Florida HSMV Form 81404 Mobile Home Installation Decal – Licensed mobile home installers, dealers, and manufacturers in Florida must use HSMV Form 81404, the official Mobile Home Installation Decal Order Form, to purchase the required installation decals for manufactured and mobile homes. These decals are mandatory under Florida law and help ensure proper, code-compliant installations across the state.
What Is Florida HSMV Form 81404?
Form HSMV-81404 is the official order form issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for purchasing mobile/manufactured home installation decals. The current revision is HSMV-81404 (Rev. 01/11).
Beginning October 1, 1996, Florida law has required that every mobile or manufactured home installed in the state display an installation decal issued by the department. Licensed parties order these decals exclusively through this form.
The form is submitted to the Division of Motorist Services, Bureau of Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Construction, at the FLHSMV headquarters in Tallahassee.
Who Needs to Use Form 81404?
Only authorized parties may order and apply installation decals:
- Licensed mobile home installers (license prefix DIH or IH)
- Licensed mobile home dealers (license prefix DH)
- Licensed mobile home manufacturers (license prefix MH)
According to Florida Statutes Section 320.8249 and Rule 15C-2.0073, Florida Administrative Code, only these licensed entities may purchase the decals. Consumers and unlicensed individuals cannot order or apply them. Installation of a mobile home by anyone other than a licensed installer is prohibited.
Dealers and manufacturers who perform installations must also ensure their employee of record has completed the required 8-hour training course and passed the exam.
Legal Requirements for Mobile Home Installation Decals in Florida
Florida Statutes § 320.8249(13) mandates that all installers, dealers, and manufacturers purchase installation decals from the FLHSMV for a fee not to exceed $10 per decal. Key legal requirements include:
- An installation decal must be affixed to the manufactured or mobile home prior to installation.
- The decal must show the date of installation, the name of the installer, and the installer, dealer, or manufacturer license number.
- The decal must be positioned immediately next to the HUD label (or, for pre-HUD homes or when the HUD seal is missing, on the lower left corner at the taillight end of the home).
- One decal is required for each home.
- Decals are non-transferable.
- Each installer must maintain a location log for every decal for two years (once the department provides an approved format).
Installation decals are not required for homes temporarily displayed for sale at a licensed dealer location or trade show.
Local building permits are still required for the setup of mobile homes and park trailers, obtained through the county building department.
How to Complete and Submit Florida Form 81404
The form is straightforward. Licensed parties complete the following information:
- Date of the order
- Number of mobile home installation decals requested (minimum of five)
- Total fee enclosed ($10.00 per decal)
- Name, address, city/state, and phone number of the ordering party
- Installer license number (DIH or IH) or dealer/manufacturer license number (DH or MH)
- Certification that the decals will be applied as required under Section 320.8249, Florida Statutes, and acknowledgment that they are non-transferable
- Signature of the licensed mobile home dealer, installer, or manufacturer
- If different from the primary signer, a second signature from the person who attended the 8-hour training class and passed the exam
Payment must be made by check payable to DHSMV (Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles). Submit the completed form and payment by mail to:
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Division of Motorist Services
2900 Apalachee Parkway, Mail Stop 66
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0640
The form instructs users not to separate the original and copy. The department assigns sequential numbers to the decals and returns them to the licensed party.
Fees for Mobile Home Installation Decals
Each installation decal costs $10.00. Orders require a minimum of five decals. Payment is made by check payable to DHSMV and must accompany the completed Form 81404.
Unused decals returned to the bureau by the original purchaser may be eligible for a refund upon written request. No refunds are issued for lost or damaged decals.
Where to Affix the Installation Decal?
Proper placement is required for compliance and final inspection by local authorities:
- Affix the decal adjacent to the HUD label on the mobile/manufactured home.
- If the home is a pre-HUD model or the HUD seal has been removed or concealed, place the installation decal on the lower left corner at the taillight end of the home.
Many Florida counties note during permitting that a Florida DHSMV Mobile Home Installation Decal must be present and properly affixed for final inspection.
Download the Official Florida HSMV Form 81404
Download the current official Mobile Home Installation Decal Order Form (HSMV-81404) directly from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:
Download Florida HSMV Form 81404 – Mobile Home Installation Decal Order Form (PDF)
The form is also listed on the official FLHSMV Forms page under Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home, and Vessel forms.
Related Forms and Resources
Licensed parties may also need these related FLHSMV forms:
- HSMV 81401 – Manufactured/Mobile Home Installer License Application
- HSMV 81402 – Installer Performance Bond
- HSMV 81406 – Application/Affidavit for Duplicate Mobile Home Installer License
- HSMV 81407 – Affidavit for Replacement of Lost Mobile Home Installer Decals
For additional guidance, visit the official FLHSMV Mobile Home Installer resources and review Florida Statutes Section 320.8249 and Rule 15C-2, Florida Administrative Code.
Frequently Asked Questions About Form 81404 and Installation Decals
Can a homeowner install their own mobile home?
No. Only licensed mobile home installers may set up a mobile or manufactured home in Florida.
Are installation decals required for display homes at a dealership?
No. Decals are not required for homes temporarily displayed for sale at a licensed dealer location or trade show.
What happens if a home is installed without a proper installation decal?
The installation does not meet state requirements. Local building departments typically require the decal to be present and correctly placed before approving final inspection.
How long must installers keep records of decals?
Each installer must maintain a location log for every decal for two years after the department provides an approved format.
Where can I find the most current version of Form 81404?
Always download the latest version directly from the official FLHSMV website to ensure you are using the correct revision.
Conclusion
Florida HSMV Form 81404 is the essential document that licensed installers, dealers, and manufacturers use to order the installation decals required for every mobile and manufactured home set up in the state. Compliance with the form, the $10-per-decal fee, proper placement next to the HUD label, and the underlying statutes protects consumers and ensures installations meet Florida’s safety and regulatory standards.