About Manufactured/Mobile Homes

What is the difference between a manufactured or mobile home?

A manufactured home is a single-family dwelling built according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act, which is a national, preemptive building code.

A mobile home is a factory-built dwelling built prior to June 15, 1976, to standards other than the HUD Code, that were acceptable under applicable state codes in effect at the time of construction or introduction of the home into the state. WAC 296-150M.

Identifying a manufactured/mobile home

A manufactured/mobile home can be identified by one or more of the following:

A certification label from HUD attached to the exterior side of the end wall opposite the hitch.

A metallic label (insignia) on the end wall opposite the hitch (or on older units may be next to the front or back door) issued by L&I that is (or was) red. (See examples.) New insignia   Old insignia

Some or all of the following components: A steel frame that supports the floor. A data plate www.hud.gov on the interior of the home that contains the name and address of the manufacturer as well as a statement "or manufactured home is designed to comply with ..." as well as other information. It is usually located near the main electrical panel box, in the laundry area, inside a closet, on a cabinet door in the bathroom, laundry room, or kitchen. A heat loss certificate that specifies the heating zone for which the home was designed as well as other data pertaining to the home. A serial number stamped on the front metal crossmember. A title issued by the Department of Licensing. The furnace and water heater have markings on them specifying that they may be used in manufactured/mobile homes. The main electrical panel box has four (4) wire coming into it. The electric range and electric dryer have four (4) connection points. There are labels on the exterior walls near each of the services (i.e. water inlet, electrical inlet, and sewer drain). If a home has any of these items, it is a manufactured/mobile home and requires inspections for all alterations by L&I.

More information:

What homeowners and contractors should know when altering a manufactured/mobile home. (627 KB PDF / 1.5 min)

Is the home missing HUD labels? www.hud.gov

Log on to Secure Access Washington (SAW)

Important Information: New users must also submit an Application to Access Electronic Permits & Inspection System (EPIS) to receive access to EPIS through SAW. Changes for EPIS, New Manage Class B permits option, for Class B books and related permits sold after March 1, 2013.

What alterations require permits?

Homeowners and contractors: L&I makes sure that changes (alterations) to manufactured/mobile homes meet safety standards. You must obtain a permit before starting an alteration.

Note: Structural alteration permits must be purchased at your local L&I office.

Does your alteration require a permit and inspection?

Select the item below and if "YES" appears in the "Required?" column the item requires a permit and inspection.

If "Yes," then go on to the next step    Purchase a Permit

Pay Alteration Permit fees Online

Alteration permit fees may now be paid online. The permit number and the code that is printed on the second page of the permit are required for payment.

For more information:

 Get Help Downloading Files (files open in a new window).

 Check the status of an alteration permit or inspection.

Log on to Secure Access Washington (SAW)

Important Information: New users must also submit an Application to Access Electronic Permits & Inspection System (EPIS) to receive access to EPIS through SAW. Changes for EPIS, New Manage Class B permits option, for Class B books and related permits sold after March 1, 2013.

Purchase an alteration permit

Are you certain that you need a permit and inspection?

Many, but not all, alterations require a permit and inspection. Find out which alterations require permits and which ones do not.

Be sure to download and print a pre-inspection checklist.

Notice: Structural alteration permits must be purchased at your local L&I office.

Contractors (Purchase Here).
• ONLINE here (SecureAccess Washington subscribers only).
  
   How to sign up for SAW.

  1. Complete the Application to Access L&I's Electronic Permit & Inspection System (EPIS) and submit it to L&I using the directions on the application form.
  2. Create a username and password in SAW.
  3. Add EPIS (Electronic Permit & Inspection System) to your SAW account.

  NOTE: SAW allows you to view your account balance and history.

ONLINE (SAW subscription not required).
1. You must have a printer.
2. We accept Visa and MasterCard only.

Note: Apple/MacIntosh users – Safari browser will not work, use Firefox/Mozilla browser.

• By fax.
1. Download and print the Factory Assembled Structures Alteration Application.
2. Fax it to your local L&I office.
3. Use your contractor deposit (CD) account to pay for it.
• By mail.
1. Download and complete the Factory Assembled Structures Alteration Application.
2. Mail it with a check or money order to your local L&I office.
3. Use your contractor deposit (CD) account to pay for it.
• Go to your local L&I office.
  1. Download and complete theFactory Assembled Structures Alteration Application or pick one up at your local L&I office.
  2. Pay by cash, check, money order, credit card or use your contractor deposit (CD) account at your local L&I office.

