Federal Legislation Removes Chassis Requirement for Manufactured Housing to Lower Costs
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act has removed the federal requirement that manufactured homes be built on permanent steel chassis. This legislative shift allows for factory-built homes to be constructed without towing frames, potentially reducing material costs and enabling more flexible, multi-level assembly designs that resemble traditional site-built homes. While the act lowers production barriers, Realtor.com® reports that local zoning remains a significant obstacle. Currently, only 17% of zoned land in the U.S. allows for manufactured housing parks. The success of this new manufacturing model depends on whether municipal leaders update restrictive architectural standards and minimum floor-area rules to accommodate chassis-free homes.
Topics: 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act housing policy manufactured housing zoning laws