Manufactured Home Wind Zone Regulations (Texas)

Manufactured homes—also known as mobile homes—are a popular and affordable housing option throughout Texas, especially along the Gulf Coast. But when it comes to buying or selling one, there is one critical factor that is often overlooked: Wind Zone regulations. Understanding wind-zone requirements can prevent legal issues, save thousands in relocation costs, and ensure that the home you’re purchasing or selling is compliant with state and federal safety standards.

Whether you’re a buyer searching the market for a used manufactured home or a homeowner preparing to sell, knowing how Wind Zone certification works is essential. This guide walks you through the regulations, safety requirements, county classifications, HUD standards, and what every buyer or seller needs to know before completing a transaction in Texas.

What Are Wind Zones?

Wind Zones were established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to ensure manufactured homes are built to withstand specific wind speeds depending on geographic risk levels. These zones protect homeowners in areas with a history of hurricanes, tropical storms, and strong wind events.

According to HUD’s Wind Standards (source: https://www.hud.gov), the United States is divided into:

• Wind Zone I – Lowest wind risk

• Wind Zone II – Moderate risk, including coastal areas

• Wind Zone III – Highest risk, primarily hurricane-prone regions (e.g., parts of Florida)

Texas includes both Wind Zone I and Wind Zone II regions, especially in counties along the Gulf of Mexico.

Why Wind Zones Matter in Texas

Texas experiences intense weather patterns, including hurricanes, storm surges, and high-velocity winds along the Gulf Coast. Manufactured homes must meet specific structural standards—such as anchoring, tie-down systems, and frame reinforcement—to remain safe during extreme weather conditions.

Buying or selling a home without the proper wind-zone rating can lead to:

• Failed inspections

• Relocation requirements

• Insurance rejection

• Safety hazards

• Legal liability

This is especially important if you’re selling your home to someone who needs to install it in another county.

Wind Zones When Buying a Used Manufactured Home in Texas

If you’re considering purchasing a used manufactured home—especially in areas near the Gulf Coast—you must confirm that the home has the correct Wind Zone certification for the county where it will be located.

Most counties in Texas fall under Wind Zone I, but several coastal counties are classified as Wind Zone II, requiring higher wind resistance.

Understanding this difference is crucial because:

• A Wind Zone I home can only be placed in a Wind Zone I county.

• A Wind Zone II home can be placed in either a Wind Zone I or Wind Zone II county.

This rule affects both buyers and sellers. If a home is sitting in the wrong Wind Zone, the new owner may need to relocate it—which can cost $6,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on distance and setup.

Internal Resource: How Weather Impacts Manufactured Homes

For additional home-care guidance, you can read:
Winter Heating Tips for Homeowners

This internal resource offers helpful insights into comfort, maintenance, and seasonal home risks.

The Impact on Sellers and Buyers

This information is extremely important for sellers because a mismatch between the home’s wind certification and the county’s designated Wind Zone can derail a sale.

Example:

If you have a Wind Zone 1 manufactured home located in a Wind Zone II county, Texas law requires that the new owner move the home to a Wind Zone I county after purchase.

This is a deal-breaker for many buyers unless they are prepared for relocation costs.

Exploring Real Homeowner Experiences (External Discussion Resource)

For real-life stories and issues shared by homeowners facing hidden manufactured-home problems, you can check discussions like this:
https://www.reddit.com/r/homeowners/comments/1n9azis/whats_the_one_hidden_issue_in_your_home_you_wish/

While Reddit is not authoritative for legal advice, it provides valuable homeowner insight into maintenance and compliance issues.

Understanding Texas Manufactured Home Wind Zone Law

Sec. 121.256. Wind Zone Regulations

(a) Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Camron, Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio, and Willacy counties are in Wind Zone II. All other counties are in Wind Zone 1.

(b) To be installed in a Wind Zone II county, a manufactured home constructed on or after September 1, 1997, must meet the Wind Zone II standards adopted by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(c) A manufactured home constructed before September 1, 1997, may be installed in a Wind Zone I or II county without restriction.

(d) A retailer who sells a manufactured home constructed on or after September 1, 1997 to Wind Zone 1 standards must, before the execution of a mutually binding sales agreement or retail installment sales contract, give the consumer notice that:

(1) the home was not designed or constructed to withstand a hurricane force wind occurring in a Wind Zone II or III area;

(2) installation of the home is not permitted in a Wind Zone II county in this state; and

(3) another state may prohibit installation of the home in a Wind Zone II or III area.

How to Check Your Manufactured Home’s Wind Zone

HUD requires that every manufactured home display a data plate—usually found inside a kitchen cabinet, bedroom closet, or electrical panel. This plate includes:

• Wind Zone Rating

• Roof Load Zone

• Thermal Zone

• Manufacturer Information

You can also check official HUD wind-zone maps here:
https://www.huduser.gov
https://www.fema.gov (for wind hazard regions)

Installation Standards and Anchoring Requirements

Proper installation is just as important as the home’s Wind Zone rating. Manufactured homes in Texas must meet anchoring and tie-down standards based on wind exposure.

HUD and Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) require:

• Correct number of ground anchors

• Proper tension in straps

• Secure blocking systems

• Reinforced piers for higher wind zones

More guidance can be found here:
https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us

Buying or Selling a Manufactured Home in Coastal Regions

If you live in or near any of the following counties, you are in Wind Zone II:

• Aransas

• Brazoria

• Calhoun

• Cameron

• Chambers

• Galveston

• Jefferson

• Kenedy

• Kleberg

• Matagorda

• Nueces

• Orange

• Refugio

• San Patricio

• Willacy

These regions are at higher hurricane risk, which requires specific home durability standards.

Internal Resource: Local Community Guide for Sellers

If you want to understand how specific communities impact value, here’s a locally relevant internal link:
Bear Creek Park Houston — Sell Your Home Fast

This resource offers neighborhood considerations when selling in Houston.

What Sellers Should Do Before Listing

If you plan to sell your manufactured home, perform the following checks:

• Confirm Wind Zone certification

• Review TDHCA and HUD installation requirements

• Check the home’s placement compared to county zoning

• Verify data plate accuracy

• Obtain records of past relocations or modifications

If the home is not in compliance, it may need upgrades, inspections, or relocation before a sale can be completed.

Faster Option: Sell As-Is Without Repairs or Relocation

If the thought of:

• Moving the home

• Finding proper zoning

• Paying for compliance

• Upgrading anchors or tie-down systems

feels overwhelming, you have another option—selling your manufactured home as-is for cash.

Houston Capital Homebuyers purchases manufactured homes in all conditions, including homes with wind-zone compliance complications.

CTA: Get a Fast, Fair Cash Offer Today

If you want to avoid repairs, relocation issues, or expensive compliance upgrades, we can help.

👉 Get a fast cash offer here:
https://houstoncapitalhomebuyers.com/

Have questions?
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