Mobile home tie-downs and anchors
In Wind Zone III, tie-downs are what keep a home on its supports in a hurricane. Have them checked before the season starts.
Tie-downs are the steel straps that connect a mobile home's frame (and on some older homes, the roof) to anchors screwed into the ground. They resist the wind forces that try to slide or lift the home off its piers. Charlotte County is in HUD Wind Zone III, so anchoring matters more here than almost anywhere in the country.
What does Florida require?
Florida's installation rule (15C-1.0104) sets the standards. Diagonal frame ties are required in all wind zones, spaced no more than 5 feet 4 inches apart, with anchors within 2 feet of each end of the home. Each section needs at least four longitudinal anchors and straps at the ends. Multi-section homes need centerline ties, and some homes built before 1994 need over-the-roof ties. Anchors for homes built after July 1994 are rated for a 4,000-pound working load.
What are the signs tie-downs need attention?
- Straps that are slack, rusted or frayed
- Anchor heads that have pulled up or tilted
- Straps disconnected after previous repairs
- Missing ties at the ends or along the sides
- Old over-the-roof straps that are cracked or loose
When should I have them checked?
Lee County Emergency Management recommends checking tie-downs at least once a year, and before hurricane season is the time most owners schedule it. Have them checked again after any storm, flood or re-leveling. Charlotte County ordered residents of mobile and manufactured homes to evacuate during Hurricane Milton in 2024 regardless of zone, so tie-downs protect the home, not the people inside. Always follow evacuation orders.
Do I need a permit for tie-down work?
Charlotte County requires a permit for setting up and tying down a home. The county's application package includes a tie-down permit section for Wind Zone III, with proof the home is designed for Zone III loads and soil testing at several locations. Your installer can handle the application.
What affects the cost?
- Number of anchors and straps to replace or add.
- Home size and type.
- Soil conditions for setting new anchors.
- Permits and testing.
Prices come from the repair company after they've looked at the home. We don't quote prices ourselves, and a phone estimate is only a starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How often should mobile home tie-downs be checked?
Lee County Emergency Management recommends at least once a year. Before hurricane season and after major storms are the most common times.
Will tie-downs make my mobile home safe in a hurricane?
Proper tie-downs help keep the home on its supports, but they don't make it safe to stay in during a hurricane. Charlotte County has ordered mobile home residents to evacuate during hurricanes. Follow official orders.
What is Wind Zone III?
The highest HUD wind zone for manufactured homes, covering 14 Florida counties including Charlotte. Homes there must be designed and anchored for higher wind loads.
Related services
More background: Charlotte County mobile home guide.
Storm season coming or doors starting to stick?
Call now to get tie-downs and leveling checked before the next storm.