Chapter 553 Building Construction Standards
Part I - Manufactured Buildings (ss. 553.35-553.42)
- §553.35 Short title.
This part shall be known and may be cited as the "Florida Manufactured Building Act of 1979." History.--s. 1, ch. 71-172; s. 1, ch. 74-208;...
- §553.355 Minimum construction requirements established.
The Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention and Lifesafety Codes shall be the minimum construction requirements governing the manufacture, design, construction, erection, alteration,...
- §553.36 Definitions.
The definitions contained in this section govern the construction of this part unless the context otherwise requires. (1) "Approved" means conforming to the requirements of the...
- §553.37 Rules; inspections; and insignia.
(1) The Florida Building Commission shall adopt within the Florida Building Code requirements for construction or modification of manufactured buildings and building modules, to address: (a) Submittal...
- §553.375 Recertification of manufactured buildings.
Prior to the relocation, modification, or change of occupancy of a manufactured building within the state, the manufacturer, dealer, or owner thereof may apply to...
- §553.38 Application and scope.
The department shall enforce every provision of the Florida Building Code adopted pursuant hereto, except that local land use and zoning requirements, fire zones, building...
- §553.381 Manufacturer certification.
(1) Before manufacturing buildings to be located within this state or selling manufactured buildings within this state, whichever occurs later, a manufacturer must be certified by...
- §553.382 Placement of certain housing.
Notwithstanding any other law or ordinance to the contrary, in order to expand the availability of affordable housing in this state, any residential manufactured building...
- §553.39 Injunctive relief.
The department may seek injunctive or other relief from the circuit court of appropriate jurisdiction to compel compliance with the requirements of this part or...
- §553.41 Penalties.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this part is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s....
- §553.415 Factory-built school buildings.
(1) It is the purpose of this section to provide an alternative procedure for the construction and installation of factory-built school buildings designed or intended for...
- §553.42 Legislative intent.
Nothing herein shall act to nullify or supersede the provisions of chapter 527 relating to sale, use, or storage of liquefied petroleum gas, except that...
Part II - Accessibility By Handicapped Persons (ss. 553.501-553.513)
- §553.501 Short title.
Sections 553.501-553.513 may be cited as the "Florida Americans With Disabilities Accessibility Implementation Act." History.--s. 1, ch. 93-183. ...
- §553.502 Intent.
The purpose and intent of ss. 553.501-553.513 is to incorporate into the law of this state the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act...
- §553.503 Adoption of guidelines.
Subject to the exceptions in s. 553.504, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines, as adopted by reference in 28 C.F.R., part 36, subparts...
- §553.504 Exceptions to applicability of the guidelines.
Notwithstanding the adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines in s. 553.503, all buildings, structures, and facilities in this state shall meet the...
- §553.5041 Parking spaces for persons who have disabilities.
(1) This section is not intended to expand or diminish the defenses available to a place of public accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and...
- §553.505 Exceptions to applicability of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Notwithstanding the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, private clubs are governed by ss. 553.501-553.513. Parking spaces, parking lots, and other parking facilities are governed...
- §553.506 Powers of the commission.
In addition to any other authority vested in the Florida Building Commission by law, the commission, in implementing ss. 553.501-553.513, may, by rule, adopt revised...
- §553.507 Exemptions.
Sections 553.501-553.513 do not apply to any of the following: (1) Buildings, structures, or facilities that were either under construction or under contract for construction on...
- §553.508 Architectural barrier removal.
Removal of architectural barriers, pursuant to 28 C.F.R. s. 36.304, from buildings, structures, or facilities to which this act applies shall comply with ss. 553.501-553.513...
- §553.509 Vertical accessibility.
(1) Nothing in ss. 553.501-553.513 or the guidelines shall be construed to relieve the owner of any building, structure, or facility governed by those sections from...
- §553.511 Parking facilities; minimum height clearance requirement.
Every nonresidential structure built on or after January 1, 1991, which is designed to use covered or underground parking as the primary available parking space...
- §553.512 Modifications and waivers; advisory council.
