Miami-Dade County
Building Code
The most stringent building code in the continental United States. Miami-Dade's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) requirements govern all construction in Miami-Dade and Broward counties — from product approval to structural connections.
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Miami-Dade Code Expert
Florida Building Code Expert
8th Edition (2023) · 9th Edition Draft (2026)
Hello! I'm your Florida Building Code Expert.
I can answer questions about the 8th Edition FBC (2023) — currently in force — and the 9th Edition Draft (expected Dec 2026). Ask me about wind loads, permits, structural requirements, HVHZ, flood zones, and more.
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For site-specific engineering, contact Pineland Engineering · (239) 420-1530
Miami-Dade County Code Chapter 8 — current version Jun 17, 2026 · View on Municode
High-Velocity Hurricane Zone
HVHZ Core Requirements
Construction in Miami-Dade and Broward counties must meet these HVHZ-specific requirements in addition to the standard Florida Building Code. These provisions apply to all new construction, additions, and substantial improvements.
Wind Speed Design
Miami-Dade County is designed for 175–185 mph ultimate design wind speeds (ASCE 7-22). All structures must be engineered for these extreme wind loads — significantly higher than the 130 mph minimum for most of Florida.
ASCE 7-22 §26 / FBC §1609Miami-Dade NOA Required
All exterior building products — windows, doors, roofing, cladding, skylights — must carry a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) or Florida Product Approval. No substitutions permitted without re-testing.
FBC §1609.1.2 / MDC §8-5Impact-Resistant Glazing
All exterior glazing in HVHZ must be impact-resistant (ASTM E1886/E1996 Large Missile Level D) or protected by approved impact-resistant shutters. Standard tempered glass is not sufficient.
FBC §1609.1.2 / MDC §8-5Structural Connections
Continuous load path from roof to foundation required. Roof-to-wall, wall-to-floor, and floor-to-foundation connections must be engineered and verified by special inspection. Uplift straps at every rafter/truss.
FBC §1604.8.2 / ASCE 7-22Product Approval Testing
Products must be tested per Miami-Dade test protocols (TAS 100–203) or equivalent ASTM standards. The Miami-Dade Building Code Compliance Office (BCCO) maintains the approved product database.
MDC Chapter 8 Art. IV / FBC §1609Threshold Inspections
Buildings >3 stories or >50 ft require threshold inspections by a licensed structural engineer or architect throughout construction. Threshold inspector must be on-site during critical structural work.
Fla. Stat. §553.79 / FBC §110.3Product Testing Standards
Miami-Dade TAS Test Protocols
The Florida Building Code Volume — Test Protocols for High-Velocity Hurricane Zones establishes the TAS (Test Application Standard) series. Products must be tested to these standards to receive Miami-Dade NOA approval.
| Protocol | Title |
|---|---|
| TAS 100 | Test Procedure for Wind and Wind Driven Rain Resistance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls and Doors |
| TAS 101 | Test Procedure for Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors and Impact Protective Systems |
| TAS 110 | Test Procedure for Exterior Glazing Systems |
| TAS 116 | Test Procedure for Roof Tile Systems |
| TAS 117 | Test Procedure for Roof Tile Adhesive Systems |
| TAS 120 | Test Procedure for Roof Coverings |
| TAS 125 | Test Procedure for Roof Deck Assemblies |
| TAS 200 | Test Procedure for Impact and Cyclic Wind Pressure Loading of Exterior Shutters |
| TAS 201 | Impact Test Procedures (Large Missile) |
| TAS 202 | Criteria for Testing Impact and Non-Impact Resistant Building Envelope Components |
| TAS 203 | Criteria for Testing Products Subject to Cyclic Wind Pressure Loading |
Common Questions
Miami-Dade Building Code FAQs
Official Sources
Miami-Dade Building Code Resources
Miami-Dade Building Department
Permits, inspections, and code compliance
Miami-Dade NOA Product Approval Database
Search approved products (NOAs)
Miami-Dade County Code Chapter 8
Official building code ordinances
FBC Test Protocols for HVHZ (TAS)
TAS 100–203 test standards
Florida Building Commission
State code adoption and amendments
Miami-Dade ePlan (Electronic Permits)
Online permit submission portal
Need HVHZ Structural Engineering?
Pineland Engineering — A Designda Inc. Company — is licensed to practice architecture and engineering throughout Florida, including Miami-Dade County's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.