Updated Building Codes
Florida, Broward County and City of Fort Lauderdale
Building a new home or other structure, or making repairs or additions to an existing structure, is a process that has many requirements. The Florida Building Code lays our these requirements for structure, energy conservation, fuel line installations, plumbing, mechanical, test protocols, accessibility and more. Each of the requirements must be satisfied and inspected. Being located in South Florida means that Fort Lauderdale property owners need to follow additional regulations. In 2012, Broward County made amendments to the 2010 Florida Building Code to address concerns related to hurricanes, our low elevation, sustainability and other issues. (These enforce the amended 1970 Dade County Edition of the South Florida Building Code.) The South Florida Building Code and the Florida Building Code serve as the foundation of decisions made by the building officials, inspectors and code enforcers in the City of Fort Lauderdale. There are also a number of municipal ordinances, such as those related to stormwater drainage, waste and landscaping, which should be followed to ensure the most sustainable building possible.
When implementing green building ideas, it is important to note that all code requirements supersede green building recommendations. If you have questions about planned changes to your property, our Department of Sustainable Development Building Services can answer them.
More Information
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation - Florida Building Codes Online
Through this website you can search or order a copy of the code. You can also review drafts of upcoming changes to the Code. Their Frequently Asked Questions section is a good place to get started. You can also go directly to the Florida Building Codes document webpage to get copies of existing and proposed codes.
South Florida Building Code, Broward County Amendments
This is the actual code document containing amendments effective in 2012. An explanation of the various amendments with formal interpretation is helpful to understand the specific changes related to various building systems. You may also be interested in the history of the South Florida Building Code.
Use Municode to access the Fort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances