Minn. Stat. § 327 § 327.31
DEFINITIONS.
Operative Text
Subdivision 1.Terms. Unless clearly indicated otherwise by the context, the terms defined by this section have the meanings given them. Subd. 2.Authorized representative. "Authorized representative" means any person, firm or corporation, or employee thereof, approved or hired by the commissioner of labor and industry to perform inspection services. Subd. 3.Manufactured Home Building Code. "Manufactured Home Building Code" means, for manufactured homes manufactured after July 1, 1972, and prior to June 15, 1976, the standards code promulgated by the American National Standards Institute and identified as ANSI A119.1, including all revisions thereof in effect on May 21, 1971, or the provisions of the National Fire Protection Association and identified as NFPA 501B, and further revisions adopted by the commissioner of labor and industry. "Manufactured Home Building Code" means, for manufactured homes constructed after June 14, 1976, the manufactured home construction and safety standards promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development which are in effect at the time of the manufactured home's manufacture. Subd. 4.Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of labor and industry. Subd. 5.Dealer. "Dealer" means any person engaged in the sale, leasing, or distribution of a manufactured home primarily to persons who purchase or lease for other than resale. Subd. 6.Manufactured home. "Manufactured home" has the meaning provided in Code of Federal Regulations, title 24, section 3280.2. Subd. 6a.Individual. "Individual" means a human being. Subd. 7.Person. "Person" means any individual, limited liability company, corporation, partnership, incorporated or unincorporated association, sole proprietorship, joint stock company, or any other legal or commercial entity. Subd. 8.Seal. "Seal" means a device or insignia issued by the commissioner to be displayed on the manufactured home to evidence compliance with the Manufactured Home Building Code. Subd. 9.Support system. "Support system" means any foundation system or other structural method used for the purpose of supporting a manufactured home at the site of occupancy. Subd. 10.Anchoring system. "Anchoring system" means any method used for the purpose of securing the manufactured home to a foundation system or the ground. Subd. 11.Manufactured home installer. "Manufactured home installer" means any person, firm, or corporation that installs or repairs a manufactured home for others at the site of occupancy. Subd. 12.Installation seal. "Installation seal" means a device or insignia issued by the commissioner to a manufactured home installer to be displayed on the manufactured home to evidence compliance with the commissioner's rules pertaining to manufactured home installations. Subd. 13.Label. "Label" means the approved form of certification required by the secretary or its agents to be affixed to each transportable section of each manufactured home manufactured for sale, after June 14, 1976, to a purchaser in the United States. Subd. 14.Manufacturer. "Manufacturer" means any person engaged in manufacturing or assembling manufactured homes, including any person engaged in importing manufactured homes for sale. Subd. 15.Purchaser. "Purchaser" means the first individual purchasing a manufactured home in good faith for purposes other than resale. Subd. 16.Distributor. "Distributor" means any person engaged in the sale and distribution of manufactured homes for resale. Subd. 17.Installation. "Installation" of a manufactured home means installation or reinstallation, at the site of occupancy, of all portions of a manufactured home, connection of the manufactured home to existing utility connections and installation of support and/or anchoring systems. Subd. 18.Secretary. "Secretary" means the secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development or the head of any successor agency with responsibility for enforcement of federal laws relating to manufactured homes. Subd. 19.Manufactured home accessory structure. "Manufactured home accessory structure" means a factory built building or structure which is an addition or supplement to a manufactured home and, when installed, becomes a part of the manufactured home. Subd. 20.Foundation system. "Foundation system" means a permanent foundation constructed in conformance with the State Building Code. Subd. 21.Used manufactured home. "Used manufactured home" means a home being offered for sale not less than 24 months after the first purchaser took legal ownership or possession of the home. Subd. 22.Seller. "Seller" means either the homeowner, manufactured home retailer or dealer, broker, or limited dealer or retailer. Subd. 23.Modular home. For the purposes of this section, "modular home" means a one- or two-family dwelling constructed in accordance with applicable standards adopted in Minnesota Rules, chapter 1360 or 1361, and attached to a foundation designed to the State Building Code.
Minn. Stat. § 327.31 establishes the foundational vocabulary for Minnesota's manufactured home regulatory framework. Each defined term — from "manufactured home" and "dealer" to "anchoring system" and "installation seal" — carries a specific legal meaning that governs how the rest of Chapter 327 is interpreted and applied. The definitions also distinguish between homes built under pre-1976 ANSI/NFPA standards and those built after June 14, 1976, which fall under federal HUD construction and safety standards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators and managers of manufactured home communities in Minnesota should be familiar with the precise definitions set out in § 327.31, since terms like "manufactured home installer," "support system," and "anchoring system" carry specific meanings that shape compliance obligations throughout Chapter 327. For example, understanding the distinction between a "foundation system" (a permanent structure conforming to the State Building Code) and a general "support system" can affect how site improvements and installations are evaluated by the commissioner of labor and industry. Compliant operators generally ensure that any installer they engage holds the appropriate installation seal as defined under Subd. 12.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of manufactured homes in Minnesota benefit from knowing that § 327.31 defines the key terms — such as "manufactured home," "installation," and "installation seal" — that underpin the protections and standards found throughout Chapter 327. If a dispute arises over whether a home was properly installed or whether a structure qualifies as a manufactured home accessory structure under Subd. 19, these definitions establish the baseline for any regulatory or legal analysis. Tenants who believe applicable standards have not been met may consult a tenant-rights organization or contact the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, which oversees the commissioner referenced throughout § 327.31.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
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