(1) The Florida Building Commission shall provide by regulation criteria for granting individual modifications of, or exceptions from, the literal requirements of this part upon a...
- §553.513 Enforcement.
It shall be the responsibility of each local government and each code enforcement agency established pursuant to s. 553.80 to enforce the provisions of this...
Part III - Trench Safety Act (ss. 553.60-553.64)
- §553.60 Short title.
This act may be cited as the "Trench Safety Act." History.--s. 1, ch. 90-96. ...
- §553.61 Intent.
The purpose and intent of this act is to provide for increased worker safety by requiring compliance with sufficient standards for trench safety. History.--s. 2,...
- §553.62 State standard.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's excavation safety standards, 29 C.F.R. s. 1926.650 Subpart P, are hereby incorporated as the state standard. The 1Department of...
- §553.63 Trench excavations in excess of 5 feet deep; required information.
On all specific contracts for trench excavation in which such excavation will exceed a depth of 5 feet: (1) The contract bid submitted by the contractor...
- §553.64 Certain requirements for contract bids.
The separate item identifying the cost of compliance with trench safety standards shall be based on the linear feet of trench to be excavated. The...
Part IV - Florida Building Code (ss. 553.70-553.898)
- §553.70 Short title.
This part shall be known and may be cited as the "Florida Building Codes Act." History.--s. 1, ch. 74-167; s. 1, ch. 77-365. ...
- §553.71 Definitions.
As used in this part, the term: (1) "Commission" means the Florida Building Commission created by this part. (2) "Department" means the Department of Community Affairs. (3) "State...
- §553.72 Intent.
(1) The purpose and intent of this act is to provide a mechanism for the uniform adoption, updating, amendment, interpretation, and enforcement of a single, unified...
- §553.721 Surcharge.
In order for the Department of Community Affairs to administer and carry out the purposes of this part and related activities, there is hereby created...
- §553.73 Florida Building Code.
(1)(a) The commission shall adopt, by rule pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54, the Florida Building Code which shall contain or incorporate by reference all laws...
- §553.731 Wind-borne-debris protection requirement.
Upon the effective date of this act, each jurisdiction having authority to enforce the Florida Building Code shall, at a minimum, require wind-borne-debris protection in...
- §553.74 Florida Building Commission.
(1) The Florida Building Commission is created and shall be located within the Department of Community Affairs for administrative purposes. Members shall be appointed by the...
- §553.75 Organization of commission; rules and regulations; meetings; staff; fiscal affairs.
(1) The commission shall meet on call of the secretary. The commission shall annually elect from its appointive members such officers as it may choose. (2) The...
- §553.76 General powers of the commission.
The commission is authorized to: (1) Adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this part. (2) Issue memoranda of procedure for...
- §553.77 Specific powers of the commission.
(1) The commission shall: (a) Adopt and update the Florida Building Code or amendments thereto, pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54. (b) Make a continual study of the...
- §553.775 Interpretations.
(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that the Florida Building Code be interpreted by building officials, local enforcement agencies, and the commission in a...
- §553.781 Licensee accountability.
(1) The Legislature finds that accountability for work performed by design professionals and contractors is the key to strong and consistent compliance with the Florida Building...
- §553.79 Permits; applications; issuance; inspections.
(1) After the effective date of the Florida Building Code adopted as herein provided, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or governmental entity...
- §553.791 Alternative plans review and inspection.
(1) As used in this section, the term: (a) "Applicable codes" means the Florida Building Code and any local technical amendments to the Florida Building Code but...
- §553.792 Building permit application to local government.
(1) Within 10 days of an applicant submitting an application to the local government, the local government shall advise the applicant what information, if any, is...
- §553.80 Enforcement.
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)-(f), each local government and each legally constituted enforcement district with statutory authority shall regulate building construction and, where authorized...
- §553.83 Injunctive relief.
Any local government, legally constituted enforcement district, or state agency authorized to enforce sections of the Florida Building Code under s. 553.80 may seek injunctive...
- §553.84 Statutory civil action.
Notwithstanding any other remedies available, any person or party, in an individual capacity or on behalf of a class of persons or parties, damaged as...
