks. They are usually temporarily installed and not placed on a permanent foundation. This does not mean they can’t be placed on a permanent foundation, but require a few additional steps for compliance. Due to the age of the units, the DOH only regulates the installation and sale of these structures, while local Jurisdictions who have active building departments, regulate the construction requirements for the foundation design and structure. Please contact your local building department for more information on their requirements for placing this type of structure in their jurisdiction. If there are no building departments in your area please contact the DOH for foundation, sale, and installation requirements.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Homes
HUD homes are federally regulated homes that are built to Title 24: Housing and Urban Development, Subtitle B construction standards. The construction of these homes are not regulated by Colorado Statutes or Rules but follow the specific requirements within Title 24. Although the construction standards are federally regulated, the DOH does have the authority to enact regulations on the sale, installation and installation inspections of these units. The DOH also does monitor the construction and manufacturing process when there are HUD manufacturers in the State of Colorado. Units that are imported from out of state are monitored by that State’s State Administrative Agent (SAA). The DOH is the SAA for Colorado.
Modulars
Modular homes are constructed to the adopted codes and standards amended in the Administrative Rules. These homes require plans to be submitted to the DOH for approval prior to the construction of the units. Modular homes do take into consideration the local geographical and climatic conditions of the site location they are installed but do not meet the same adopted codes amended and approved by the local jurisdiction. These structures are only permitted to be installed on permanent foundation systems. Modular homes can also be built to meet the requirements for Tiny Houses, which are built to provisions adopted by the DOH in rule. These homes are not the same as Tiny homes and not considered Park Models. These are structures that are approved for long-term living and considered dwellings. Modular also includes Multifamily Residential Homes like apartments, condos, and other similar uses. Most are built to the commercial standards adopted in rule, but by definition, multi-family structures can include townhouses. Multi-family structures built using commercial standards are processed through the FBNR program, while multi-family structures built to residential codes and processes through the FB program.
Tiny Homes
Tiny homes are constructed to the adopted codes and standards amended in the Administrative Rules. These homes require plans to be submitted to the DOH for approval prior to the construction of the units. Tiny Homes do take into consideration the local geographical and climatic conditions of the site location they are installed, but do not meet the same adopted codes amended and approved by the local jurisdiction. Tiny Homes are not considered Tiny Houses nor are they considered to be RV Park models. Tiny Homes are approved for long term living just like modulars, HUD code homes, and mobile homes. The biggest differences between a Tiny Home and a Tiny House is that they have a permanent chassis and can be placed on a permanent or temporary foundation system.
Quick Reference Guide to Modular Homes Requirements
| Requirement | Modular | Tiny Homes | HUD Code | Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 8 CCR 1302-14 | 8 CCR 1302-14 | HUD Title 24 | Per Local |
| Foundation | Permanent | Perm/Temp | Perm/Temp | Perm/Temp |
| Fire Suppression | Per Local | Per Local | Per Local With HUD approval | Per Local |
| Wild Fire Mitigation | Per Local | Per Local | Per Local With HUD approval | Per Local |
| Chassis | No | Yes | Yes HUD Code homes can also be built without a chasses, approved by the DAPIA of the State Authorized Agent of the State the home shipped from. | Yes |
| State Insignia | Yes | Yes | No HUD insignia (Red) is placed on the structure by the IPIA of the State Authorized Agent of the State the home shipped from. | No |
| Installation Insignia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Seller Registration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Installer Registration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Manufacturer Registration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Inspector Registration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Where These Structures can be Installed
Mobile Homes
Mobile homes can be installed in any jurisdiction as long as the home meets the local zoning and building code requirements.
HUD Homes
HUD homes that are certified by the SAA for installation in Colorado must comply with the following requirements, and if so, can be installed anywhere in Colorado as long as the local zoning allows for it. HUD understands that with Colorado’s vast range of snow and wind zones that it would be unsafe to install a HUD code home in certain areas of Colorado without additional mitigation. The locals can require site mitigation methods to be done in order to meet local wind and snow loads. The mitigation can not directly affect or change the construction of the home itself.
State of Colorado Minimum Design Criteria for HUD Construction
- Wind Zone: Zone 1
- Thermal Zone: Zone 3
- Roof Load Zone: Middle Zone (30psf)
Modular
Modular homes including Multifamily units are certified for the specific site location the home is to be installed. This does not mean that it can not be moved elsewhere in Colorado. It can be installed in other locations as long as the location meets the same design criteria for items listed above on the quick guidance table. If there are differences in design, the structure must go through revisions to address those changes.
Tiny Homes
Tiny Home units are certified for the specific site location the home is to be installed. This does not mean that it can not be moved elsewhere in Colorado. It can be installed in other locations as long as the location meets the same design criteria for items listed above on the quick guidance table. If there are differences in design, the structure must go through revisions to address those changes.