Florida HVHZ roofing basics for homeowners
Last updated · Codes, permits & licensing
Short answer: Florida's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) covers Miami-Dade and Broward counties, where the Florida Building Code sets its strictest roofing rules. Roofing products there need approval for HVHZ use, installation follows dedicated HVHZ code sections, and inspections are detailed. Statewide, reroofs on many homes must also include wind mitigation steps.[1]
What is Florida's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone?
Florida's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone is the part of the state the Florida Building Code treats as most exposed to hurricane winds: Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The code has separate HVHZ sections in its roof assemblies chapter that cover roofing materials, underlayment, fastening, and testing in more detail than the rest of the state.[1] Builders and roofers in those counties follow the HVHZ sections in place of the general roofing rules.
How are roofing products approved in the HVHZ?
Roofing products in the HVHZ must be approved for high-velocity use before they can be installed. Florida runs a statewide product approval system through the Florida Building Commission, and approvals note whether a product is rated for HVHZ use.[2] Miami-Dade County also issues Notices of Acceptance (NOAs) for products that pass its testing protocols.[4] Your roofer should be able to give you the approval number for the shingles, tile, underlayment, and other components on your job.
What installation rules are stricter in the HVHZ?
Installation rules that are stricter in the HVHZ include tighter fastening schedules for decking and roof coverings, specific underlayment methods, and testing requirements for tile adhesive and mechanical attachment. Tile roofs, common in South Florida, follow detailed rules on how tiles are set with foam adhesive or fasteners. These requirements are spelled out in the code and in each product's approval, and the permit inspector checks them in the field.[1]
What does Florida law require when you reroof?
Florida law requires wind mitigation steps on many reroofs, not only in the HVHZ. Florida Statutes 553.844 directs the Florida Building Code to include requirements for roof replacements on existing homes, such as improved roof deck attachment and a secondary water barrier, along with roof-to-wall connections on some higher-value homes.[3] The exact rules depend on the home and when it was built, so ask your roofer which steps apply to your house and how they are priced.
How does Florida's 25 percent rule work now?
Florida's 25 percent rule once required replacing an entire roof section when more than 25 percent was repaired or replaced within a year. State law changed in 2022 so that if the existing roof was built to the 2007 Florida Building Code or later, only the damaged portion needs to meet current code. Our Florida 25 percent rule guide explains how it applies.
Do Florida roofers need a license?
Florida roofers need a state license. Roofing contractors are certified (statewide) or registered (local) through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Construction Industry Licensing Board. Check the license on the DBPR's online search before signing, and make sure the name matches the contract. Our contractor licensing page has lookup links.
What can affect your insurance in Florida?
In Florida, roof age and wind mitigation features often affect homeowners insurance. Many insurers offer credits for features documented on a wind mitigation inspection form, such as roof deck attachment and secondary water barriers. Credits and eligibility vary by company, so ask your agent which features they recognize before you choose upgrades. Only your insurer decides your premium and coverage.
What should a Florida reroof bid include?
A Florida reroof bid should include the product approval numbers for major materials, the deck nailing schedule, the secondary water barrier method, the underlayment, flashing, and drip edge, and who pulls the permit. In the HVHZ, it should refer to HVHZ installation requirements and any tile adhesive testing. Ask for a copy of the final inspection approval and keep it with your wind mitigation paperwork.
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Frequently asked questions
Which Florida counties are in the HVHZ?
Miami-Dade and Broward counties make up the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone under the Florida Building Code.
What is a Miami-Dade NOA?
A Notice of Acceptance is Miami-Dade County's product approval for building products that passed its testing protocols.
Will a new roof lower my Florida insurance premium?
It may, depending on your insurer and the features documented. Ask your agent which wind mitigation features earn credits.
Sources
- 2023 Florida Building Code, Building, Chapter 15: Roof Assemblies. codes.iccsafe.org/content/FLBC2023P1/chapter-15-roof-assemblies-and-rooftop-stru
- Florida Building Commission: Product Approval. www.floridabuilding.org/pr/pr_default.aspx
- Fla. Stat. 553.844 (roof code compliance). www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0500-0599%2F
- Miami-Dade County: Building. www.miamidade.gov/global/economy/building/home.page
Sources checked November 4, 2026. Estimates are not quotes. Roofing, insurance, and legal details vary. Confirm with your contractor, insurer, or attorney.