CALL US: 562-661-5013

HCD Provider #ED1618575
HCD Instructor #IN1632813

Dec 14 / Yvette Hitchens

Park Manager Training Program: California’s New Requirement (What to Do Before the Deadline)

California’s Park Manager Training Program is here—what does it mean?

California’s Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) created the Park Manager Training Program (PMTP) to ensure each park has at least one trained/certified manager, based on SB 869 and implementing regulations. 


If you’re a park owner, operator, or manager, this isn’t optional—PMTP is becoming a normal part of doing business in the state.

Who needs to comply?

In practical terms: each park must ensure at least one person acting in an onsite or offsite managerial capacity is trained and passes an exam.


The deadline and time requirement (bookmark this)

HCD’s materials state:

  • Initial training: 6–8 hours plus an exam

  • Compliance deadline: by May 1, 2026, or within 1 year of a new manager’s hire date (whichever is later)

  • Continuing requirement: 2–4 hours + exam every 2 years thereafter 


Fees (and when they start)

HCD’s PMTP FAQ explains:

  • Starting May 1, 2025, parks are required to pay a $350 Certificate of Compliance or Exemption Issuance fee, assessed when permit-to-operate fees are collected. 


Proof: certificates must be posted

Once a manager completes training (or qualifies for an exemption), HCD issues a Certificate of Compliance or Certificate of Exemption, and it must be posted in a conspicuous location within the park.


How to prepare (a simple action plan)

  1. Decide who your “compliance manager” will be (onsite or offsite).

  2. Build PMTP into hiring/onboarding (treat it like fair housing training—standard, tracked, documented).

  3. Set a recurring calendar reminder for the 2-year continuing training cycle. 

  4. Create a compliance binder (digital + physical):

    • Certificate copy

    • Training completion record

    • Exam pass confirmation

    • Policy notes for staff (parking, notices, rule enforcement, resident communication)

  5. Check HCD-approved provider listings as they become available. 


Pro tip: use PMTP as a “culture upgrade,” not just a requirement

The best-run parks use training moments to tighten:

  • rule enforcement consistency,

  • resident communication,

  • documentation habits,

  • vendor & maintenance workflows,

  • fair, calm conflict resolution.


If you manage a community—or support parks as a salesperson, broker, or vendor—The MH Trainer publishes California-focused manufactured housing education designed to be practical, current, and easy to apply.