(a) (1) A permit shall be obtained from the enforcement agency each time a manufactured home or mobilehome is to be located, installed, or reinstalled, on any site for the purpose of human habitation or occupancy as a dwelling.
(2) For purposes of this section, the terms “located,” “installed,” and “reinstalled” include alteration, modification, or replacement of the mobilehome stabilizing devices, load-bearing supports, or both.
(b) The contractor engaged to install the manufactured home or mobilehome shall obtain the permit, except when the owner of the manufactured home or mobilehome proposes to perform the installation. When a contractor applies for a permit to install a manufactured home or mobilehome, he or she shall display a valid contractor’s license. The contractor shall complete the installation of the manufactured home or mobilehome in accordance with the regulations adopted by the department within the time limitations which shall be established by regulations of the department. The time limitations shall allow contractors a reasonable amount of time within which to complete manufactured home or mobilehome installations.
(c) If inspection of the manufactured home or mobilehome installation by the enforcement agency determines that the manufactured home or mobilehome cannot be approved for occupancy due to defective material, systems, workmanship, or equipment of the manufactured home or mobilehome, the contractor shall be allowed a reasonable amount of time, as determined by regulations of the department, to complete the installation after the defects in the manufactured home or mobilehome have been corrected.
(d) The enforcement agency shall immediately notify the department whenever any manufactured home or mobilehome cannot be approved for occupancy due to defects of the manufactured home or mobilehome. The report of notification shall indicate health and safety defects and, in the case of new manufactured homes or mobilehomes, substantial defects of materials and workmanship. For purposes of this section, “substantial defects of materials and workmanship” means defects objectively manifested by broken, ripped, cracked, stained, or missing parts or components and shall not include alleged defects concerning color combinations or grade of materials used. If the manufactured home or mobilehome fails the installation inspection because of conditions which do not endanger the health or safety of the occupant, the owner may occupy the manufactured home or mobilehome. If, however, the installation fails inspection due to immediate hazards to the health or safety of the occupant, as determined by the enforcement agency, the manufactured home or mobilehome shall not be occupied.
(e) Except as provided in Section 18930, the department shall adopt regulations for the installations and regulations which specify a standard form required to be used statewide by enforcement agencies as a certificate of occupancy or statement of installation acceptance. The department shall transmit a copy of the standard form to all enforcement agencies. An enforcement agency shall not be required to use the standard forms until their existing stock of forms for this purpose is depleted. The regulations adopted by the department pursuant to this section shall establish the requirements which the department determines are reasonably necessary for the protection of life and property and to carry out the purposes of this section. In adopting building regulations or adopting other regulations pursuant to this section, the department shall consider reassembly of the manufactured home or mobilehome, stabilizing devices and load-bearing supports, and utility connections and connectors.
(f) The department shall establish a schedule of fees for the permits required by this section commensurate with the cost of the enforcement of this section and the regulations adopted pursuant to this section. Where a city, county, or city and county is responsible for the enforcement, the city, county, or city and county may establish a schedule of fees not to exceed the actual cost of enforcement and not to exceed those fees established by the department where the department is the enforcement agency. Permit fees and reinspection fees shall be paid to the enforcement agency by the permittee.
(g) This section does not apply to recreational vehicles or commercial coaches.
(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 686, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 1993.)