This page Includes excerpts from the MODULE™ Developer Playbook. In sharing this excerpt, we aim to demystify the differences in offsite construction and promote its adoption to meet the ever-growing housing demand across the country.
FAQ: What’s different about the regulatory process?
Zoning
Modular homes must adhere to the same zoning laws as site-built homes. Since they are constructed to meet the International Residential Code, most cities permit modular homes within their jurisdiction. However, it's important to research and confirm what is permissible in your zoning area early in the planning process.
Inspections & Permitting
Unlike manufactured housing, there is no nationally accepted separate code for offsite construction. Instead, builds must adhere to the traditional International Residential Code (IRC), with each state having its own additional rules and regulations.
A key difference is that state inspections are conducted for all work completed by the factory, in addition to the required city inspections.
The specific inspections that occur at the factory (state) versus on-site (city or county) depend on the regulations of the state, county, and city where the project is located. The factory usually manages the state permitting process, ensuring compliance with state code requirements.
Navigating the permitting process for modular homes can be complex due to varying state and local regulations. The ICC NTA jurisdictions map offers insights into the specific requirements for each state.
And the Building Energy Codes Program (BECP) tracks energy codes at the state level and provides state specific energy code resources, such as fact sheets, cost-effectiveness analyses, compliance reports, and primary contact information. View the interactive map on their website.
The following diagram compares site-built construction inspections vs. offsite
construction inspections for a project in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
You can see that the main difference is that the framing, envelope, rough plumbing, and rough electrical inspections are all done in the factory.
And that factories must submit a Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Manual to third-party agencies to achieve certification as manufacturers. A Quality Control (QC) manager oversees adherence to the QA/QC manual by conducting regular quality checks and inspections along the factory line. This process ensures a streamlined and efficient manufacturing workflow, maintaining high standards of quality throughout production.
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