The Brief
- SB 785 requires most Texas cities with zoning to allow new HUD-code manufactured homes by right in at least one zoning district.
- League City changed its ordinance to comply, while Pearland says its existing manufactured-home district already meets the law.
- Housing advocates say other local requirements could still make available land difficult or expensive to use.
HOUSTON – A new Texas law is limiting the ability of cities to exclude manufactured homes, potentially opening another path to affordable homeownership in suburban communities.
New Texas law on manufactured homes
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Senate Bill 785 took effect Sept. 1. It requires municipalities with zoning regulations to allow new HUD-code manufactured homes by right in at least one residential or dedicated manufactured-home zoning district.
“The direct answer that I give is, it just means that cities can’t ban manufactured housing entirely,” said DJ Pendleton, executive director of the Texas Manufactured Housing Association.…