FLORIDA BUILDING CODE · HVHZ
Florida's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone requirements
The HVHZ is the strictest wind-resistant building standard in the U.S. Under the Florida Building Code it covers exactly two counties — Miami-Dade and Broward.
WHERE THE HVHZ APPLIES
Two counties in Florida's southeast corner
Per the Florida Building Code, the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone is defined as Miami-Dade and Broward Counties — the populated southeast Atlantic coast.
Amber = the two FBC-designated HVHZ counties. Silhouette is illustrative, not survey-accurate.
THE TWO HVHZ COUNTIES
Exactly two counties carry the designation
Both are covered county-wide. Each has its own product-approval pathway layered on top of the Florida Building Code.
BEYOND THE STANDARD CODE
What HVHZ adds over standard Florida code
Outside the HVHZ, Florida construction follows the baseline FBC and statewide Florida Product Approval. Inside it, three requirements step up.
Impact-rated glazing
All envelope openings need impact-resistant glazing or tested shutters — large-missile protection, no exceptions in the zone.
LARGE-MISSILENOA / product approval
Windows, doors, shutters and roofing must carry a Miami-Dade or Broward NOA — statewide Florida Product Approval alone is not sufficient.
NOA REQUIREDEnhanced inspection
Independent third-party special inspections are mandatory for envelope installation, structural connections and glazing protection.
3RD-PARTYPRODUCT APPROVAL & TESTING
How HVHZ products earn approval
HVHZ envelope products are verified against the Florida Building Code's testing application standards (TAS) before they can be specified or installed.
TAS 201 — Large missile impact
Specimen struck by a wind-borne debris missile to confirm the glazing or assembly is not breached.
IMPACTTAS 202 — Uniform & cyclic load
Structural uniform-load and air/water performance testing for the product under design wind pressures.
PRESSURETAS 203 — Cyclic pressure
Repeated positive/negative pressure cycles after impact, confirming the product survives sustained storm loading.
CYCLICFlorida Product Approval vs. NOA
Statewide Florida Product Approval is the baseline for construction outside the HVHZ. Inside the HVHZ, a Miami-Dade or Broward Notice of Acceptance (NOA) is required — backed by the TAS 201 / 202 / 203 testing above. Approval numbers must be current and listed on the permit.
WIND SPEED CONTEXT
Design speeds vary by site
HVHZ basic wind speeds in South Florida are typically around ~170–180 mph for Risk Category II, with higher values for Risk Category III and IV. The HVHZ originated as a region historically mapped at or above 130 mph. Always read the actual design wind speed for your exact location and Risk Category from the governing FBC / ASCE 7 maps — speeds vary by site and are never a single fixed number.
RUN THE NUMBERS
Need HVHZ wind load calculations?
Get Florida Building Code-compliant HVHZ wind pressures with current ASCE 7 maps and NOA-ready DP ratings.
RELATED HVHZ RESOURCES
Keep exploring the HVHZ
HVHZ Overview Guide
Complete introduction to High-Velocity Hurricane Zones.
GUIDEMiami-Dade NOA
Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance protocols and testing.
NOABroward County
Broward County HVHZ code and product approval process.
COUNTYHVHZ Product Approvals
NOA testing protocols, TAS standards and approval steps.
APPROVALSHVHZ vs Standard Zones
Key differences between HVHZ and standard wind zones.
COMPAREState Wind Load Requirements
Wind load requirements by state across the U.S.
50 STATES