MANUFACTURED HOUSING & BUILDING DIVISION RULE CHANGE

The Manufactured Housing & Building Division is in the process of modifying its Rules at Title 4, Chapter 34 of the Arizona Administrative Code to incorporate the regulation of commercial closed panel construction which was introduced in House Bill 2756 passed in May 2019. The Department participated in a combination of public meetings and stakeholder forums and has provided public postings of drat rule changes to solicit feedback from the industry.

Most recently, drafts of the proposed rule changes were posted on the Department’s website on January 2 and February 12, 2020. The Department anticipates that the rulemaking process, including a review by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC), will conclude within the next six months. In addition to adding closed panel construction regulations, the Department has proposed the streamlining and elimination of some existing rules and intends to adopt more current versions of the International Code Council and National Electric Code. Future updates regarding the status of the rule changes will be posted on the Department’s website.

LICENSEE COLLABORATION

On February 5, 2020, the Manufactured Housing & Building Division hosted a collaborative meeting with over 40 representatives from the Department’s installer population and management representatives from Cavco, Champion and Clayton manufacturing plants. The meeting allowed an opportunity for licensees to share information regarding challenges in the field, discuss production related trends and to be informed of the Department’s direction regarding inspection practices. This collaborative meeting set the foundation for future communication among the industry while initiatives are being taken to improve processes and expectations.

Housing Matters | Spring 2020