The State of Florida first mandated statewide building codes during the 1970s at the beginning of the modern construction boom. The first law required all municipalities and counties to adopt and enforce one of the four state-recognized model codes known as the "state minimum building codes."

During the early 1990s a series of natural disasters, together with the increasing complexity of building construction regulation in vastly changed markets, led to a comprehensive review of the Florida building code system. The study revealed that Florida building code adoption and enforcement was inconsistent throughout the state and those local codes thought to be the strongest proved inadequate when tested by major hurricane events. The consequences of the building codes system failure were devastation to lives and economies and a statewide insurance crisis. The response was a reform of the Florida building construction regulatory system that placed emphasis on uniformity and accountability.

The 1998 Florida Legislature amended Chapter 553, Florida Statutes, Building Construction Standards, to create a single State of Florida building code that is enforced by local governments. As of March 1, 2002, the Florida Building Code supersedes all local building codes which are developed and maintained by the Florida Building Commission. It is updated every three years and be amended annually to incorporate interpretations and clarifications.

2004 Florida Building Codes - Building - Table of Contents:

• Chapter 1: Administration
• Chapter 2: Definitions
• Chapter 3: Occupancy Classification
• Chapter 4: Special Occupancy
• Chapter 5: General Building Limitations
• Chapter 6: Construction Types
• Chapter 7: Fire Resistant Materials and Construction
• Chapter 8: Interior Finishes
• Chapter 9: Fire Protection Systems
• Chapter 10: Means of Egress
• Chapter 11 Part A: Florida Accessibility Code for Building Construction
  • Part B: Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines
  • Part C: Request for Waiver from Accessibility Requirements
• Chapter 12: Interior Environment
• Chapter 13: Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction
• Subchapter 1: Administration and Enforcement
• Subchapter 2: Definitions
• Subchapter 3: Referenced Standards and Organizations
• Subchapter 4: Commercial Building Compliance Methods
• Subchapter 6: Residential Building Compliance Methods
• Appendix A: Jurisdictional Data
• Appendix B: Supplemental Information for Subchapter 4
• Appendix C: Supplemental Information for Subchapter 6
• Appendix D: Code Compliance Forms
• Appendix E: Florida Standards
• Chapter 14: Exterior Wall Covering
• Chapter 15: Roofs and Roof Structures
• Chapter 16: Structural Loads
• Chapter 17: Structural Tests and Inspections
• Chapter 18: Foundations and Retaining Walls
• Chapter 19: Concrete
• Chapter 20: Light Metal Alloys
• Chapter 21: Masonry
• Chapter 22: Steel
• Chapter 23: Wood
• Chapter 24: Glass and Glazing
• Chapter 25: Gypsum Board and Plaster
• Chapter 26: Plastic
• Chapter 27: Electrical Systems
• Chapter 28: Mechanical Systems
• Chapter 29: Plumbing Systems
• Chapter 30: Elevators and Conveying Systems
• Chapter 31: Special Construction
• Chapter 32: Construction in the Public Right of Way
• Chapter 33: Site Work, Demolition and Construction
• Chapter 34: Existing Buildings
• Chapter 35: Reference Standards
• Chapter 36: Florida Fire Prevention Code
• Appendix A: Weights of Building Materials
• Appendix B: Chapter 9B-52 Florida Standard for Passive Radon-Resistant New Residential Building Construction
• Appendix C: Standard for Mitigation of Radon in Existing Buildings
• Appendix D: Standard for Rehabilitation
• Appendix E: Chapter 9B-67 Florida Standard for Radon-Resistant New Commercial Building constructions
• Appendix F: Reserved
• Appendix G: Reserved
• Appendix H: Reserved
• Index