What do variances for local bodies provide?

Variances for local bodies serve as exceptions to the established local regulatory compliance requirements. When a local agency identifies that adherence to a specific code or regulation may create an undue hardship or stifle innovation, they may grant a variance. This allows developers or homeowners to deviate from certain requirements while still ensuring that the overall intent of the regulation is met, often related to safety, aesthetics, or zoning laws.

This process is crucial in the context of manufactured housing, where flexibility is necessary to accommodate unique situations or innovative building practices that do not fit neatly within the existing framework. By providing this leeway, local bodies can support variations in construction that may enhance the livability, affordability, and design of housing options.

While opportunities for innovation are important, they typically stem from the ability to request variances rather than being a direct outcome of the variances themselves. Similarly, variances do not inherently provide increased funding for housing projects or temporary housing assistance; those aspects are usually governed by different policies and programs.