Manufactured Home Permits

This web page is designed to help you through the permitting and construction processes associated with any additions or alterations to a manufactured home.  Please note, construction or alterations associated with a manufactured home may require permits from the City, the State of California Housing and Community Development Department (HCD), or in some instances both.  

Per California Code of Regulations Title 25 section 1018(a), no person shall erect, construct, reconstruct, install, replace, relocate or alter any building, structure, accessory building or structure, or building component;  any electrical, mechanical, or plumbing equipment, any fuel gas equipment and installations, or fire protection equipment; or installations of, or within, a park, or a lot, or perform any non-load bearing grading or area fill with a depth of 1 foot or greater, without first obtaining a written construction permit from the enforcement agency (City of Carlsbad).

Per the California Health and Safety Code Section 18029, any alterations or conversions to the manufactured home, multifamily manufactured home, special purpose commercial modular, or commercial modular including structural, fire safety, plumbing, heat-producing, or electrical systems and installations or equipment requires the submission and approval of an application from HCD. 

Providing that construction is performed in a workmanlike manner, does not present a hazard, and complies with both Title 25 and other relevant codes, as applicable, a permit is not required for the following:

1. Minor maintenance and repair including the replacement of existing utility metering devices.
2. Previously installed portable air conditioning equipment reinstalled with the unit installation.
3. The installation of a storage cabinet on a lot, as defined in Title 25 section 1002(s)(12).
4. Construction or installation of a stairway having a landing not to exceed 12 square feet.
5. A landing not more than 12 square feet in area.
6. Construction or installation of a window awning or door awning.
7. Construction or installation of removable insect screening, flexible plastic or canvas type material used as an awning or as an awning or carport enclosures.
8. Construction or installation of a retaining wall less than 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless it is supporting a surcharge load.
9. Construction or installation of a patio, as defined in Title 25 section 1002(p)(3).
10. Fences not over 6 feet high.
11. Canvas or cloth awnings provided they meet the setback and separation requirements for combustible materials contained in section 1428 of Title 25.

Should the work being carried out not be exempt from permit requirements, a permit application to either the City, HCD, or both is required.  The Manufactured Home Permit Guidelines – City vs. HCD along with Manufactured Home Alterations and Permit Guidelines – HCD MH 604 will provide you with guidance on which permit are required for your project.

B-53 Manufactured home application 

• Manufactured home Installation
  • Manufactured home Accessory Structures:
  • Carports
  • Awnings
  • Ramps
  • Cabanas (room addition)
  • Enclosed Awnings
• Porches, Decks and Landings
• Ramada (freestanding roof structure)
• Earthquake Resistant Bracing System (ERBS)
• Installation, upgrade or relocation of lot or park services/utilities

Form HCD 415  Permit Application for alteration, addition or conversion, alternate approval, technical services, or obtaining an insignia to a manufactured home

• Any structural, fire safety, plumbing, heat-producing, or electrical systems and installations or equipment alteration to the existing manufactured home.  Refer to Manufactured Home Alterations and Permit Guidelines – HCD MH 604 for a thorough list of when a permit is required from HCD

All permit fees are set by HCD and can be found in sections 1020.6 through 1025 of Title 25.  The requirements for submittal of an application to the City B-53 Manufactured home application are detailed below.