Florida building codes

The Florida Building Code applies to: ". . . the construction, erection, alteration, modification, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every public and private building, structure.” 101.4.2

Prior to 1992, Florida did not have a statewide building code. Hurricane Andrew (August 1992) caused about $16 billion in insured damage and revealed a statewide problem: Florida had an outdated system of locally administered building codes, codes compliance, and enforcement. The Florida Building Codes Study Commission was created to review the existing system and to make suggestions for improvement. Based on the weaknesses revealed during the sixteen months of study, the need for a single, statewide code was firmly established. The Florida Building Code was created by regulation (HB 4181) in 1998 and took effect in March of 2001.

The Florida Building Code is updated every three years and supersedes all local codes. Local amendments are only acceptable if they exceed existing requirements. This unified code serves as the sole document whose purpose is to incorporate all building standards adopted by all enforcement agencies and state agencies that license different types of facilities