- §553.841 Building code compliance and mitigation program.
(1) The Legislature finds that knowledge and understanding by persons licensed in the design and construction industries of the importance and need for complying with the...
- §553.842 Product evaluation and approval.
(1) The commission shall adopt rules under ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to develop and implement a product evaluation and approval system that applies statewide to operate...
- §553.8425 Local product approval.
(1) For local product approval, products or systems of construction shall demonstrate compliance with the structural windload requirements of the Florida Building Code through one of...
- §553.844 Windstorm loss mitigation; requirements for roofs and opening protection.
(1) The Legislature finds that: (a) The effects of recent hurricanes on the state have demonstrated the effectiveness of the Florida Building Code in reducing property damage...
- §553.85 Liquefied petroleum gases.
The provisions of the Florida Building Code for the design, construction, location, installation, services, and operation of equipment for storing, handling, transporting, and utilization of...
- §553.86 Public restrooms; ratio of facilities for men and women; application; incorporation into the Florida Building Code.
The Florida Building Commission shall incorporate into the Florida Building Code, to be adopted by rule pursuant to s. 553.73(1), a ratio of public restroom...
- §553.88 Adoption of electrical and alarm standards.
For the purpose of establishing minimum electrical and alarm standards in this state, the current edition of the following standards are adopted: (1) "National Electrical Code,"...
- §553.885 Carbon monoxide alarm required.
(1) Every building for which a building permit is issued for new construction on or after July 1, 2008, and having a fossil-fuel-burning heater or appliance,...
- §553.895 Firesafety.
(1) Any transient public lodging establishment, as defined in chapter 509 and used primarily for transient occupancy as defined in s. 83.43(10), or any timeshare unit...
- §553.896 Mitigation grant program guideline.
(1) The Legislature finds that facilities owned by the government and those designated to protect the public should be the first to adopt the best practices,...
- §553.897 Rulemaking authority; effective date.
Notwithstanding the effective date of any section of chapter 2000-141, Laws of Florida, or chapter 98-287, Laws of Florida, any authority to adopt rules provided...
- §553.898 Preemption; certain special acts concerning general purpose local government repealed.
Chapter 2000-141, Laws of Florida, does not imply any repeal or sunset of existing general or special laws governing any special district that are not...
Part V - Thermal Efficiency Standards (ss. 553.900-553.912)
- §553.900 Short title.
This part shall be known and may be cited as the "Florida Thermal Efficiency Code." History.--s. 1, ch. 77-128. ...
- §553.901 Purpose of thermal efficiency code.
The Department of Community Affairs shall prepare a thermal efficiency code to provide for a statewide uniform standard for energy efficiency in the thermal design...
- §553.902 Definitions.
For the purposes of this part: (1) "Exempted building" means: (a) Any building or portion thereof whose peak design rate of energy usage for all purposes is...
- §553.903 Applicability.
This part shall apply to all new and renovated buildings in the state, except exempted buildings, for which building permits are obtained after March 15,...
- §553.904 Thermal efficiency standards for new nonresidential buildings.
Thermal designs and operations for new nonresidential buildings for which building permits are obtained after March 15, 1979, shall at a minimum take into account...
- §553.905 Thermal efficiency standards for new residential buildings.
Thermal designs and operations for new residential buildings for which building permits are obtained after March 15, 1979, shall at a minimum take into account...
- §553.906 Thermal efficiency standards for renovated buildings.
Thermal designs and operations for renovated buildings for which building permits are obtained after March 15, 1979, shall take into account insulation; windows; infiltration; HVAC,...
- §553.907 Compliance.
Each local enforcement agency shall report to the department any information concerning compliance certifications and amendments at such intervals as the department designates by rule...
- §553.908 Inspection.
Before construction or renovation is completed, the local enforcement agency shall inspect buildings for compliance with the standards of this part. History.--s. 1, ch. 77-128....
- §553.9085 Energy performance disclosure for residential buildings.
The energy performance level resulting from compliance with the provisions of this part, for each new residential building, shall be disclosed at the request of...
- §553.909 Setting requirements for appliances; exceptions.
