CVR 11-020-002 § 2
DEFINITIONS
Operative Text
The definitions set forth in this Section 2 shall apply to the rules of the Housing Division, Part III, Mobile Home Park Warranty of Habitability. 2.1 "Common Areas and Facilities" means any structures, facilities or areas located inside a mobile home park that are intended for the convenience and/or enjoyment of the residents. Common areas and facilities may include, but are not limited to, common laundry facilities, recreation or community rooms, mailboxes, sidewalks that are not used solely for access to a mobile home on a lot, storage areas, dumpsters or facilities for collection and removal of trash, recyclables, and food scraps, pools and playground areas that are owned and/or controlled by the mobile home park owner. 2.2 "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development for the State of Vermont. 2.3 "Department" means the Department of Housing and Community Development of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development for the State of Vermont. 2.4 " Leaseholder" means a resident lawfully occupying a mobile home owned by the park owner or the owner of a mobile home sited on a mobile home lot in a mobile home park regardless of whether the leaseholder has actual possession of a written lease. 2.5 "Mobile Home Park" means any parcel or contiguous lots of land under common ownership or control on which are sited, or which is designed, laid out or adapted to accommodate, more than two mobile homes. A parcel or contiguous lots owned by agricultural employers providing up to four mobile homes for use by full time workers or employees, and a parcel or contiguous lots used solely on a seasonal basis for vacation or recreational mobile homes shall not be considered a mobile home park. 2.6 "Mobile Home Park Lot" means the area established by the owner of the mobile home park as being the area in which the leaseholder establishes a property right by way of a lease. If no area is established the lot shall be the footprint of the mobile home, including any steps, porches or additions attached to the mobile home. 2.7 "Mobile Home Park Owner(s)" means one or more owners, operators, officers, managing agents, or other persons with practical authority to establish rules, policies, or other requirements of a mobile home park. 2.8 "Potable Water" means water free from impurities in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physiological effects and having bacteriological, chemical, physical, and radiological quality conforming to applicable standards of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. This definition is intended to create a definable standard under which it can be determined if the water in question causes a health or safety problem. Nothing in this definition is intended to require water testing in a mobile home park, except in cases of dispute, when it is not otherwise required to do so by current Water Supply Rules. 2.9 "Premises" means a mobile home park lot and improvements thereon, and any part of a mobile home park. 2.10 “Resident” means any individual, individuals, or family who occupy a mobile home in a mobile home park on a permanent or temporary basis.
Section 2 of CVR 11-020-002 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Vermont's Mobile Home Park Warranty of Habitability rules. Each defined term — such as "Common Areas and Facilities," "Leaseholder," "Mobile Home Park," and "Potable Water" — carries a specific legal meaning that governs how the broader habitability rules are interpreted and applied. For example, the definition of "Leaseholder" makes clear that a resident's rights under these rules do not depend on having a written lease in hand. These definitions set the boundaries of who and what is covered under the warranty of habitability framework.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Mobile home park owners and operators subject to Vermont's habitability rules should be familiar with the definitions in Section 2 of CVR 11-020-002, as these terms shape the scope of their obligations. The broad definition of "Mobile Home Park Owner(s)" means that managing agents and others with practical authority over park operations may also bear responsibility for compliance, not just the titled property owner. Compliant operators generally ensure that all common areas and facilities — as defined in Section 2.1, including laundry rooms, sidewalks, trash facilities, and recreational areas — are maintained in accordance with the habitability standards that follow in Part III.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of Vermont mobile home parks benefit from understanding the definitions in Section 2 of CVR 11-020-002, because these terms determine whether the warranty of habitability protections apply to their situation. Notably, Section 2.4 defines "Leaseholder" broadly enough to include residents who do not have a written lease, meaning the absence of a written agreement does not automatically exclude someone from coverage. Tenants who believe their park owner is failing to maintain common areas, potable water, or other covered elements may consider contacting the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development or a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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