Buyer Guide/
ANSI A119.5 Park Model RV Standard

Standard

ANSI A119.5 Park Model RV Standard

ANSI A119.5
US
Voluntary
RV Industry Association (RVIA), as an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved standard

ANSI A119.5 is the construction standard for park model recreational vehicles (park model RVs). A park model RV is a small unit built on one chassis, on wheels, for recreational, camping, or seasonal use. The manufacturer certifies that the unit meets the standard.

Covers construction and manufacturer certification of park model RVs (400 sq. ft. or less set up) for recreational use; does not cover zoning, full-time living, site work, utilities, financing, insurance, or road transport.

Applies to

Park Models

Who checks it

The manufacturer certifies the unit. If the maker is an RV Industry Association (RVIA) member, it must put the RVIA seal on every park model RV, and RVIA inspectors make unannounced visits to member plants to check compliance.

When it matters

When you compare park models, and before you buy. It tells you the unit is built and certified as a recreational vehicle, not a HUD-code manufactured home. Federal rules say it is designed only for recreational use, not as a primary residence or for permanent occupancy.

What this establishes

  • The manufacturer certifies the unit meets ANSI A119.5 construction requirements for park model RVs.
  • It is classed as a recreational vehicle. HUD exempts it from the federal manufactured home code when the federal conditions are met.
  • RVIA's definition limits a park model RV to 400 sq. ft. or less in setup mode.
  • For RVIA members, the unit carries the RVIA seal and the plant is subject to RVIA compliance audits.

What it does not establish

  • It does not give permission to place the unit on a lot or live in it full time. Local zoning, park rules, and permits decide that.
  • It does not make the unit a primary residence or a HUD-code manufactured home.
  • It does not cover your site: foundation or setup, utility hookups, or permits.
  • It does not settle financing, insurance, or whether the unit can be moved on public roads.

How to verify it yourself

  1. Look for the RVIA seal. RVIA says every park model RV built by a member manufacturer must display it.
  2. For a park model sold under the HUD exemption, look for the bold MANUFACTURER'S NOTICE in the kitchen. It states the unit is for recreational use only and built to ANSI A119.5. You must receive it before the sale is complete.

Your next step

Ask your city or county planning and zoning office whether a park model RV can be placed on your site, and for how long it can be occupied.

Take the next step

United States

Federal status. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) runs the federal manufactured home code. HUD rules exempt recreational vehicles from that code. A unit counts as a recreational vehicle if it is not certified as a manufactured home, is designed only for recreational use and not as a primary residence or for permanent occupancy, and is built and certified to NFPA 1192 or ANSI A119.5 (or is self-propelled).

Manufacturer's Notice. For a park model RV certified to ANSI A119.5-15, HUD requires a written Manufacturer's Notice. It must be given to the buyer before the sale is complete and shown in the kitchen until then. It says the unit is a park model RV designed only for recreational use.

Size. RVIA defines a park model RV as having a gross trailer area of no more than 400 sq. ft. in setup mode.

Why the level is "Voluntary." ANSI A119.5 is an industry consensus standard. RVIA requires it of its member manufacturers, and HUD uses it to define which units are exempt. It is not a building code, and it does not by itself decide where a unit may go.

Local rules. Where a park model RV may be placed, and whether anyone may live in it full time, depends on local zoning, RV park or campground rules, and permits.

Canada

Questions to ask

No items found.

Confirm requirements for your property

Confirm with your local building and planning department.

Explore property questions

Sources

Edition:

RVIA lists the 2025 edition of ANSI A119.5 as its adopted standard. HUD's exemption rule cites the 2015 edition. Editions change; confirm the edition a unit was built to with the manufacturer or RVIA.

Last reviewed

October 26, 2026