Earlier editions: 2026-09
Chapter 7 — BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS
El Centro Municipal Code Art. XVI Mobile Home and Residential Lots
El Centro Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · El Centro
Cite as: El Centro Municipal Code Article XVI · Text as of 2026-10-04
Footnotes:
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Editor's note— Ord. No. 25-09, § 1, adopted Dec. 2, 2025, repealed the former Art. XVI, §§ 7-93—7-99, and enacted a new Art. X as set out herein. The former Art. XVI pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from Ord. No. 18-11, § 1, adopted Dec. 4, 2018.
Sec. 7-93. - Mobile homes on lots zoned for single-family dwellings.¶
Mobile homes may be placed on foundations on lots in those zones described in chapter 29 of this code that specifically permit their utilization as single-family dwelling if placed on a permanent foundation in compliance with the provisions of this article.
(Ord. No. 25-09, § 1, 12-2-25)
Sec. 7-94. - Building permit required.¶
A building permit issued by the building official of the city shall be required for the installation of a mobile home on a foundation system. The building official shall require a written application for such permit. Such application shall contain a plot plan for such installation and such additional information, as the building official may deem appropriate for the proper administration of this article.
(Ord. No. 25-09, § 1, 12-2-25)
Sec. 7-95. - Building permit fee.¶
An application for a building permit to install a mobile home foundation system shall be accompanied by the fees determined as follows: The fees for the permit are based on the total valuation of the project, which includes the cost of the manufactured unit, the costs of the footings or foundation and the cost of any other improvements such as porches and storage sheds. The rate is as follows unless otherwise provided by law.
Valuation of Manufactured Home Permit Fee $2,000.00—$25,000.00:
| For the first $2,000.00 | $32.50 |
|---|---|
| Plus, for each additional $1,000.00 or fractions thereof to including $25,000.00 | $6.00 |
| $25,001.00—$50,000.00: | $25,001.00—$50,000.00: |
| For the first $25,000.00 | $170.50 |
| Plus, for each additional $1,000.00 or fractions thereof to and $50,000.00 | $4.50 |
| $50,001.00 and up: | $50,001.00 and up: |
| For the first $50,000.00 | $283.00 |
| Plus, for each additional $1,000.00 or fractions thereof | $3.50 |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no change in fee or new fee established pursuant to amendment of this schedule shall become effective unless imposed pursuant to chapter 13, (commencing with Section 54990) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the California Government Code.
(Ord. No. 25-09, § 1, 12-2-25)
Sec. 7-96. - Terms and conditions for issuance of permit.¶
The building official shall issue permits for the installation of mobile homes on a foundation system on eligible lots zoned therefore under the following terms and conditions:
(a) Eligibility. A mobile home shall not be located on a permanent foundation on a private lot unless it was constructed after September 15, 1971, and was issued an insignia of approval by the California Department of Housing and Community Development or was constructed after July 1, 1976, and was issued an insignia of approval by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; and such mobile home has not been altered in violation of applicable codes.
(b) Criteria. A mobile home located on a foundation system on a lot zoned for single-family shall:
(1) Be occupied for residential purposes and uses.
(2) Be subject to all provisions of the applicable ordinances of the city relating to residential structures.
(3) Meet the requirements for the applicable zone in which the mobile home is to be located, including, but not limited to, building setback standards, side and rear yards requirements, standards for enclosures, access and vehicle parking.
(4) Be attached to a permanent foundation system in compliance with title 25 of the California Administrative Code including without limitation the following:
a. Foundation system definition. A foundation system is an assembly of materials constructed below, or partly below grade, not intended to be removed from its installation site, which is designated to support the structure and engineered to resist the imposition of external natural forces.
b. Mobile home foundation systems shall be designated in accordance with the provisions of the California Building Code, 2022 edition, and local soil conditions. Design conditions for roof, wind and seismic loads applicable to permanent building foundations shall be applicable to the mobile home foundation system.
c. The mobile home shall be installed in accordance with installation instructions provided by:
The manufacturer of the mobile home; or
A California licensed architect or engineer for an individual mobile home where manufacturer's installation instructions are not available.
d. Both the foundation system and connection of the mobile home to the foundation system be capable of withstanding the design loads and concentrated loads identified in the installation instructions.
e. A foundation system plan shall be provided in addition to the installation instructions. The foundation system plan may be:
Provided by the mobile home manufacturer either as part of, or separate from, the installation instructions;
Provided by the installation contractor;
Required to be signed by a California licensed architect or engineer.
f. A foundation system plan approved by the California Department of Housing and Community Development will be accepted.
(5) Have a minimum width of twenty (20) feet.
(6) Be covered with an exterior material customarily used on conventional dwellings and approved by the building official. The exterior covering material shall extend to the ground, except when a solid concrete or masonry perimeter foundation is used, the exterior covering material need not extend below the top of the foundation.
(7) Have a roof with a pitch of not less than two (2) inch vertical rise for each twelve (12) inches of horizontal run and consisting of shingles or other materials customarily used for conventional dwellings and approved by the building official.
(8) Have porches and eaves, or roofs with eaves to make it compatible with the dwellings in the area.
(9) The building official, in the issuance of a permit to install a mobile home on a foundation system, shall enforce the requirements of section 18551(a) of the California Health and Safety Code.
(Ord. No. 25-09, § 1, 12-2-25)
Sec. 7-97. - Variance of criteria.¶
No variance may be granted from subparagraphs (1), (2), (3), (4) and (9) of section 7-96, above. Variances may be granted by the administrative committee with right of appeal to the planning commission as to subparagraphs (5), (6), (7) and (8) of section 7-96.
(Ord. No. 25-09, § 1, 12-2-25)
Sec. 7-98. - Surrender of registration.¶
Prior to the occupancy of a mobile home installed on a foundation, the building department shall issue a certificate of occupancy pursuant to section 18551(b)(2) of the California Health and Safety Code. Thereupon, any vehicle license plates certificate of ownership and certificate of registration issued by a state agency shall be surrendered to the building official for delivery to the department of housing and community development.
(Ord. No. 25-09, § 1, 12-2-25)
Sec. 7-99. - Taxation of mobile homes on foundations.¶
A mobile home placed on a foundation system pursuant to this article shall thereupon be subject to local property taxation.
(Ord. No. 25-09, § 1, 12-2-25)
Secs. 7-100, 7-101. - Reserved.¶
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