New regulations for recreational vehicles and factory built homes to be updated

The Manitoba government will be modernizing the regulations for manufactured homes and recreational vehicles (RVs), Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen, minister responsible for the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), announced today.

“The manufactured homes and RV industries have changed significantly over the past 40 years, and it is time for us to adapt as well,” said Pedersen.  “We heard this loud and clear in our public consultations.  By updating outdated permit and inspection requirements we are making progress in reducing the administrative burden on individuals and businesses.”

Manufactured homes and RVs are both currently regulated under The Buildings and Mobile Homes Act.  Changes affecting manufactured homes will include updating the definitions and referenced standards under The Building and Mobile Homes Act, and removing the permit and inspection requirements for the sale of used ‘mobile homes’.

“The Canadian Home Builders’ Association and its Modular Construction Council are pleased that the Manitoba government is updating the act and related regulations to recognize that manufactured homes should be treated no differently than site-constructed homes and other factory-constructed homes,” said Adaire Chown, special advisor, codes and standards, Canadian Home Builders Association.  “We look forward to seeing the changes and advising our members.”

“These reforms will create a level playing field between mobile home owners and other home owners who do not require provincial inspections prior to the sale of their home,” said Pedersen.

Recreational vehicles will be administered under a new separate regulation within the proposed technical safety act.  Changes will include recognizing modern definitions and standards for RVs as well as removing the requirement for a dealer to get a permit and have a used RV inspected by a provincial regulator before it can be sold.  RVs include camping trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, motor homes, slide-in campers, travel trailers and park model homes.

The minister noted these changes are part of an ongoing initiative to reduce red tape across government and will take effect in the spring of 2018.