Florida Building Code Construction Requirements

Energy

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Mooney ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Salzman
Last action: 2026-03-13
Official status: House - Died in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
Effective date: 2026-07-01

Plain English Breakdown

The bill died in committee, so it did not become law and does not have an effective date.

Florida Building Code Construction Requirements

This bill requires certain buildings and structures in Florida to use specific materials that can withstand high winds and meet impact resistance standards starting from the next edition of the Florida Building Code.

What This Bill Does

Requires new construction of multi-story residential buildings with dwelling or sleeping units to use wind-resistant materials and meet impact resistance requirements.
Applies similar requirements for new residential buildings within five miles of tidal water in Florida, as well as those located in high-velocity hurricane zones.
Includes buildings designated as emergency shelters during natural emergencies under the same construction standards.
Requires rebuilding of affected structures that were uninhabitable or destroyed by a natural emergency to meet these standards.

Who It Names or Affects

Builders and developers who construct new residential buildings in Florida
Owners of multi-story residential buildings with dwelling units or sleeping units
People living near tidal water or in high-velocity hurricane zones

Terms To Know

natural emergency: A term used to describe situations like hurricanes that require special building standards.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify the exact materials or impact resistance requirements.
It is unclear how existing buildings will be affected by these new requirements.
The bill died in a committee, so it did not become law as of March 13, 2026.

Bill History

2026-03-13 House
• Died in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
2026-01-13 House
• 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
2026-01-12 House
• Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee • Referred to Commerce Committee • Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
2025-12-29 House
• Filed

Official Summary Text

Florida Building Code Construction Requirements; Requires Florida Building Commission to require, beginning with next edition of Florida Building Code, that certain buildings or structures be constructed with specified materials & meet certain impact resistance requirements.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB 911 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb911-00
Page 1 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to Florida Building Code construction 2
requirements; amending s. 553.73, F.S.; requiring the 3
Florida Building Commission to require, beginning with 4
the next edition of the Florida Building Code, that 5
certain buildings or structures be constructed with 6
specified materials and meet certain impact resistant 7
requirements; defining the term "natural emergency"; 8
providing an effective date. 9
10
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 11
12
Section 1. Subsection (21) is added to section 553.73, 13
Florida Statutes, to read: 14
553.73 Florida Building Code.— 15
(21)(a) Beginning with the adoption of the 9th edition of 16
the Florida Building Code, the commission shall require that the 17
entire building envelope of all new construction, including 18
exterior walls and doors, roofs, skylights, glazing, and glass 19
blocks, of the following buildings or structures meet the impact 20
resistant requirements of the Florida Building Code and be 21
constructed with wind-resistant materials designed and built to 22
withstand wind speeds of at least 160 miles per hour: 23
1. R1 and R2 multistory residential occupancies containing 24
dwelling units or sleeping units. 25

HB 911 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb911-00
Page 2 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

2. New residential construction located within 5 miles of 26
the mean high-water line of any tidal water of this state. 27
3. New residential construction located in a high-velocity 28
hurricane zone under the Florida Building Code. 29
4. Buildings or structures designated or used as an 30
emergency shelter during a natural emergency. 31
5. The rebuilding of buildings or structures that meet the 32
criteria in subparagraphs 1.-4. which are uninhabitable or 33
destroyed by a natural emergency. 34
(b) As used in this subsection, the term "natural 35
emergency" has the same meaning as in s. 252.34. 36
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 37