(a) All new manufactured homes shall be installed by a licensed installer and in accordance with the home manufacturer's DAPIA-approved installation instructions.
(b) All used manufactured homes shall be installed by a licensed installer to resist overturning and lateral movement of the home, and the installation must be completed in accordance with instructions appropriate for the Wind Zone where the home is to be installed as per one of the following:
  (1) the home manufacturer's DAPIA-approved installation instructions;
  (2) the state's generic standards set forth in §§80.22, 80.23, 80.24, and 80.25 of this subchapter (relating to Installation Standards and Device Approvals);
  (3) the instructions for a stabilization system registered with the Department in accordance with §80.26 of this subchapter (relating to Registration of Stabilizing Components and Systems); or
  (4) the instructions for a special stabilization system which:
    (A) may or may not be a permanent foundation;
    (B) is for a particular manufactured home or an identified class of manufactured homes to be installed at a particular area with similar soil properties according to county soil survey or other geotechnical reports; and
    (C) is either:
      (i) a pre-existing foundation for which a professional engineer or architect licensed in Texas has issued written approval for the installation of a particular home, and the written approval shall be submitted to the Department with the installation report; or
      (ii) installed in accordance with a custom designed stabilization system drawing that is stamped by a Texas licensed professional engineer or architect. A copy of the stabilization system drawing must be forwarded to the Department along with the installation report.
(c) When a home is installed on a stabilization system registered with the Department or a special stabilization system, the installer must follow the home manufacturer's DAPIA-approved installation instructions for any aspect of the installation that is not covered by the system's installation instructions or drawings.
(d) The installer must use stabilizing components that have the required capacity and install them according to the anchor or stabilizing component manufacturer's current installation instructions. All stabilizing components must be resistant to all effects of weathering including that encountered along the Texas gulf coast. Anchors must be made resistant to corrosion. Nonconcrete stabilizing components and systems for use within 1500 feet of the coastline shall be specifically certified for this use. Preservative treated (PT) wood components shall conform to the applicable standards issued by the American Wood Preserver's Association and referenced by the latest edition of the International Residential Code. The use of re-conditioned equipment (i.e. anchor, strap, and clip) or any anchoring component by licensed installer on the new installations is not permitted. Homeowners are exempt from this requirement provided the integrity of the component is acceptable and approved by the state and the original product number, vendor name, and/or patent number must be legible on the product.
(e) Site Preparation Responsibilities and Requirements:
  (1) The responsible installer of a new manufactured home is responsible for the proper preparation of the site where the manufactured home will be installed.
  (2) A consumer acquiring a used manufactured home to be installed is responsible for the proper preparation of the site where the manufactured home will be installed except as set forth in §80.22 of this chapter (relating to Generic Standards for Moisture and Ground Vapor Controls).
  (3) Whenever a licensed retailer intends to sell a used manufactured home, regardless of where it is located or is to be located, the retailer is required to give the consumer the Site Preparation Notice, for signature by the consumer, in the form set forth on the Department's website PRIOR to the execution of any binding sales agreement.
  (4) Whenever a licensed installer proposes to move a used manufactured home, the installer is required to give the consumer the Site Preparation Notice, for signature by the consumer, in the form set forth on the Department's website PRIOR to entering into a binding agreement to move that home.
(f) If at the time of installation or within 90 days thereafter as stated on the contract, the retailer or installer provides the materials for skirting or contracts for the installation of skirting, the retailer or installer is responsible for installing any required moisture and ground vapor control measures in accordance with the home installation instructions, specifications of a registered stabilization system, or the generic standards and shall provide for the proper cross ventilation of the crawl space. If the consumer contracts with a person other than the retailer or installer for the skirting, the consumer is responsible for installing the moisture and ground vapor control measures and for providing for the proper cross ventilation of the crawl space.
(g) Clearance: If the manufactured home is installed according to the state's generic standards, a minimum clearance of 18 inches between the ground and the bottom of the floor joists must be maintained. In addition, the installer shall be responsible for installing the home with sufficient clearance between the I-Beams and the ground so that after the crossover duct prescribed by the manufacturer is properly installed it will not be in contact with the ground. Refer to §80.25 of this chapter (relating to Generic Standards for Multi-Section Connections Standards) for additional requirements for utility connections. The Installer must remove all debris, sod, tree stumps and other organic materials from all areas where footings are to be located.
(h) Drainage: The Installer is responsible for proper site drainage where a new manufactured home is to be installed. The consumer is responsible for proper site drainage where a used manufactured home is to be installed unless the home is installed in a rental community. Drainage prevents water build-up under the home. Water build-up may cause shifting or settling of the foundation, dampness in the home, damage to siding and bottom board, buckling of walls and floors, delamination of floor decking and problems with the operation of windows and doors.
(i) Frost Line Zone.
  (1) The following Texas counties have a 12 inch frost line depth to consider for the installation of a new manufactured home: Armstrong, Bailey, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Collingsworth, Cottle, Crosby, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Donley, Floyd, Foard, Gray, Hale, Hall, Hansford, Hardeman, Hartley, Hemphill, Hockley, Hutchinson, King, Knox, Lamb, Lipscomb, Lubbock, Moore, Motley, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, Wheeler, and Wilbarger.
  (2) For a new home to be installed in a Frost Line Zone county, footings placed in freezing climates must be designed using methods and practices that prevent the effects of frost heave by one of the following methods:
    (A) Conventional footings. Conventional footings must be placed below the frost line depth for the site unless an insulated foundation or monolithic slab is used (refer to 24 CFR §3285.312(b)(2) and (3)).
    (B) This is not subject to the provisions in 24 CFR §3285.2(c) that also require review by the manufacturer and approval by its DAPIA for any variations to the manufacturer's installation instructions for support and anchoring.
    (C) Monolithic slab systems. A monolithic slab is permitted above the frost line when all relevant site-specific conditions, including soil characteristics, site preparation, ventilation, and insulative properties of the under floor enclosure, are considered and anchorage requirements are accommodated as set out in 24 CFR §3285.401. The monolithic slab system must be designed by a licensed professional engineer or registered architect:
      (i) In accordance with acceptable engineering practice to prevent the effects of frost heave; or
      (ii) In accordance with SEI/ASCE 32-01 as defined in 24 CFR §3285.4.
    (D) Insulated foundations. An insulated foundation is permitted above the frost line, when all relevant site-specific conditions, including soil characteristics, site preparation, ventilation, and insulative properties of the under floor enclosure, are considered, and the foundation is designed by a licensed professional engineer or registered architect:
      (i) In accordance with acceptable engineering practice to prevent the effects of frost heave; or
      (ii) In accordance with SEI/ASCE 32-01 as defined in 24 CFR §3285.4.
(j) Electrical testing. At the time of installation, the following tests must be performed on all new manufactured homes:
  (1) All site installed or shipped loose fixtures shall be subjected to a polarity test to determine that the connections have been properly made;
  (2) All grounding and bonding conductors installed or connected during the home installation shall be tested for continuity; and
  (3) All electrical lights, equipment, ground fault circuit interrupters and appliances shall be subjected to an operational test to demonstrate that all equipment is connected and functioning properly.

Source Note: The provisions of this §80.21 adopted to be effective January 29, 2008, 32 TexReg 8790; amended to be effective July 21, 2009, 34 TexReg 3254; amended to be effective November 6, 2011, 36 TexReg 6724; amended to be effective December 25, 2012, 37 TexReg 8507; amended to be effective January 7, 2020, 44 TexReg 6870