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Delaware Statewide Rule

Delaware Manufactured Home Installation Act Governs Factory-Built Tiny Homes

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Delaware (2026)

Key Facts

Statute
Title 24, Chapter 44
Installer
Must be Board-licensed
Inspections
2 to 5 before occupancy
Size threshold
8x40 ft or 400 sq ft
Emergency exception
Up to 6 months
Last verified: July 31, 2026

Summary

A factory-built tiny or manufactured home used as a permanent Delaware dwelling must be set by a state-licensed installer and pass 2 to 5 inspections before anyone moves in. The Board of Manufactured Home Installation licenses installers and certifies the inspectors statewide.

Every manufactured home installed in Delaware must be installed by a manufactured home installer licensed by the Board pursuant to this chapter. ... All manufactured home installations shall be inspected pursuant to this chapter, by an employee or contractor of an authorized inspection agency who has been certified by the Board as a manufactured home installation inspector.

Full Breakdown

The Manufactured Home Installation Act (Title 24, Chapter 44) governs installation of manufactured homes "wherever situated in the State of Delaware," covering single-section, multiple-section, and expandable factory-built dwellings meant for permanent, year-round living. A qualifying manufactured home is a factory-built single-family dwelling at least 8 feet wide and 40 feet long, or with 400-plus square feet erected on site, built to federal HUD construction standards after June 15, 1976. Every unit must be set by a Board-licensed installer following the manufacturer's instructions or NCSBCS/ANSI 225.1, then inspected by a Board-certified inspector before occupancy. Counties may grant an emergency exception of up to six months when a dwelling is damaged or destroyed.

Violations & Penalties

Installing a manufactured or factory-built home without a Board-licensed installer, or occupying it before the required certified inspections are completed, violates the Installation Act; unlicensed installers and uncertified inspectors are barred from performing the work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install a tiny manufactured home myself in Delaware?
No. Every manufactured home installed in Delaware must be set by an installer licensed by the Board of Manufactured Home Installation, working to HUD rules and the manufacturer's written instructions.
How many inspections does a manufactured home need?
Between 2 and 5 inspections, done by a Board-certified inspector before the owner takes occupancy, whether the home is new or previously owned.

Sources

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