Cutaway of manufactured home. Permits

Is my home a manufactured or mobile home?

Use our Find Labels page to find out if your home is a manufactured or mobile home that requires permits and inspections for alterations by L&I.

Are you remodeling or repairing your manufactured home? Depending on the work you are doing you may need a permit. Use the information on this page to help you determine if you need a permit, how to purchase one, and requesting an inspection for the work you have done.

If you are buying a permit for the first time or are unsure which permit to get, read on.

Code of federal regulation

Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (CFR 3280)
Manufactured Home Procedural and Enforcement Regulations (CFR 3282)

Check to see if you need a permit

Simply checking the list for which alterations require permits tab (above) could save you time and money. You may not need a permit for the type of work you're doing. Or, you may need a different kind of permit, especially if your project includes electrical work.

Find out about electrical permits

If the electrical work takes place outside your home, you need an electrical permit. If the electrical work takes place inside your home, you need a manufactured/mobile home permit.

Check plan submittal requirements before you buy a permit

Some alterations require you to submit plans for approval when you buy a permit. Find out if your project needs to submit plans.

Learn about inspections if you refinance or sell your home

You might need a Homeowner Requested Inspection (HRI). An HRI is often needed to disclose unpermitted work before you refinance or sell your manufactured or mobile home.

Find out how much a permit and inspection will cost

View the current permit and inspection fees in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC 296-150M-3000).

Processing time to receive your permit:

Online: Immediately
In person at a service location: Immediately
Postal mail: Same day as received

***Attention***

Before you apply for a manufactured home permit, here’s what you need to know:

  1. Homeowner requested inspections (HRIs) are non-refundable once an inspector visits your permit site.
    HRIs are only designed to help a manufactured home purchaser determine what permits they need or verify that a nearby structure is self-supporting before the sale or purchase.
    HRIs cannot be used to approve alterations.
    If you’re not sure if an HRI permit is what you need, please contact the FAS inspector in your region. 
  1. All refund requests must be made within 60 days of purchasing the permit
    (Supervisors may override in special cases for extenuating circumstances.) 
  1. We cannot issue a refund if:
  • An inspector visited your permit site, or
  • Work was abandoned, transferred, or not complete. 
  1. All approved refund requests are subject to a processing fee.

Homeowners: Buy a permit online.

Contractors

Other ways to buy a permit

Next

See Do the Work tab.

Contact us 

FAS1@Lni.wa.gov
1-800-705-1411 Option 3

Mailing address
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
PO Box 44430
Olympia, WA 98504-4430

Location
7273 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater, WA 98501

Do the Work

Now that you have your permit, you can start working. Download a pre-inspection checklist to help guide your work, and prepare for inspection. Also, remember to post your permit near your front door or worksite.

Get a pre-inspection checklist/project brochure, if available

Post your permit near your front door or work site.

Do the permitted work

Follow the pre-inspection checklist if you have one. If you are not qualified to do the work yourself, hire a contractor. Hire smart. L&I can help.

Protect My Manufactured Home when hiring a contractor.

Next

See Inspection tab.

Contact us 

FAS1@lni.wa.gov
1-800-705-1411 Option 3

Mailing address
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
PO Box 44430
Olympia, WA 98504-4430

Location
7273 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater, WA 98501

Inspections

Online

To request an inspection online, have your permit number and authorization code.

By phone

To request an inspection by phone, call your local L&I office.

In person

Go to the L&I office nearest you. Bring your permit number with you.

After you've made your request, your inspector will call you to schedule the inspection.

How are the inspections scheduled?

Your inspector is responsible for a very large area of the state and must schedule for maximum efficiency. The inspector personally contacts each customer by phone to confirm the time, based on a carefully planned weekly schedule.

Our goal is to inspect within 10 days of your request, though sometimes it can take longer. We appreciate your patience.

Check the status of your inspection

The easiest way to check the status of your inspection is to look up your permit in the Permit Search tool. You will need your permit number. Be sure to select Manufactured/Mobile Home, not electrical, for your permit.

Next

See Extra Fees and Refunds tab.

Contact us

FAS1@Lni.wa.gov
1-800-705-1411 Option 3

Mailing address
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
PO Box 44430
Olympia, WA 98504-4430

Location
7273 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater, WA 98501

Extra Fees & Refunds

Check to see if you owe any extra fees for your permit. The easiest way to check for extra fees is to enter your permit number into the Permit Search tool.

