Building codes throughout Florida have undergone significant changes, particularly to High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZs), namely Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
In these areas, as of 2007, the laws governing construction of roofs are very thorough and highly specific. The goal is to ensure standard materials.
To get an idea of just how extensive the codes are, see this page on Hurricane from Miami-Dade County’s Building Permits section.
In all, the state of Florida codes address hundreds of details for sloped and flat residential roofs. Everything from requirements on synthetic felt underlayment, precise spacing for fasteners, disallowing staples, taping over all joints in sheathing and retrofitting whenever possible. To top it all off, inspections before, during and after roof construction are deemed prudent and necessary.
Did you know? Roofing contractors have to be licensed, bonded, insured, and have a worker’s compensation coverage in order to do roofing work in the state of Florida. A prospective contractor has to pass a test to get the state license. A contractor also has to get a county license in the counties they will be working in.
