New manufactured home standards pushed to September amid Trump’s regulatory freeze
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has postponed the implementation of its updated Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (MHCSS) from Mar. 17, 2025, to Sep. 15, 2025.
The Trump Administration has delayed the effective date for these new manufactured housing standards to “give regulatory relief and additional time for industry stakeholders to make needed modifications to manufactured home floor plans and other design compliance requirements approved by Design Approval Primary Inspection Agencies before use in manufactured housing production,” HUD said in a statement.
HUD’s decision temporarily freezes updates to manufactured home design and construction standards that were finalized last September under the Biden administration.
The 90 regulatory updates cover various aspects, including open floor plans, roof designs, energy-efficient appliances, and the introduction of four-unit manufactured homes - a move that could expand affordable housing options.
Industry organization Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) previously welcomed these updates, saying they would help the sector deliver homes with modern features and innovative designs.
"Today’s updates to the construction code for manufactured housing will support the industry in delivering homes with innovative designs and modern features," MHI chief executive Lesli Gooch said in September. "This brings attainable homeownership to more people across the country."
Gooch also praised HUD for removing additional regulatory hurdles that had previously slowed production.
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Despite HUD initially rejecting industry concerns about the six-month compliance window, manufacturers and stakeholders pushed for additional time to adapt to the new structural and electrical requirements. The revised standards require modifications in areas such as wood load specifications, fastening requirements, and electrical system compliance with the latest National Electric Code.
Manufacturers also pointed out the complexity of redesigning entire floorplans to comply with the new rules. These updates require multiple rounds of planning, design adjustments, and regulatory review by Design Approval Primary Inspection Agencies (DAPIAs) before implementation.
Additionally, manufacturers and third-party vendors expressed concerns over sourcing materials, adjusting production processes, and ensuring cost efficiency under the new requirements. Stakeholders emphasized that rushing compliance without adequate preparation could lead to higher production costs and potential supply chain disruptions.
HUD acknowledged that the six-month implementation deadline was unrealistic for manufacturers to complete required design modifications and approvals.
“HUD acknowledges this action is a departure from the six-month deadline established by the MHCSS 4th and 5th Sets final rule,” the agency wrote in the Federal Register. “In the notice-and-comment process on the proposed rule, HUD received comments from manufacturers and stakeholders expressing concern about the six-month deadline to HUD and asked for additional time to modify designs and implement processes to ensure compliance with new regulations. HUD did not accept the recommendations and established the March 17, 2025, effective date.”
The new compliance date of September 15, gives manufacturers and stakeholders additional time to finalize floorplans, adjust procurement strategies, and align with updated regulatory requirements.
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