Modular/prefab home permits in S.CA..anyone know which counties allow it? (Los Angeles: budget)

[Panks]

I need to find a home for myself and my parents in S. Cal (but not in the same house for the sake of my sanity ) and unfortunately I cannot get anything in a safe area on my budget despite the slump. I found some videos on building homes from cargo/shipping containers on youtube and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to try that...but based on my skills and time limits..its not really an option. I couldn't find any classes or workshops on how to do it either, which is a bummer because I'm feeling just crazy enough to try something totally nutty like this!

I found one company that sells the cargo container homes for $125-165/sq foot as modular homes but thats still way over what I could afford to spend since I'd have to buy the land, hook up water , power etc etc Plus they are so ugly when they are left looking like containers (in my opinion). Although they give you the option of having it sprayed with grafitti for A PRICE! no joke!!

I as wondering if anyone can give me the lowdown on which counties allow prefab homes and which don't? I read that all of CA is supposed to allow them .Laws in California and many other states now allow manufactured homes to be installed in any area which allows conventional single family homes, providing they meet local standards. Covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) adopted after January 1, 1988 in California can’t prohibit manufactured homes as long as they meet the same basic architectural standards as site-built homes.Its hard to believe they'd allow it in Beverly Hills

If anyone can say yey or nay to the counties as far as the zoning, codes, permits etc for modular/prefab homes.. I'd be very grateful since I can't think of any other way to make it work for us .

[EscapeCalifornia]

Have you considered one of the 49 other states?

Its the land that's valuable in any populated area, not the structure. Even if you could build for free, the land will still cost a fortune unless you're in Blythe.

[Panks]

Absolutely! I have spent a solid year checking out Texas and Virginia and Delaware. I have binders full of maps and statistics etc...I even flew out to Dallas and I have a flight to DC scheduled for 2 weeks from today since I was 100% set on moving to VA. Then circumstances changed completely and now I have to think of my parents also. I had absolutely ruled out S.CA a year ago because of the prices and because I wanted something totally new..but now its the ONLY option because its the only place I would have some family support which is critical for me since my parents are older. I think they'd be miserable if I moved them to a place where they don't know anyone and unfortunately they're not the type to take up golf.

Still, its pretty ironic to end up going to the place I had completely ruled out

So do you think I wouldn't be able to get 1/4 acre of undeveloped land in a safe area (but not 200 miles from hospitals and civilization) for under $150?

[EscapeCalifornia]

I'm pretty sure the only undeveloped land you'll find in SoCal is well inland. I guess you could start in a place like Victor Valley or Antelope Valley and keeping heading into the desert until you find your price point.

[Panks]

I just tried a search for land in Los Angeles on realtor.com (but none of the surrounding areas) for up to 100k and it came up with 156 listings. I don't know how nice they are or if they're "buildable" as far as being flat enough etc...but theres certainly a lot to chose from! Now I need to figure out which counties allow prefab homes and the cost etc...

I can understand why ugly container homes wouldn't be allowed but some of the prefabs are really gorgeous. I read that they are built extra-strong because they have to be shipped across country..but I don't know how reliable all the info I am reading on various websites actually is.

[OutOfSoCal]

I know San Bernardino county allows them. I have a customer who sells and installs them

[Panks]

Great info thanks! Do you know his company name? I haven't seen any places out of S.Cal.

There is a place in Santa Rosa that is about an hour from SF that makes them, but they are VERY ugly. I think they're mostly meant for jobsites since they don't need a foundation and you "plug them in" to get electricity to the home..just like a computer!

Do you know if your customer installs them as second units or as the primary home? Hopefully if he has a website, it has pictures. I thought zoning was going to be the main issue but maybe the land is an even bigger issue as Escapecalifornia said.

[TonyT]

Panks:

Check out this website. It is a great source for information about the different types of prefabricated homes that are available, including shipping containers.

fabprefab - modernist prefab dwellings

[OutOfSoCal]

[SIZE=3]Nu Trend Homes[/SIZE]
2222 Frontage Road
Corona, CA 92882-2814
Phone: (951) 340-1299

[Beth56]

Maybe look into the Kern County area. Perhaps around Lake Isabella. They have a small hospital there, but most folks have to drive to Ridgecrest or Bakersfield for most health services. It's about an hour to Bakersfield. They have a lot of retirees from the L.A. area who moved up there.

Here is the MLS for the area:

Listing Preview.com Available Listings