Occupational LicensesGeneral Requirements
Section § 18045
This law makes it illegal to operate as a licensed business or individual in the state without having a valid license or temporary permit issued by the relevant department. You cannot operate if your license or permit has been canceled, suspended, revoked, expired, or if you haven’t met the conditions of a penalty agreement under Section 18064.5.
Section § 18045.5
This law states that the department will not give a license to manufacturers, distributors, or dealers unless they have an established place of business. Dealers and distributors must have an office in California, while manufacturers need a designated manufacturing area on the same property, as per department rules.
Any office in a residential building must be on the ground floor with a separate entrance from outside and be used only by the licensee. Additionally, the business locations must be accessible for inspections of records and premises during business hours. If records are kept somewhere other than the main business location, that place must also be open for inspection during normal hours.
Section § 18045.6
This law outlines the obligations of manufacturers, distributors, and dealers of manufactured homes and mobile homes regarding their business locations. If they change their business location, they must inform the department immediately. If they stop operating from their established business location, they should notify the department and may need to return their license and records. Licenses can be put on inactive status for up to six months.
Dealers must also notify the department about any franchise changes or cancellations for selling manufactured or mobile homes. Each dealer's business location must display licenses visibly to the public.
Dealers are allowed to display manufactured homes or mobile homes at fairs or exhibitions, but these displays do not count as official business locations. Homes can also be displayed and sold within mobile home parks, but only with the purpose of selling the displayed homes, and these too cannot serve as official business locations unless licensed.
Additionally, all home displays must include signage with the dealer's information, and certain office requirements do not apply to fair or exhibition displays unless they are licensed as official business locations.
Section § 18045.8
This law allows the department to issue a temporary permit for a dealer's office at their business location. If a dealer applicant meets all licensing requirements except for having an office and plans to buy a mobile structure like a manufactured home for it, they can get this permit.
However, if they don't buy the structure or fail to set up a proper office within 60 days, the permit will be automatically canceled.
Section § 18046
This law explains who qualifies as an 'agent' and 'seller' when it comes to selling manufactured homes or mobilehomes. An 'agent' can be a licensed dealer or salesperson, or a real estate broker or salesperson. A 'seller' is the lawful owner of the home being sold.
When a licensed real estate broker or salesperson is involved in selling a used manufactured or mobile home, they must follow specific rules under the Civil Code. This includes conducting a careful visual inspection of the home and revealing any significant issues that could affect the home's value or desirability to a potential buyer.
If a transfer disclosure statement is needed, the dealer or salesperson must complete their portion of it. If not, they must provide the buyer with parts of the statement if it isn’t exempt from rules about property disclosures.
Section § 18046.1
This law states that a dealer must take care of their customers in ways that any careful and knowledgeable dealer would. The level of care is determined by what a dealer with the proper education, experience, and testing needed for a license would know and do.