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Program History

Factory-built Housing Program

The first state law establishing a statewide program addressing the particular needs of the factory-built housing industry was enacted in 1969, effective January 1, 1970. The purpose of the law, titled the "California Factory-Built Housing Law," was to encourage affordable housing through mass production. The legislation also required the Commission of Housing and Community Development to establish uniform health and safety standards and inspection procedures

In 1974, the law was amended to add preemptive authority over local ordinances and codes, to require that all subject units and components bear a Department insignia of approval, and to allow cities and counties to assume jurisdictions

The program has been carried out by the Department by promulgating the administrative and construction regulations, approving plans, conducting in-plant inspections, evaluating local agencies for jurisdiction assumption and investigating complaints of consumers and local building officials. In 1984, the law was amended so that the Department may delegate the plan checking and in-plant inspections to Department-approved third-party agencies. Today, all plan approvals and in-plant inspections are performed by Design Approval Agencies and Quality Assurance Agencies approved by the Department.