 

Open and use a contractor deposit (CD) account with L&I.
• To open a CD account with L&I, an owner or principle of the company must first:
• Complete and sign the Request for SAW/EPIS Access using Contractor Deposit Account and submit it to L&I following the directions on the application.
• Once registered, you can deposit money into your CD account:
• By mail: Send a CD account deposit slip and a check or money order to your local L&I office,
  OR
• Go to your local L&I office and make your deposit by check.
• You can use your CD account to purchase a permit any of the following ways:
• Log into EPIS through Secure Access Washington to purchase a permit. Choose the Contractor Deposit (CD) Account option to pay for it. The cost of the permit will automatically be withdrawn from your CD account, OR
• By fax, by mail, or go into your local L&I office.

 

Property owners (Purchase Here) .
• ONLINE here, using your credit card:
  1. Must have a printer.
  2. Visa and MasterCard only.
• NOTE to Apple/MacIntosh computer users: Safari browser will not work, use Firefox/Mozilla browser.
• By mail:
1. Download and complete the Factory Assembled Structures Alteration Application.
2. Mail it with a check or money order to your local L&I office.
• Go to your local L&I office:
  1. Download and complete the Factory Assembled Structures Alteration Application or pick one up at your local L&I office.
  2. Pay by cash, check, money order or credit card at your local L&I office.

  If you hire an electrical contractor

  • Please be aware that electrical contractors must purchase their own electrical permits for work they do on your property.
  • Check here to ensure they are properly licensed and their electricians are properly certified.

If you are hiring a contractor

Check here to ensure they are properly licensed and their electricians/plumbers are properly certified.

How much are the fees?

To help estimate your costs, view the fee schedule. Fees can vary, however, depending on what you are doing. Call your local L&I office to request the fees specific to your job.

After you have completed the job   Be sure to schedule an inspection.

Pay Alteration Permit fees Online
Alteration permit fees may now be paid online. The permit number and the code that is printed on the second page of the permit are required for payment.

For more information:
Your Manufactured/Mobile Home: What homeowners and contractors should know when altering a home (727 KB PDF / 2 min).

For questions, please call or visit an L&I office near you.

 Check the status of an alteration permit or inspection.

Be sure to download and print a pre-inspection checklist.

Log on to Secure Access Washington (SAW)

Important Information: New users must also submit an Application to Access Electronic Permits & Inspection System (EPIS) to receive access to EPIS through SAW. Changes for EPIS, New Manage Class B permits option, for Class B books and related permits sold after March 1, 2013.

How to schedule an inspection

When the work is completely done, you can request an inspection several convenient ways:

• Contractors
  • ONLINE here (SecureAccess Washington subscribers only).**
    • Log in through SecureAccess Washington using your user name and password.
    • Search for your permit and request an inspection.
      Note: Apple/MacIntosh users – Safari browser will not work, use Firefox/Mozilla browser.
  • ONLINE here (24 hours), using the permit number & authorization code.
    Note: You can also review the results of the inspection here.
    Note: Apple/MacIntosh users – Safari browser will not work, use Firefox/Mozilla browser.
  • Call your local L&I office and leave a message on the request line (after 4 p.m. not recorded until next business day).
  • Go to your local L&I office.
• Property owners

How much are the fees?

To help estimate your costs, view the fee schedule. Fees can vary, however, depending on what you are doing. Call your local L&I office to request the fees specific to your job.

Pay Alteration Permit fees Online

Alteration permit fees may now be paid online. The permit number and the code that is printed on the second page of the permit are required for payment.

For more information:

Your Manufactured/Mobile Home: What homeowners and contractors should know when altering a home (727 KB PDF / 2 min).

 Get Help Downloading Files (files open in a new window).

Fees

Fees for manufactured home alteration permits increased May 1, 2012.

We've also streamlined our fee system so it no longer will be necessary for customers to calculate payments depending on the permit type.
View the new fees that went into effect May 1.