Emergencies

Does the Mobilehome Parks Act address emergencies?

The California Legislature declares in the Mobilehome Parks Act that residents of parks “…are entitled to live in conditions which assure their health, safety, general welfare, and a decent living environment, and which protect the investment of their manufactured homes and mobilehomes.” To help fulfill these goals, the Legislature added park emergency preparedness requirements in 2009.

What is an emergency?

Emergencies might include earthquakes, home or area fires, earth slides, vehicle or building explosions, violent storms, strong winds, flooding, and other calamities. 

Do parks need to have an emergency contact person that lives in the park?

Park owners must arrange for a contact person in case of emergencies. In parks with more than fifty spaces, the person must live in the park.

Must manufactured home parks have emergency preparedness plans?

The Legislature requires that park managers prepare emergency preparedness plans. As of September 1, 2010, managers must provide notices to existing and new residents. Plans should:

• Identify evacuation routes and order of evacuation;
• Update emergency contact information for residents;
• Pinpoint residents who may require assistance during evacuation;
• Set up methods to provide information to residents during an emergency; and
• Describe training and practice programs for residents.

Plans also should identify the types of disasters that might happen in parks. Evacuation sites must be named in plans. Park managers ought to obtain local emergency contact phone numbers and the emergency broadcast station frequency.

Where can residents obtain emergency numbers?

Park owners must post emergency numbers in a conspicuous place. Emergency numbers include those for the fire department, police or sheriffs’ department, park office, responsible person for operation and maintenance, HCD or the local enforcement agency, nearest fire alarm box, the park location, and the nearest public phone.

Mobilehome Parks Act. 2011. Division 13, Part 2.1. California Health and Safety Code. Section 18250.

California Emergency Management Agency. September 2011. “Emergency Plans for Mobile Home Parks.”

“Mobilehome Parks and Installations.” Title 25, Article 2, of the Code of Regulations. Section 1122.
Copyright - Carl Eric Leivo, Ph.D.
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