DENVER, Feb. 10, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has published a Proposed Rule that would clarify the distinctions between park model RVs and manufactured housing. HUD proposed the clarifying language based upon a recommendation from the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) at the request of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC), and the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) which have been actively seeking the clarifying language in the HUD Code for the past 16 months.
“We applaud HUD for working with ARVC and our industry allies at RVIA and RVDA to clarify the language in the HUD code so that federal, state and local authorities will no longer confuse park model RVs with manufactured homes,” said Paul Bambei, ARVC’s president and CEO. “We are also grateful to have had RVIA’s and RVDA’s support on this issue.”
Jeff Sims, ARVC’s director of state relations and program advocacy, said, “HUD’s Proposed Rule would provide a clear definition and distinction between park model RVs and manufactured homes which will be extremely beneficial when working with local officials.”
HUD published a Proposed Rule on Tuesday that clarifies any misconceptions by defining an RV as a unit built on a vehicular structure that is not certified as a manufactured home and that is designed only for recreational use and not as a primary residence or for permanent occupancy. The Proposed Rule further states that an RV should be built and certified by the manufacturer in accordance with either the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1192 or the updated American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard for recreational vehicles, which goes by the code A119.5-15.
HUD also proposes that RVs prominently display on a cabinet or countertop a notice stating that the unit is designed only for recreational use and not as a primary residence or permanent dwelling. HUD is also seeking comments on various issues involving the definition of an RV. Sims said ARVC’s launching of a grass roots letter writing campaign in late 2014 in conjunction with our industry allies helped to move the issue forward for HUD to propose the clarifying language. HUD had previously planned to require porches to be included in the 400 square foot limit on park model RVs, but backed off the proposal after nearly 800 park owners sent approximately 2,700 electronic letters to 335 members of Congress opposing the porch requirement. Park operators and RV industry officials also told Congress that what was really needed was for HUD to clarify the distinctions between park model RVs and manufactured homes.
Based in Denver, Colo., the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC) is the only national trade association exclusively representing the interests of privately owned RV parks, resorts and campgrounds. Membership is comprised of RV park and campground owners and operators, industry suppliers, franchisers and others committed to promoting the growth and welfare of the RV park and campground sector of the outdoor hospitality industry through development and implementation of legislative, regulatory, educational and promotional programs and activities. ARVC is a not-for-profit 501(c)6 organization. Visit www.arvc.org for more information.
