Manufactured homes are a type of prefabricated housing that is largely constructed in factories and then transported to a site where it is placed on a permanent or semi-permanent foundation. Unlike traditional homes built entirely on-site, manufactured homes are designed with mobility in mind, though most often they end up permanently placed. This category of housing is recognized for its efficiency in construction, affordability, and increasingly, for the variety of designs and amenities it offers.
These homes are defined by specific construction and safety standards, particularly those outlined in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Code, which was established in 1976. This code sets federal standards for the design, construction, and installation of manufactured homes to ensure quality, durability, and safety.
The HUD Code not only marks a significant regulatory framework for manufactured homes but also distinguishes them from other types of prefab houses, like modular homes, which are subject to local and state building codes similar to site-built homes.
Taken from ~ What is a Manufactured Home?