Many buyers find a mobile home they truly like, only to realize that the location may not work long term. In those situations, a common question comes up. Can the mobile home be moved to another mobile home park or even to private land? This scenario comes up weekly when buyers review mobile home listings with The Mobile Home Dealer.
Although the word “mobile” suggests flexibility, the reality is more complex. Understanding how mobile a mobile home actually is requires looking at Florida regulations, the age of the home, and the cost and feasibility of moving it.
Sarasota, a Gulf Coast city near Tampa Bay, continues to attract new residents because of its beaches, cultural scene, and growing business environment. As more people relocate to the area, interest in mobile homes naturally increases. However, relocation plans should always account for the fact that most mobile homes stay exactly where they are.
How Mobile Homes Are Classified in Florida
Mobile homes located on leased land in Florida are titled as automobiles rather than real estate. Even so, the classification can be misleading. While they technically have axles and wheels attached, many homes in mobile home parks along the Gulf Coast have never been moved since they were first delivered decades ago.
If you look closely at a typical mobile home, you will notice skirting around the base. Behind that skirting are plumbing lines, HVAC components, and the original wheels and axles. While those parts still exist, they do not mean the home can easily be transported.
Because of this, buyers should never assume a mobile home can be moved simply because it was designed that way decades ago.
What the Mobile Home Tear-Down Process Looks Like
If you have never seen a mobile home prepared for transport, the process can be surprising. Tear-down crews must remove the skirting, secure appliances, disconnect utilities, and prepare the structure for transport.
Single-wide homes are loaded onto specialized trucks that resemble compact semi-trailers. Double-wide homes require even more work. These homes are split down the middle and transported in two separate sections before being reassembled at the new site.
While the process is impressive, it is also expensive, time-consuming, and heavily regulated.
County and State Restrictions on Moving Mobile Homes
Florida has strict rules regarding which mobile homes may be moved. In most cases, a mobile home must be 20 years old or newer to be legally transported across county lines. Permits must be obtained by licensed mobile home movers, not homeowners.
This creates a major limitation in Sarasota and surrounding Gulf Coast areas. Many mobile homes in these parks were built in the mid-1970s through the early 1980s. Based on age alone, most of these homes are not eligible to be moved.
Even when a home meets the age requirement, counties still reserve the right to deny entry to older or poorly maintained units.
Inspection Requirements Before a Mobile Home Can Be Moved
Before a mobile home can be moved in Sarasota, it must be inspected by a qualified professional. This includes a state-licensed mobile home dealer, a state-certified contractor, or a state-registered contractor who meets the Sarasota County Construction Industry Licensing Board requirements.
If the inspector identifies issues but determines the home is repairable, additional steps may be required. These can include repair permits, upgrades, and compliance with current standards for tie-downs, piers, and bracing.
After the home is moved and installed at the new site, it must pass another county inspection before it can be legally occupied.
Why Most Mobile Homes Never Move
At first glance, it may seem logical that removing the skirting and loading the home onto a truck would be enough. In reality, the legal, financial, and structural hurdles make relocation impractical for most owners.
Between age restrictions, permit requirements, inspections, and setup costs, moving a mobile home often exceeds the value of the home itself. As a result, many buyers discover that where the home currently sits is likely where it will remain permanently.
For this reason, it is critical to like both the home and the location before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are mobile homes actually mobile?
Technically yes, but in practice most are not moved after initial installation.
Can any mobile home be moved in Florida?
No, most must be 20 years old or newer to qualify.
Who is allowed to move a mobile home?
Only licensed and permitted mobile home movers.
Do counties allow older mobile homes?
Counties may deny entry to older or poorly maintained homes.
Is an inspection required before moving?
Yes, Sarasota requires inspection by a qualified professional.
What happens if repairs are needed?
Repair permits and upgrades may be required before approval.
Can double-wide homes be moved?
Yes, but they must be split and transported in two sections.
Is moving a mobile home expensive?
Yes, costs often exceed what buyers expect.
Can a mobile home be moved to private land?
Only if zoning and permits allow mobile homes on that land.
Should buyers plan to move a mobile home later?
Generally no, buyers should assume the home will stay put.
Bottom Line
The term “mobile home” can be misleading. While these homes were designed to be transported, Florida regulations and age limits make relocation unrealistic in most cases. In Sarasota, the majority of mobile homes simply cannot be moved due to their age and condition.
Because of this, buyers should always evaluate the location just as carefully as the home itself. In many cases, the smartest approach is to assume that where the home sits today is where it will stay for the rest of its life.