Florida Wind Mitigation:
What Is Checked, Timing, and How Credits Work

Question 1:
Was the home built under the Florida Building Code (2001 or newer), or if inside Miami-Dade or Broward county under the South Florida Building Code (1994)

To qualify for the building code discount on your wind mitigation, most of Florida recognizes homes built under permits dated March 1, 2002 or later as meeting the Florida Building Code standard. In Miami-Dade and Broward counties, earlier hurricane codes were already in place, so homes built under SFBC-94 qualify under the South Florida Building Code.

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Question 2:
Roof Covering: Provide the permit application date OR FBC/MDC Product Approval number OR Year of Original Installation/Replacement for all roof covering types in use

To comply with Florida’s building codes, identify your roof covering—shingles, tile, metal, or flat roof—and verify it meets the standards. For most of Florida (outside Miami-Dade and Broward), your roof qualifies if the permit was issued on or after March 1, 2002, it’s an original roof from 2004 or later, or it has a valid Florida Product Approval number. In Miami-Dade and Broward’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, it qualifies if the permit was issued between September 1, 1994, and February 28, 2002, the original roof was built in 1997 or later, or it has a valid Miami-Dade Product Approval number.
If all coverings meet these rules, your home is Category A or B; if some do, it’s Category C; if none do, it’s Category D.

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Question 3: Roof Deck Attachment: What is the weakest form of roof deck attachment?

- Qualifies: Roof decking (plywood/OSB at least 7/16") attached with 8d nails, spaced either 6" or 12" apart, or reinforced concrete decks.
- Doesn’t Qualify: Decks fastened with staples, 6d nails, or batten decking with wood shakes/shingles.

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Question 4: Roof to Wall Attachment: What is the WEAKEST roof to wall connection? (Do not include attachment of hip/valley jacks within 5 feet of the inside or outside corner of the roof in determination of WEAKEST type)

Qualifies: Metal clips, single wraps, double wraps, or engineered connectors meeting code requirements.
Doesn’t Qualify: Toe-nail connections (just nails driven at an angle into the top plate or metal connectors that do not meet the requirements of checkmarks B,C,D).

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Question 5: Roof Geometry: What is the roof shape? (Do not consider roofs of porches or carports that are attached only to the fascia or wall of the host structure over unenclosed space in the determination of roof perimeter or roof area for roof geometry classification).

Qualifies: A roof that is at least 90% hip-shaped.
Doesn’t Qualify: Gable roofs, flat roofs, or mixed rooflines with more than 10% non-hip features.

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Question 6: Secondary Water Resistance (SWR): (standard underlayments or hot-mopped felts do not qualify as an SWR)

Qualifies: A peel-and-stick membrane or closed-cell foam adhesive applied directly to the decking.
Doesn’t Qualify: Standard underlayment or roofing felt.

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Question 7: Opening Protection: What is the weakest form of wind borne debris protection installed on the structure? First,use the table to determine the weakest form of protection for each category of opening. Second, (a) check one answer below (A, B, C, N, or X) based upon the lowest protection level for ALL Glazed openings and (b) check the protection level for all Non-Glazed openings (.1, .2, or .3) as applicable.

Qualifies: All glazed openings (windows, doors with glass, skylights, etc.) are protected by impact-rated or covered with shutters with approved documentation. Glazed Garage doors must also meet the qualifications listed in the table. Doesn’t Qualify: If even one opening lacks proper protection, or coverings can’t be verified.

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Updated August 12, 2025 • Orlando Inspex • Se habla español

Wind Mitigation Basics

The Wind Mitigation Inspection is a form created by the State of Florida and used by insurance companies to apply discounts to a homeowner’s policy. The form outlines seven construction features, and each response is used by carriers to determine the savings your home may qualify for.

What we check

We follow the same seven questions that carriers expect to see on the form. Each item below is photographed and recorded.

Building code based on permit date
Outside Miami-Dade and Broward, a permit date on or after 03/01/2002 qualifies as Florida Building Code. Within Miami-Dade or Broward, a permit date on or after 09/01/1994 qualifies as SFBC-94.
Roof covering and permit
Permit number and date of installation. The form confirms the roof covering type and permit status. It does not rate overall roof condition.
Roof deck attachment
Fastener type and spacing at the roof deck to truss connection.
Roof to wall connection
Clips, single wraps, or double wraps with required nailing and embedment.
Roof geometry
Predominant hip roof shape can qualify when it is 90 percent or more of the total roof area.
Secondary water barrier
Accepted self-adhered membrane covering the entire roof deck when present, seam tape, or closed cell spray foam
Opening protection
Impact rated windows and doors or shutters on all glazed openings. Additional credit can apply when qualifying non-glazed openings are also protected.

How credits work

Credits are applied by your insurer after they review the verified features in your report. Credits vary by carrier and policy. We document the features. Your insurer decides how credits apply to your premium.

Best timing in Central Florida

If you completed a new roof, book after the permit is closed
Revisit every 5 years or after major upgrades

What you receive

Insurer ready PDF report
Clear photos of every checked item
Simple guidance and a clear understanding of your report before we leave

How to prepare

Clear attic access and make sure it is safe to enter
Locate labels for shutters or impact openings where possible

Related insurance inspections

Some carriers ask for more than one document. You can learn about these here.

4-Point Inspection for Roof, Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC
Roof Certification to verify remaining life and general condition for insurance

Service area

We serve Orange County, Seminole County, Osceola County, Lake County, and Volusia County.

Schedule

Schedule an inspection or call 407-605-6332.

FAQ

Does everyone accept your form?
Yes, the Wind Mitigation is a State of Florida insurance discount form. All carriers have to honor it for 5 years (subject to no material changes)

Do you send the report to my insurer?
We send it to you and if you want we can forward a copy to your agent as well.

How long is the appointment?
Often 30 to 60 minutes for a typical single family home.

Wind mitigation inspections verify the specific features that reduce storm risk and may qualify your home for insurance credits. Schedule this inspection when your agent requests proof of mitigation or a few weeks before renewal so credits can be applied on time. This is a limited insurance inspection that documents defined items with photos and measurements. It is not a full home inspection. Below is a simple breakdown of what we check and how the credits work.