Duval County Florida | 130-140 mph Design Wind Speed | Florida Product Approval | Exposure Category C Coastal/B Inland | FBC 8th Edition
Calculate Jacksonville Wind Loads Now →Jacksonville, located in Duval County, Florida, operates as a consolidated city-county government and has moderate wind load requirements appropriate for its position on the Northeast Florida coast. Jacksonville requires a design wind speed of approximately 130-140 mph (3-second gust) for Risk Category II structures, based on ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and St. Johns River.
While Jacksonville faces hurricane risk as a coastal city, it experiences lower wind velocities than South Florida because it sits further north and is partially protected by the Atlantic coastline's curvature. However, the city remains subject to Florida's stringent building code requirements, including mandatory Florida Product Approval for exterior building components and full compliance with the Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023).
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category II): 130-140 mph (3-second gust, varies by location)
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category III): ~145-155 mph
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category IV): ~155-165 mph
Exposure Category: C (coastal areas), B (inland neighborhoods)
Building Code: Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023)
Wind Load Standard: ASCE 7-22
Product Approval: Florida Product Approval required (NOT Miami-Dade NOA)
HVHZ Status: NOT in High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ limited to Miami-Dade/Broward)
Jacksonville's design wind speeds of 130-140 mph are derived from ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps for the Northeast Florida coastal region. This velocity range accounts for the city's exposure to Atlantic hurricanes while recognizing that Jacksonville experiences lower sustained wind speeds than the Southeast Florida coast due to its more northern latitude and geographic position.
The exact wind speed for a specific Jacksonville project depends on precise location. Coastal areas near Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Neptune Beach typically require the higher end of the range (135-140 mph) due to direct ocean exposure, while inland neighborhoods and areas west of the St. Johns River may use the lower end (130-135 mph). The WindLoadCalc.com calculator automatically determines the correct velocity based on your project's zip code or address.
Jacksonville's unique geography significantly influences wind load requirements:
Calculating wind loads for Jacksonville projects requires following ASCE 7-22 methodology with Florida Building Code requirements. The fundamental velocity pressure equation is:
qz = 0.00256 Kz Kzt Kd Ke V²
For a typical Jacksonville coastal project with V = 135 mph and Exposure C conditions, the resulting pressures are moderate compared to South Florida but still require careful engineering. A Jacksonville Beach project with:
Results in a velocity pressure of approximately qz = 42.5 psf—significantly lower than Miami's 56.7 psf but still substantial and requiring proper structural design.
All Florida projects, including Jacksonville, must use exterior building components with Florida Product Approval. This requirement applies statewide and includes:
Important: Jacksonville is NOT in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). The HVHZ designation applies only to Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Jacksonville projects require Florida Product Approval, not Miami-Dade NOA (Notice of Acceptance). You can verify Product Approval status through the Florida Building Commission online database.
Jacksonville (NOT HVHZ): Design wind speed 130-140 mph, requires Florida Product Approval, standard ASCE 7-22 calculations
Miami (HVHZ): Design wind speed 175 mph, requires Miami-Dade NOA, mandatory TAS impact testing, much stricter requirements
Key Takeaway: Jacksonville requirements are substantially less stringent than Miami but still require full Florida Building Code compliance
Jacksonville projects must be classified into Risk Categories per ASCE 7-22 Table 1.5-1. Higher risk categories require increased design wind speeds:
| Risk Category | Jacksonville Design Wind Speed | Building Types |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Category I | ~120-130 mph | Agricultural facilities, temporary structures, minor storage |
| Risk Category II | 130-140 mph | Residential, commercial, most standard occupancies |
| Risk Category III | ~145-155 mph | Schools, assembly >300, substantial hazardous materials |
| Risk Category IV | ~155-165 mph | Hospitals, fire stations, emergency shelters, EOCs |
Jacksonville projects require careful exposure category determination based on location and surrounding terrain:
Unlike Miami-Dade County which mandates Exposure C for all structures, Jacksonville allows engineers to use Exposure B for inland projects where appropriate terrain conditions exist. This distinction can significantly reduce calculated wind pressures for inland residential projects.
Jacksonville/Duval County uses zip codes in the 32099-32299 range. Wind speeds vary by location:
The WindLoadCalc.com wind load calculator automatically determines the correct wind speed and exposure category recommendations when you enter any Jacksonville/Duval County zip code or address, using ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps and local terrain analysis.
WindLoadCalc.com automatically handles all Jacksonville/Duval County requirements including location-specific wind velocities (130-140 mph range), appropriate Exposure Category recommendations, Risk Category adjustments, and component pressure coefficients. Simply enter your Jacksonville project address or zip code for instant, accurate calculations.
Calculate Jacksonville Wind Loads Now →All wind load calculations for Jacksonville building permits must be prepared by or under the direct supervision of a Professional Engineer (PE) or Architect licensed in Florida. The sealed calculations must include:
Engineers, architects, and contractors should reference these official resources for Jacksonville wind load compliance:
The wind load calculator at WindLoadCalc.com automatically applies all Jacksonville-specific requirements:
WindLoadCalc.com provides instant, accurate wind load calculations for Jacksonville/Duval County projects. Our software automatically handles location-specific wind velocities (130-140 mph), appropriate Exposure Category recommendations, and generates PE-ready reports for building permit submission.
Try Jacksonville Wind Load Calculator →