New roof: Florida reroof rules and your wind mitigation

What the reroof law covers

Section 553.844(2)(b) lists the mitigation techniques the Building Commission must adopt for site-built, single-family homes built before the Florida Building Code: gable-end bracing, secondary water barriers for roofs, improved roof-to-wall connections, strengthening or correcting roof-decking attachments and fasteners during reroofing, and adding or strengthening opening protections. Subsection (3) says the rules must require a roof replacement to include the secondary water barrier and deck attachment techniques.

For the secondary water barrier, the statute says the criteria may consider roof shape, slope and the composition of the roof system, and may not be limited to one method or material.

The 15 percent limit on roof-to-wall work

The statute says the cost of retrofitting existing buildings to new-construction roof-to-wall standards may exceed the practical benefit, and that the Legislature intends lower-cost methods so the cost does not exceed about 15 percent of the cost of reroofing. Roof-to-wall connections are not required unless the gable ends or all corners can be evaluated and connected for 15 percent of the roof replacement cost.

The statute sets priorities: on a house with both hip and gable ends, the gable-end connections come first unless the hip is more than 1.5 times wider than the gable end. Corners come first where the roof framing spans are greatest.

Repairs to newer roofs

Section 553.844(5) says that if an existing roof or roof section was built, repaired or replaced under the 2007 Florida Building Code or a later edition, and 25 percent or more of it is being repaired, replaced or recovered, only the repaired, replaced or recovered portion has to meet the current code. The statute bars local governments from amending this exception by ordinance.

Which form questions a new roof changes

• Question 4, roof covering: for each covering type, the inspector lists the permit application date or the FBC or Miami-Dade product approval number, and the year of installation or replacement. Answer 4.2 A covers roofs that meet the FBC with a product approval current at installation, or that have a roofing permit application dated on or after 3/1/02.
• Question 5, roof deck attachment: records the weakest form of deck attachment, by sheathing type, nail size and spacing.
• Question 6, roof-to-wall attachment: records the weakest roof-to-wall connection, from toenails to clips, wraps and structural connections.
• Question 8, sealed roof deck: the form says a secondary water resistance layer protects the home from water if the roof covering is lost, and that standard underlayment or hot-mopped felts do not qualify. Qualifying methods on the form are a fully adhered polymer-modified bitumen underlayment (ASTM D1970), tape over the deck seams with felt or synthetic, a double layer of felt or synthetic with no tape, and spray foam products.

Citizens' Wind Loss Mitigation Guide says that to get the FBC-equivalent roof cover credit, all roof coverings must meet the permit, product approval and year-of-installation requirements, and that product approvals or permits must be included with the inspection. See every question on the form.

Do you need a new wind mitigation after a new roof?

• The five-year term: the form says it is valid for up to five years "provided no material changes have been made to the structure or inaccuracies found on the form."
• Citizens: Citizens says you may need a new form before five years if you make improvements that may qualify for added discounts, and gives replacing a roof as an example of a structural change that may require a new inspection.
• Roof cover credit only: Citizens' Wind Loss Mitigation Guide says a new OIR-B1-1802 may not be required when a valid completed roofing permit is available and only a roof cover credit is being requested.
• The sealed roof deck: the same guide says the secondary water barrier is generally not visible on completed roofs, so the inspection should include photos, permits, a FORTIFIED Home certificate or other supporting documentation before sealed roof deck is selected.
• Not a roof certification: Citizens' guide says the OIR-B1-1802 is used only to verify wind mitigation features and "is not acceptable proof of roof condition or replacement." See which report your insurer wants.

Your roof's age after replacement

Under Florida Statutes s. 627.7011(5)(d), roof age is counted from the last date on which 100 percent of the roof's surface area was built or replaced under the building code in effect at the time. See Florida's roof age rules.

Grants for roof upgrades

The My Safe Florida Home program, run by the Florida Department of Financial Services, offers free wind mitigation inspections and grants for approved upgrades, including roof improvements and secondary water barrier installation. Its homepage advertises grants of up to $10,000 for homes that qualify after the inspection. See the program inspection vs. a private one.

A checklist for your reroof

• Keep the paperwork: Citizens lists roofing permits, work orders and invoices, receipts with product specifications, and notice-of-acceptance letters for mitigation products as documentation to give your inspector. To find older records, see how to find your permits in Palm Beach County.
• Clear the attic: Citizens says that without attic access you may not be eligible for roof-to-wall, roof-deck attachment and secondary water resistance discounts.
• Book the inspection: compare wind mitigation prices across Palm Beach County or find inspectors on the city pages.

FAQ

Does Florida require anything extra when I replace my roof?

Yes. Florida Statutes s. 553.844(3) says the rules for site-built, single-family homes must require a roof replacement to include a secondary water barrier and strengthened or corrected roof-decking attachments. In the wind-borne debris region, homes with an insured value of $300,000 or more must also get roof-to-wall connections when that can be done for 15 percent of the reroof cost.

Do I need a new wind mitigation inspection after a new roof?

It may be needed. Citizens gives replacing a roof as an example of a change that may require a new inspection. Citizens' Wind Loss Mitigation Guide says a new form may not be required when a valid completed roofing permit is available and only a roof cover credit is being requested.

Does regular roof underlayment count as secondary water resistance?

No. The OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26) form says standard underlayment or hot-mopped felts do not qualify as secondary water resistance.

Is a wind mitigation form proof that my roof was replaced?

No. Citizens' Wind Loss Mitigation Guide says the OIR-B1-1802 is used solely to verify wind mitigation features and is not acceptable proof of roof condition or replacement.

Sources

• Florida Statutes s. 553.844 (2026), windstorm loss mitigation; requirements for roofs and opening protection: leg.state.fl.us (checked Oct 23, 2026)
• Florida OIR, Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26): floir.gov (PDF) (checked Oct 23, 2026)
• Citizens Wind Loss Mitigation Guide (Rev. 04/26): PDF (checked Oct 23, 2026)
• Citizens Property Insurance, Wind Inspection Results (when you need a new inspection): citizensfla.com (checked Oct 23, 2026)
• Citizens Property Insurance, Your Wind Inspection (attic access, documents): citizensfla.com (checked Oct 23, 2026)
• Florida Statutes s. 627.7011 (2026), homeowners' policies, subsection (5) roof age: leg.state.fl.us (checked Oct 23, 2026)
• My Safe Florida Home (Florida DFS): mysafeflhome.com (checked Oct 23, 2026)