Remember: Select Manufactured/Mobile Home for your permit type (instead of electrical). This ensures the correct information appears.

Pay extra fees

You may use a credit card to pay extra fees in Permit Search. Or, go to the L&I office nearest you.

How much are the fees?

View the current permit fees (WAC 296-150M-3000).

Request a refund

If you are entitled to a refund, download and complete the Permit Refund Request Form (F621-105-000).

Contact us 

FAS1@lni.wa.gov
1-800-705-1411 Option 3

Mailing address
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
PO Box 44430
Olympia, WA 98504-4430

Location
7273 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater, WA 98501

Which Alterations Require Permits

Homeowners and contractors: L&I makes sure that changes (alterations) to manufactured/mobile homes meet safety standards. You must get a permit before starting an alteration.

Important!

Before you apply for a manufactured home permit, here’s what you need to know:

  1. Homeowner requested inspections (HRIs) are non-refundable once an inspector visits your permit site.
    1. HRIs are only designed to help a manufactured home purchaser determine what permits they need or verify that a nearby structure is self-supporting before the sale or purchase.
    2. HRIs cannot be used to approve alterations. If you’re not sure if an HRI permit is what you need, please contact the FAS inspector in your region.
  2. All refund requests must be made within 60 days of purchasing the permit.
    (Supervisors may override in special cases for extenuating circumstances).
  3. We cannot issue a refund if:
    1. An inspector visited your permit site, or
    2. Work was abandoned, cancelled, transferred, or not complete. 
  4. All approved refund requests are subject to a processing fee.

Does your alteration require a permit and inspection?

Select the item below, and if YES appears in the Required? column, the item requires a permit and inspection.

If YES, then go on to the next step to buy your permit: Buy a permit online

Processing time to receive your permit:

Online: Immediately
In person at a service location: Temporarily unavailable
Postal mail: 2-3 business days for processing + mailing time

All other alteration applications, allow 2-3 weeks for a response. Accuracy and completeness speeds up the processing time.

Appliances

Structural changes

Water, electric, gas, plumbing

Pellet or wood stove, fireplace

Appliances

Air conditioners/heat pumps

Alterations Required?
New installation YES
Replacement YES
Reconnection after moving home YES
Repair NO
Adjustment and/or maintenance NO
Download Air Conditioner/Heat Pump Pre-Inspection Checklist (F622-014-000)

Clothes washer

Alterations Required?
New installation (pre-plumbed and wired) NO
Replacement NO
Repair and approved parts NO
Adjustment and/or maintenance NO

Clothes dryer (electric)

Alterations Required?
New installation (pre-wired electrical) NO
Replacement NO
Repair with approved parts NO
Adjustment and/or maintenance NO
Replacement with gas clothes dryer when modifications to electrical or gas systems are performed YES

Clothes dryer (gas)

Alterations Required?
New installation (pre-plumbed gas)* NO
Replacement* NO
Repair with approved parts NO
Adjustment and/or maintenance NO
Replacement with electric clothes dryer when modifications to electrical or gas systems are performed YES
*Homes with fuel burning appliances must be equipped with listed carbon monoxide detectors​.

Dishwasher

Alterations Required?
New installation YES
Replacement of cord connect NO
Replacement of direct wiring YES
Repair NO
Adjustment and/or maintenance NO

Microwave (over range)

Alterations Required?
New installation when electrical system modifications are performed YES
Replacement NO
Repair NO
Adjustment and/or maintenance NO
Microwave oven (Countertop) NO

Range/oven alterations

Alterations Required?
Replacement (cord connected) NO
Replacement (direct wired) YES
New gas installation* YES
Replace gas appliance with no change in the gas line* NO
Replace electric with gas appliance(s)* YES
Replace gas with electric appliance(s)* YES
Repair with approved parts NO
Adjustment and/or maintenance NO
Download Electric/Gas Conversion Pre-Inspection Checklist (F622-013-000)
*Homes with fuel burning appliances must be equipped with listed carbon monoxide detectors​.​

Structural changes

Structural alteration permits must be purchased at your local L&I office.

