Can a park model or travel trailer be rented for continuous occupancy?

The association explains that an RV, as defined by Health and Safety Code section 18010, is designed for recreational, emergency, or other occupancy, and the word "other" has been read to allow continuous occupancy as far as state law is concerned, though a park or local government may have rules to the contrary. A park model or trailer under section 18009.3 is limited to recreational or seasonal use only.

What does the park manager training program cover?

The initial course runs 6 hours online and has been formally approved by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Completing it ensures a mobilehome park or RV park has at least one certified and properly trained park manager, as state regulations require. It is open to members and non-members.

What is the WMA Foundation?

The WMA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization associated with the association that provides disaster relief to residents of manufactured home communities.

Can WMA dues be handled when selling a community?

The association suggests that an owner selling a mobilehome community with a current WMA membership on that property consider taking a credit in escrow for the dues.

Associations

Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association

The Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association (WMA) is a California nonprofit created in 1945 to promote and protect the interests of owners, operators, and developers of manufactured home communities in the state. Its members are largely mobilehome park owners, along with suppliers of industry goods and services.

Advocacy is the core of the work. WMA's lobbyists monitor and work on legislation affecting the industry each year, with a member legislative committee setting the association's positions and helping draft sponsored measures. The association also represents community owners before the California Public Utilities Commission on electric, gas, and water matters, including submeter discounts and master-meter transfers, maintains a working relationship with the Department of Housing and Community Development, and litigates through the Committee to Save Property Rights.

Member services include a park manager training program approved by HCD, whose initial 6-hour course is offered online to members and non-members and satisfies the state requirement that each mobilehome or RV park have a certified trained manager. Members also get a manager accreditation program with continuing education, low-cost landlord-tenant forms, a legal hotline, industry referrals, resident screening services, group insurance discounts, and trade publications including the WMA Reporter. An annual Convention & Expo is open to members and exhibitors.

The association's office is at 2295 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 240, Sacramento. The related WMA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity providing disaster relief to residents.

Best for

California mobilehome and RV community owners, operators, and developers who need Sacramento and CPUC advocacy, HCD-compliant manager training, and landlord-tenant forms. California only.

What they do

Legislative advocacy before the California Legislature
Representation before the California Public Utilities Commission
Regulatory liaison with the Department of Housing and Community Development
HCD-approved park manager training program
Manager accreditation and continuing education
Low-cost landlord-tenant forms
Legal hotline and industry referrals
Resident screening services
Group insurance discount programs
Annual Convention & Expo
Trade publications including the WMA Reporter

Details

Attribute	Value
Founded	1945
Ownership	Nonprofit

What stands out

A nonprofit created in 1945 for the purpose of promoting and protecting owners, operators, and developers of California manufactured home communities.
Members collectively own, operate, and control over 194,000 mobilehome spaces in California.
Has over 1600 member parks located in all 58 counties of California.
The park manager training program is approved by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, with an initial 6-hour online course open to members and non-members.
Describes itself as the only industry organization retaining utility experts to represent community owners before the CPUC.

Common questions

Can a park model or travel trailer be rented for continuous occupancy?: The association explains that an RV, as defined by Health and Safety Code section 18010, is designed for recreational, emergency, or other occupancy, and the word "other" has been read to allow continuous occupancy as far as state law is concerned, though a park or local government may have rules to the contrary. A park model or trailer under section 18009.3 is limited to recreational or seasonal use only.
What does the park manager training program cover?: The initial course runs 6 hours online and has been formally approved by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Completing it ensures a mobilehome park or RV park has at least one certified and properly trained park manager, as state regulations require. It is open to members and non-members.
What is the WMA Foundation?: The WMA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization associated with the association that provides disaster relief to residents of manufactured home communities.
Can WMA dues be handled when selling a community?: The association suggests that an owner selling a mobilehome community with a current WMA membership on that property consider taking a credit in escrow for the dues.