Manufactured housing is convenient, comfortable, and an affordable investment for thousands of Ohio residents. From manufactured housing parks to single units located in country settings, mobile and modular homes have become almost ubiquitous, appealing to young couples starting married life and senior citizens as well.

But a change has occurred that affects the way manufactured homes are installed. Effective July 1, new rules promulgated by the Ohio Manufactured Homes Commission (OMHC) require a three-step inspection process prior to occupancy of new or relocated manufactured housing anywhere in the Buckeye State. In addition, only licensed individuals or companies may install manufactured housing, and they must abide by the “Ohio Manufactured Home Installation Standards.”

Further more, only manufactured housing zoned for installation in Ohio will be permitted.

Because the manufactured housing inspections involve review of wiring, grounding, outlets, breakers, and service connections, Ohio’s rural electric cooperatives have taken a close look at the regulations to see how existing member service policies will be affected.

Co-ops are also helping publicize the new rules.

“We don’t want our members being blind-sided by this,” said Bill Swango, general manager of Adams Rural Electric Cooperative. “These changes received very little media attention. Co-op members need to know how this will affect them.”

In addition to making printed information available in the co-op office, Swango contacted local newspapers to inform their readers about the inspection program.

Other co-ops reacted to the state inspection program by evaluating their new service construction policies. For example, Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative, Rio Grande, Ohio, has under consideration a policy that would eliminate overhead service drops to customer-owned meter poles.

“What we are proposing to the Board of Trustees is similar to the policy being used successfully at Frontier Power Company,” explained Dennis Beard, executive vice president and general manager.

“We are concerned that the inspection program will increase the number of trips our crews have to make to a service location, driving up our costs. The policy revision, if approved, will shift responsibility for facilities. Our ownership will stop at the transformer pole or a nearby pedestal. The consumer will install underground to the disconnect point at the bottom of the meter cabinet.”

Bradley Butters, head of the OMHC’s inspection program, conceded that the relationship between electric co-ops and their consumers will be different when it comes to service involving manufactured or modular housing.

He met with representatives of Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives (OREC) and co-op employees in Columbus recently to discuss the new installation and inspection requirements.

Butters explained that the inspection law, based on state Senate Bill 102, is Ohio’s response to a three-pronged federal mandate contained in the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act.

“The act requires states to establish minimum home installation standards, train and license installers, and create a dispute resolution program,” Butters said.

Senate Bill 102 created the OMHC and its nine-member governing board. The commission promulgated installation standards and the inspection protocols to be used statewide by the three types of authorized inspection agencies: city or county building departments, where such exist; the Ohio Department of Health, responsible for inspections in manufactured housing parks; and a network of approved third-party agencies contracted to the OMHC.

Third-party agency inspectors likely will perform installation approval reviews in most of Ohio’s rural areas where zoning districts or municipal/county building codes don’t exist.

“These are the new players,” Butters said.

Third-party agency contractors will coordinate with licensed installers and utilities to ensure that the inspection process – footing, electrical service, and final – occurs within 72 hours. Certified electrical safety inspectors (ESIs) will perform the electrical review. A general inspector may conduct the final review, but the home must be energized in order for the inspection process to be completed.

No manufactured or modular home may be occupied until a seal is issued by the inspector and affixed to the unit. The OMHC has enforcement and injunctive powers to ensure compliance.

The OMHC estimates 5,000 manufactured housing units will be installed and inspected annually in Ohio: half new and half used. According to Butters, the new requirements and inspections will add $500-$1,000 per unit to the cost of installation.

Steps to permit, install, and inspect manufactured homes in State of Ohio

Here’s the process by which new and used manufactured homes will be permitted, installed, and inspected in Ohio:

• Installation plans must be filed with the appropriate “authority having jurisdiction.” This can be a third-party agency contracted to the OMHC, a building department, or the Ohio Department of Health (mobile home parks). A plan filing and permit fee must be paid. The cost, not regulated by the state, will be at least $300.

• Upon plan approval, the permit to install is issued. The permit lists the licensed installer(s) responsible for the work.

• Installation work begins, according to “Ohio Manufactured Home Installation Standards,” the manufacturer’s manual, or a design by a registered engineer or architect.

• Calls for inspections are made. A minimum of three inspections are required: footing, electrical service, and final. The final inspection is called for when all the work is correct and complete.

• A final inspection seal is issued by the inspector prior to the home being occupied. The seal costs $75.

For more information, visit the OMHC Web site at www.omhc.ohio.gov; write to the OMHC at 5650 Blazer Parkway, Suite 100, Dublin, OH 43017; call (614) 734-8454; or send an e-mail to omhc.director@omhc.state.oh.us.