Florida building code
Florida has adopted 2023 FBC-Building based on 2021 IBC. The table below lists the governing edition for every discipline a plan check touches, followed by the Florida cities and counties that amend it locally.
- Current edition
- 2023 Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (based on the 2021 I-Codes + 2020 NEC), effective 2023-12-31; Florida Fire Prevention Code, 8th Edition (NFPA 1/101-2021 w/ FL amendments), effective 2023-12-31
- Prior edition
- 2020 Florida Building Code, 7th Edition (based on 2018 I-Codes)
- Code authority
- Florida Building Commission (Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation): Florida Building Code; Division of State Fire Marshal, Florida Department of Financial Services, Florida Fire Prevention Code
Edition changeover: Projects with a complete application on or before 2023-12-31 may still be reviewed under the 2020 Florida Building Code, 7th Edition (based on 2018 I-Codes).
Adopted code by discipline
| Discipline | Adopted code | Local amendment |
|---|---|---|
| Building | 2023 FBC-Building based on 2021 IBC | n/a |
| Residential | 2023 FBC-Residential based on 2021 IRC | n/a |
| Existing buildings | 2023 FBC-Existing Building based on 2021 IEBC | n/a |
| Fire | 2023 FFPC (Florida Fire Prevention Code) based on NFPA 1-2021 + NFPA 101-2021 | n/a |
| Electrical | 2020 NEC (NFPA 70) based on 2020 NEC | n/a |
| Mechanical | 2023 FBC-Mechanical based on 2021 IMC | n/a |
| Plumbing | 2023 FBC-Plumbing based on 2021 IPC | n/a |
| Energy | 2023 FBC-Energy Conservation based on 2021 IECC (commercial compliance alternative ASHRAE 90.1-2019 per DOE) | n/a |
| Accessibility | 2023 FBC-Accessibility based on 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design + Florida-specific requirements (ch. 553 Part II F.S.) | n/a |
| Fuel Gas | 2023 FBC-Fuel Gas based on 2021 IFGC | n/a |
Overlays that can apply
Mapped hazard and district overlays stack on top of the adopted code. These are the overlays recorded for Florida. They apply by parcel, not jurisdiction-wide, so confirm the parcel before assuming one is in play. Check CAL FIRE's fire hazard severity viewer and FEMA's flood map service.
- Hurricane wind-borne debris region
- FEMA mapped flood hazard area
- California Coastal Zone
Sources
- https://www.floridabuilding.org/c/default.aspx?menu=Building_Codes
- https://www.floridabuilding.org/bc/bc_default.aspx
- http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0500-0599/0553/Sections/0553.73.html
- https://www.flrules.org/gateway/RuleNo.asp?title=FLORIDA%20BUILDING%20CODE&ID=61G20-1.001
- https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/sfm/bfp/florida-fire-prevention-code
- https://www.myfloridacfo.com/docs-sf/state-fire-marshal-libraries/sfm-documents/bfp/florida-fire-prevention-code/florida-fire-prevention-code-8th-edition-nfpa-1-fl-sp.pdf?sfvrsn=10321290_2
- https://www.myfloridacfo.com/docs-sf/state-fire-marshal-libraries/sfm-documents/bfp/florida-fire-prevention-code/florida-fire-prevention-code-8th-edition-nfpa-101-fl-sp.pdf?sfvrsn=a9bed124_1
- https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/FLBC2023P1
- https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/FLBC2026D
- https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/DocumentCenter/View/4380/Current-Florida-Building-Codes-in-Effect-1012024
- https://up.codes/viewer/florida/nfpa-70-2020
- https://www.concrete.org/Portals/0/Files/PDF/Master-I-Code-Adoption-Chart_December_2025.pdf
- https://www.energycodes.gov/state-portal
- https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes/united-states/florida
Common questions
What building code does Florida use?
Florida uses 2023 FBC-Building based on 2021 IBC. It is administered by the Florida Building Commission (Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation): Florida Building Code; Division of State Fire Marshal, Florida Department of Financial Services, Florida Fire Prevention Code. The prior edition was 2020 Florida Building Code, 7th Edition (based on 2018 I-Codes).
Do cities in Florida amend the state code?
Local amendments are adopted by ordinance at the city or county level. Confirm with the building department that reviews your permit.
Which edition applies to a permit already in review in Florida?
Projects with a complete application on or before 2023-12-31 may still be reviewed under the 2020 Florida Building Code, 7th Edition (based on 2018 I-Codes).
Check a plan set against Florida code
Knowing the adopted edition is the easy half. Architechtura reads your drawings, resolves which of these provisions actually apply to the project, and returns the corrections a plan checker would write up, each one cited to the section it came from.
Your first check is free, no card required.
Compiled from published state and municipal adoption ordinances. Local governments amend their codes on their own schedule, and a pending ordinance can change what applies to your permit. Confirm the governing edition with the building department before you submit. This page is reference information, not a code determination.