Florida

Advocacy Opportunities

Status

Explanations

Adopt Mandatory Codes

Residential

Florida has a mandatory statewide residential code. The state-developed code, Chapter 13 of the Florida Building Code, significantly exceeds the stringency of the 2006 IECC.

Commercial

Florida has a mandatory statewide commercial code. The state-developed code, Chapter 13 of the Florida Building Code, has a standard of performance more stringent than ASHRAE 90.1-2007.

Adopt an Automatic Review & Update Process

The Florida Building Commission (FBC) has a triennial code revision process. 

Create a Regulatory Process

The Florida Building Commission (FBC) is directed to adopt, revise, update, and maintain the Florida Building Code in accordance with Chapter 120 of the state statutes. The code is mandatory throughout the state and need not be adopted by a local government to be applicable at the local level.

Improve Compliance
 

Residential

Local building departments enforce compliance as part of building permitting and regulatory programs. Any work that would require a permit is subject to inspection by a local building official.
Energy Gauge FlaRes, an energy analysis software, may be used to show compliance. Technical assistance is made available through the Department of Community Affairs.

Commercial

Local building departments enforce compliance as part of building permitting and regulatory programs. Any work that would require a permit is subject to inspection by a local building official.
Energy Gauge FlaCom, an energy analysis software, may be used to show compliance. Technical assistance is made available through the Department of Community Affairs.

Eliminate Weakening Amendments

Add Strengthening Amendments

According to the assurance letter sent to the Secretary of the US Department of Energy on March 23, 2009 by Governor Charlie Crist, “the Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction is already substantially equivalent to the federal benchmark standards in Section 410 (2)” of the Recovery Act (the 2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007) and “Florida's Code will be at a minimum 20 percent more stringent than the benchmark standards within eight years of enactment” of the Recovery Act.

Allow Innovation at the Local Level
 

Set Milestones
 

On June 17, 2008, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist signed HB 697, which outlines the state legislature's mandates to improve the energy performance of Florida's infrastructure. To meet the state's ambitious energy efficiency goals, the Florida Building Commission will include provisions in the 2010 edition of the Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction necessary to increase the energy performance of new buildings by at least 20 percent as compared to the energy efficiency provisions of the 2007 Florida Building Code adopted on October 31, 2007. Further scheduled provisions shall increase energy efficiency by 30, 40, and 50 percent compared to the 2007 Florida Building Code for the 2013, 2016, and 2019 editions of the Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction, respectively.

Adopt Green Codes

City Wide Program:
Deltona, Florida.
Green Building Ordinance, 2009

Description:
This mandatory program requires all new and remodeled residential buildings to follow the guidelines of LEED for Homes or the current Green Home Designation Standard of the Florida Green Building Council. It also requires all new and renovated municipal and institutional buildings to follow the guidelines of LEED for New Construction or the current Green Commercial Designation Standard of the Florida Green Building Council. Projects that register intent to complete certification with either standard are eligible for expedited permitting and reduced permitting fees.

Energy Standard:
Commercial LEED Certification -  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program, mandatory: Minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines.  
LEED Options Include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.
Residential - FGBC mandatory prerequisite, HERS index of at least 90, solar pool heating system, pool cover.  Point options include: Improved HERS index, proper sizing HVAC, passive solar, exterior shading, solar hot water, insulate hot water pipes, dwelling unit attached or zero-lot line, ENERGY STAR appliances, advanced lighting package, etc    
Residential LEED H-Mandatory prerequisite, ENERGY STAR certification and refrigerant charge test, options include exceptional energy performance, efficient hot water distribution, pipe insulation, and appropriate HVAC Refrigerants.

County Wide Program:
Gainesville, Florida.
Gainesville Green Building Program

Description:
The county is providing a fast-track building permit incentive and a 50% reduction in the cost of building permit fees for LEED and FGBC certified projects. New municipal buildings or major renovations must meet LEED certified.  

Energy Standard:
Commercial LEED Certification -  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program, mandatory: Minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines.  LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.  
Residential -FGBC mandatory prerequisite,   HERS index of at least 90, solar pool heating system, pool cover.  Point options include: Improved HERS index, proper sizing HVAC, passive solar, exterior shading, solar hot water, insulate hot water pipes, dwelling unit attached or zero-lot line, ENERGY STAR appliances, advanced lighting package, etc.

City Wide Program:
Jacksonville, Florida.
Sustainable Building Ordinance 2009

Description:
Jacksonville's Sustainable Building Ordinance requires all new, and more than 50% renovated, City owned buildings be rated by a sustainable building certifier. Private participation in the program is voluntary and incentive-based. Programs recognized are LEED, FGBC, and Green Globes, but may be expanded to other similar programs.

