On December 5th, 2001 the Hillsborough Count Board of County Commissioners adopted the Hillsborough County Construction Code Ordinance No. 01-33, as amended by 01-34, incorporating the Florida Building Code.

The new Florida Building Code was effective March 1, 2002, and is responsible for some of the biggest changes ever faced by the building community.

Previously, there were more than 470 local building codes throughout the state. Now, all builders are required to work under the same set of rules described in one building code - the Florida Building Code.

Some of the code’s biggest changes deal with the new requirements from high-wind damage and termite infestation. The code now describes requirements to ensure that buildings in high-intensity hurricane areas can withstand the impact of wind-borne debris. In addition, the new code increases local government authority and consolidates different and conflicting codes.

The new Florida Building code consists of the following five (5) volumes:

Building
Plumbing
Mechanical
Fuel Gas
Test Protocols for High Velocity Hurricane Zones (for use in Dade and Broward Counties only).

You may review or purchase these documents by accessing the State’s Department of Community Affairs (DCA) web site – www.floridabuilding.org, or by contacting DCA directly at (850) 487-1824.