Polk County Mobile Home Owner's Guide (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so confirm with the agency listed before you start work.

Quick reference

Topic	What to know
Installer license	Florida requires anyone who installs (sets up) a mobile home to hold a mobile home installer license from the FLHSMV (Florida Statutes s. 320.8249).
Setup permits	Set-up permits are required and are applied for at the local county building department.
Components	Installation components, such as anchors, must be state-certified.
Repairs	Repairs and remodeling must use material and design equivalent to the original construction (Florida Admin. Code 15C-2.0081).
Wind zone	Polk County is HUD Wind Zone II. Coastal counties such as Pinellas, Sarasota, Lee, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade are Wind Zone III.
Electrical	Installers may connect electrical crossovers on multi-section homes; other electrical work requires a licensed electrician.

How do I check a company's license?

Ask for the company's FLHSMV mobile home installer license number and confirm it with the FLHSMV before work that involves leveling, blocking or anchoring. Ask for proof of insurance and a written estimate, and check whether your community has its own contractor rules.

What does HUD Wind Zone II mean?

Manufactured homes are built to one of three HUD wind zones. Zone II homes are designed for higher winds than Zone I and are required in much of inland Florida, including Polk County. A home's wind zone is shown on its data plate, usually inside a kitchen cabinet or near the main electrical panel. When you replace or add anchors, the anchoring should match the home's zone and the installation instructions.

What happened in Polk County during Hurricane Milton?

According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Milton brought peak gusts of 80 to 90 mph across Polk County in October 2024, with a maximum of 87 mph at Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport. Rainfall reached 10 to 15 inches over western parts of the county and 5 to 10 inches elsewhere, with an isolated maximum of 16.55 inches. Lakeland Linder International Airport set a one-day record of 8.93 inches. Twenty shelters opened in the county.

Why does the ground move under homes here?

Most settling under mobile homes is ordinary: sandy soil washes from under pads, water pools under the home, or pads were set on loose fill. Polk County also sits on older limestone that dissolves over time and forms cavities, which is why the county is known for sinkholes and why many of its lakes began as sinkholes. True sinkholes are uncommon, but if you see a sudden depression in the yard, cracks that appear quickly or a pier that drops, keep clear and call the county.

Storm-season checklist

Have tie-downs inspected and re-tensioned before hurricane season
Replace rusted straps and loose or pulled anchors
Secure skirting, steps, carports and sheds
Clear gutters and direct downspouts away from the home
Photograph the home, including underneath, for insurance
After a storm, check doors, windows and floors for new signs of shifting

Buying or selling a mobile home

Before buying, have the underside inspected: piers, pads, shims, tie-downs, underbelly and plumbing. Check the data plate for the wind zone and the home's age. Sellers can avoid surprises by having the same inspection done first.

Common questions

Who can level or anchor a mobile home in Florida?

Florida requires anyone who installs a mobile home to hold an installer license from the FLHSMV, and leveling and anchoring are part of setup work. Ask for the license number before work starts.

What wind zone is Polk County in?

Polk County is HUD Wind Zone II. Coastal counties such as Pinellas, Sarasota and Lee are Wind Zone III.

Where do I find my home's wind zone?

On the home's data plate, which is usually inside a kitchen cabinet, a bedroom closet or near the main electrical panel.

Polk County mobile home owner's guide (2026)