Energy Standard:
Commercial LEED Certification -  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program, mandatory: Minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines.  LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.  
Residential - FGBC mandatory prerequisite, HERS index of at least 90, solar pool heating system, pool cover.  Point options include: improved HERS index, proper sizing HVAC, passive solar, exterior shading, solar hot water, insulate hot water pipes, dwelling unit attached or zero-lot line, ENERGY STAR appliances, advanced lighting package, etc.

County Wide Program:
Broward County, Florida.
Green Building Policy, 2008

Program Description:
Broward County Commission adopted a Green Building Policy requiring all new County-owned and operated buildings to be LEED Certified.

Energy Standard:
Commercial LEED Certification:  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program. Mandatory: minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines. LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.  

State Wide Program:
Florida.
HB7135, 2008

Program Description:
All new construction and renovation of state buildings must follow the guidelines of LEED or other green building rating systems, including Green Globes and the Florida Green Building Coalition standards. The bill requires the same of the following public entities in the State of Florida entering design after July 1, 2008: counties, municipalities, school districts, water management districts, state universities, community colleges, and Florida state courts. The bill further requires that all new leases of state-occupied office space must meet ENERGY STAR.

Energy Standard:
Commercial LEED Certification:  below is summarized from LEED New Construction (NC), details vary according to certification program. Mandatory: minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines. LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.

County Wide Program:
Lake County, Florida.
Green Building Ordinance, 2008

Program Description:
The County's ordinance mandates that county facilities be constructed to, or remodeled to - Green Standards of the Florida Green Building Coalition, LEED, or Green Globes.  Incentives are provided for all private applicants that voluntarily attain those standards.

Energy Standard:
Commercial LEED Certification -  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program, Mandatory: Minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines.  LEED options include: optimize energy Performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and Green Power.  
Residential - FGBC mandatory prerequisite, HERS index of at least 90, solar pool heating system, pool cover.  Point options include: improved HERS index, proper sizing HVAC, passive solar, exterior shading, solar hot water, insulate hot water pipes, dwelling unit attached or zero-lot line, ENERGY STAR appliances, advanced lighting package, etc

County Wide Program:
Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Sustainable Development Building Measures for County Buildings, 2005, 2007

Program Description:
Increased Energy Performance: Energy performance must be increased by 15% above that required in the 2004 edition of the Building Code, effective with the implementation of the 2007 edition of the Florida Building Code on December 31, 2008.  Additional benchmarks are identified in the FL State Building Code.

Energy Standard:
Mandatory: energy performance must be increased by 15% above that required in the 2004 edition of the building code, effective with the implementation of the 2007 edition of the Florida Building Code on December 31, 2008.

County Wide Program:
Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Building Code, 2008

Program Description:
Increased energy performance: energy performance must be increased by 15% above that required in the 2004 edition of the Building Code, effective with the implementation of the 2007 edition of the Florida Building Code on December 31, 2008.  Additional benchmarks are identified in the Florida State Building Code.

Energy Standard:
Mandatory: energy performance must be increased by 15% above that required in the 2004 edition of the Building Code, effective with the implementation of the 2007 edition of the Florida Building Code on December 31, 2008.

County Wide Program:
Pasco County, Florida.
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, 2002

Program Description:
Applying to all single and two-family residences, Pasco County's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance requires the use of environmentally sustainable principles, incorporate Xeriscape' and other principles, and utilize low maintenance plant species in landscaping. A maximum of 50% of plants (excluding trees) may be non-drought tolerant.

City Wide Program:
Sanibel, Florida
Vegetation Standard, 2004

Program Description:
Sanibel requires that all new vegetation planted in new or redevelopment be, by count, no less than 75% native species. The remaining vegetation must be non-competing. Certain zones of the island must be 100% native vegetation.

County Wide Program:
Sarasota County, Florida.
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, 2005

Program Description:
Applying to new construction and remodeling, the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance limits grass and flower area to less than 50% of total irrigation area. Low-volume irrigation is required for plant beds.

City Wide Program:
Tampa, Florida
Tampa Green Fast Track Program, 2008

Program Description:
Municipal buildings new and renovated 5000 ft2+ LEED Silver. All commercial 5000 ft2+ required to comply with 3rd party rating system - LEED or FGBC. Other systems evaluated on case-by-case basis. Grants are available to help with permitting costs.  

Energy Standard:
Commercial LEED Certification -  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program, Mandatory: Minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines.  LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.    
FGBC mandatory prerequisite, ENERGY STAR certification and refrigerant charge test, options include exceptional energy performance, efficient hot water distribution, pipe insulation, and appropriate HVAC refrigerants.
Residential - mandatory FGBC requirements:  HERS index of at least 90, solar pool heating system, pool cover.  Point options include: Improved HERS index, proper sizing HVAC, passive solar, exterior shading, solar hot water, insulate hot water pipes, dwelling unit attached or zero-lot line, ENERGY STAR appliances, advanced lighting package, etc.