(1) The Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction shall set the minimum requirements for heat traps and thermostat settings for water heaters sold for residential...
- §553.912 Air conditioners.
All air conditioners which are sold or installed in the state shall meet the minimum efficiency ratings of the Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building...
Part VI - Energy Conservation Standards (ss. 553.951-553.975)
- §553.951 Short title.
This part may be cited as the "Florida Energy Conservation Standards Act." History.--s. 1, ch. 87-271. ...
- §553.953 Purpose.
(1) The purpose of these energy conservation standards is to provide statewide minimum standards for energy efficiency in certain products, consistent with energy conservation goals. The...
- §553.954 Adoption of standards.
The Department of Community Affairs shall adopt, modify, revise, update, and maintain the Florida Energy Conservation Standards to implement the provisions of this part and...
- §553.955 Definitions.
For purposes of this part: (1) "AV" means the adjusted volume for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers, as defined in the applicable test procedure. (2) "Ballast" or "fluorescent...
- §553.957 Products covered by this part.
(1) The provisions of this part apply to the testing, certification, and enforcement of energy conservation standards for the following types of new products sold in...
- §553.959 Applicability.
(1) Subject to the effective dates provided by s. 553.963, no new product covered by this part may be sold, offered for sale, advertised or otherwise...
- §553.961 Test methods.
The manufacturer shall cause the testing of samples of each model of each product covered by this part. Test procedures identified in the code shall...
- §553.963 Energy conservation standards.
(1) STANDARDS FOR REFRIGERATORS, REFRIGERATOR-FREEZERS, AND FREEZERS.-- (a) The following is the maximum energy use allowed in kilowatt hours per year for the following products, other than...
- §553.968 Exemptions.
The department may grant an exemption from compliance with the standards of this part for any currently produced product model which the manufacturer shows, and...
- §553.969 Revisions of standards.
The department shall, no earlier than 2 years after adoption of new or revised standards and no later than 4 years after adoption of new...
- §553.971 Certification statements.
(1) Manufacturers of products covered by this part shall certify to the department that such products are in compliance with the provisions of this part. (2) Except...
- §553.973 Enforcement and penalties.
(1) The Department of Community Affairs shall investigate any complaints received concerning violations of this part and shall report the results of its investigation to the...
- §553.975 Report to the Governor and Legislature.
The Public Service Commission shall submit a biennial report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives,...
Part VII - Standards For Radon-Resistant Buildings (s. 553.98)
Part VIII - Building Energy-Efficiency Rating System (ss. 553.990-553.998)
- §553.990 Short title.
This part may be cited as the "Florida Building Energy-Efficiency Rating Act." History.--s. 12, ch. 93-249. ...
- §553.991 Purpose.
The purpose of this part is to provide for a statewide uniform system for rating the energy efficiency of buildings. It is in the interest...
- §553.992 Adoption of rating system.
The Department of Community Affairs shall adopt, update, and maintain a statewide uniform building energy-efficiency rating system to implement the provisions of this part and...
- §553.993 Definitions.
For purposes of this part: (1) "Acquisition" means to gain the sole or partial use of a building through a purchase agreement. (2) "Builder" means the primary...
- §553.994 Applicability.
The rating system shall apply to all public, commercial, and residential buildings in the state. History.--s. 12, ch. 93-249; s. 4, ch. 94-284; s. 42,...
- §553.995 Energy-efficiency ratings for buildings.
(1) The energy-efficiency rating system shall at a minimum: (a) Provide a uniform rating scale of the efficiency of buildings based on annual energy usage. (b) Take into...
- §553.996 Energy-efficiency information brochure.
A prospective purchaser of real property with a building for occupancy located thereon shall be provided with a copy of an information brochure, at the...
- §553.997 Public buildings.
(1) Each public building proposed for construction, renovation, or acquisition shall be rated pursuant to the energy-efficiency rating system provided in s. 553.995 prior to contracting...
- §553.998 Compliance.
All ratings shall be determined using tools and procedures adopted by the department by rule in accordance with chapter 120 and shall be certified by...