Doors (interior or exterior)

Alterations Required? May require plan
review
Additional door(s) YES YES
Replacing a door that fits into the same opening NO NO

Earthquake-resistant bracing structure

Alterations Required?
Earthquake resistant bracing systems are not an alteration to a home NA
Licensed contractors need to install them NA
A certified installer must be on site when they are installed NA
The local building department must inspect the installation NA

Interior alterations

Alterations Required?
Painting, wallpapering and similar work NO
Replacement or additions of curtains, drapes, blinds, window shades and other window coverings NO
Replacement of carpeting and other floor covering materials with similar materials NO

Painting and siding

Alteration Required?
Painting the exterior NO
Replacement of siding YES
Bottom Board - Repair of normal deterioration NO

Roofing

Alteration Required? May require plan review
Reroofing YES YES
Applying liquid or mastic roof sealant to a metal roof NO NO
Repair of damaged composition shingles NO NO
Download Alteration Re-roofing Permits for Low Slope Roof Checklist (F622-039-000).

Structural changes/interior remodeling

Alterations Required? May require plan
review
Adding a dormer YES YES
Truss repairs YES YES
Add opening in wall YES YES
Add gypsum board to walls or ceilings YES YES
Repair or replace floor decking or joists YES YES
Self-supporting decks and awnings NO NO
Solar panels YES YES

Windows

Alterations Required? May require plan
review
Replacement in same opening with no structural changes* NO NO
Replacement when structural changes are required YES YES
Replacement of glass NO NO
*Windows in bedrooms must be of egress type - -

Water, Electric, Gas, Plumbing

Electrical

Alteration Required
Replacing main electrical panel YES
Adding circuits YES
Extending existing circuit(s) YES
Replacing lighting fixtures* NO
Replacing circuit breakers/fuses NO
Replacing switches, receptacles, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes and glass or plastic shades NO
Repairing bath exhaust fans NO
Repairing fans in kitchen range hoods NO
*Fixtures must be installed per their listing and intended use.

Furnace alterations (electric or gas)

Alteration Required?
New installation* YES
Replacement* YES
Repair NO
Adjustment and/or maintenance NO
Replace electric furnace with gas furnace* YES
Replace gas furnace with electric furnace YES
Change from LP gas to natural gas or from natural gas to LP gas per its listing* NO
Download Electric/Gas Conversion Pre-Inspection Checklist (F622-013-000)
*Homes with fuel burning appliances must be equipped with listed carbon monoxide detectors​.​

Gas lines

Alteration Required?
New installation* YES
Extend existing gas line* YES
Repair YES
Download Steel or Wrought-Iron Gas Line Pre-Inspection Checklist (F622-044-000)
*Homes with fuel burning appliances must be equipped with listed carbon monoxide detectors​.​

Plumbing

Alteration Required?
Adding plumbing fixtures* YES
Repairing damage* YES
Replacing fixtures** YES
Repairing fixtures* NO
Replacement/repair of shower doors and curtains NO
Download Alteration Polybutylene Re-pipe Pre-inspection Checklist (F622-053-000)
*Fixtures must be installed per their listing and intended use.
**A permit is not required for replacing a sink or toilets with a like fixture so long as there are no changes to the water or drain lines

Water heater (electric)

Alterations Required?
Replacement with electric water heater YES
Repair NO
Adjustment and/or maintenance NO
Replacement with gas water heater* YES
*Homes with fuel burning appliances must be equipped with listed carbon monoxide detectors​.​

Water heater (gas)

Alterations Required?
Replacement with gas water heater* YES
Repair NO
Change from LP gas to natural gas or natural gas to LP gas per its listing* NO
Adjustment and/or maintenance NO
Replacement with electric water heater YES
Download Steel or Wrought-Iron Gas Line Pre-Inspection Checklist (F622-044-000)
*Homes with fuel burning appliances must be equipped with listed carbon monoxide detectors​.​

Pellet or wood stove, fireplace

Pellet stove

Alteration Required?
New installation* YES
Replacement* YES
Repair NO
Adjustment and/or maintenance NO
Download Wood/Pellet Stove/Fireplace Pre-Inspection Checklist (F622-015-000)
*Homes with fuel burning appliances must be equipped with listed carbon monoxide detectors​.​

Wood stove, or fireplace

Alteration Required?
New installation* YES
Replacement* YES
Repair NO
Adjustment and/or maintenance NO
Download Wood/Pellet Stove/Fireplace Pre-Inspection Checklist (F622-015-000)
*Homes with fuel burning appliances must be equipped with listed carbon monoxide detectors​.​

Contact us 

FAS1@lni.wa.gov1-800-705-1411 Option 3

Mailing address
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
PO Box 44430
Olympia, WA 98504-4430

Location
7273 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater, WA 98501