Florida Building Code, Permit and License Information
Florida Building Code Agency
2601 Blair Stone Rd
Tallahassee, FL 32399
What Florida Building Code Editions Are Adopted:
- 2023 Florida Building Code – Test Protocols for High Velocity Hurricane Zone, Eighth Edition
- 2023 Florida Building Code – Accessibility, Eighth Edition
- 2023 Florida Building Code – Building, Eighth Edition
- 2023 Florida Building Code – Energy Conservation, Eighth Edition
- 2023 Florida Building Code – Plumbing, Eighth Edition
- 2023 Florida Building Code – Mechanical, Eighth Edition
- 2023 Florida Building Code – Fuel Gas, Eighth Edition
- 2023 Florida Building Code – Existing Building, Eighth Edition
- 2023 Florida Building Code – Residential, Eighth Edition
- 2020 National Electric Code (NEC) effective 12/31/2023
- State Energy Code 2021 IECC and 90.1-2019 with amendments
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Life Safety Code 2018
The International Green Construction Code is voluntary for cities and counties and is an option of state owned, leased, operated and financed buildings.
The International Property Maintenance Code is voluntary for cities and counties.
Applicability (statewide, local, limited): STATEWIDE
State code must be enforced in local jurisdictions.
See Additional Statewide List of Building Codes here.
| State Website | https://www.myflorida.com/ |
| State Licensing | Contractor licensing is required by the State of Florida. |
| State Licensing Division | https://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/cilb/ |
| State Environmental Permit | https://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/info/permitting.htm |
Additional Building Codes by State
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
2025 FLORIDA BUILDING CODE UPDATES
The 2025 Florida Building Code introduces significant changes that impact commercial construction across the state. Key updates include enhanced hurricane resistance standards, updated energy efficiency requirements, and new accessibility provisions that go beyond federal ADA requirements.
Commercial property owners and contractors must now comply with stricter wind load requirements in High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ), updated fire safety systems for high-rise buildings, and revised electrical codes that impact retail and restaurant tenant improvements.
FLORIDA PERMIT PROCESSING BY REGION
- South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach): Average 4-6 weeks
- Central Florida (Orange, Hillsborough, Pinellas): Average 3-5 weeks
- North Florida (Duval, Leon, Alachua): Average 2-4 weeks
- Southwest Florida (Lee, Collier, Sarasota): Average 3-4 weeks
FLORIDA-SPECIFIC LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Florida requires specific licensing for various construction trades that differ from other states. General contractors must hold either a Certified General Contractor (CGC) license for unlimited scope or a Certified Building Contractor (CBC) license for specific building types. Specialty contractors need individual trade licenses, and all must maintain continuing education requirements unique to Florida’s building environment.
HURRICANE CODE COMPLIANCE
Florida’s unique hurricane exposure requires additional considerations not found in other states. The Florida Building Code mandates impact-resistant windows and doors in certain zones, special roof attachment requirements, and backup power provisions for essential facilities. Our permit expediting team ensures all hurricane-related code requirements are properly addressed in your permit applications.