Let’s Make Florida’s Buildings Safer Together

The law applies to residential condominium buildings that are three or more stories.

Together, these bills have set some new standards for condominiums and co-ops:

• Milestone inspections can be performed by a team of professionals supervised by a licensed architect or engineer to create a larger pool of available inspectors.
• If a building reaches 30 years of age between July 1, 2022 - December 31, 2024, the inspection deadline is extended to December 31, 2025.
• Milestone inspection requirements apply only to residential condominiums.
• While there was initially a strict 25-year deadline for coastal (within 3 miles of a coast) condominiums, the state now leaves it up to local authorities to determine if it’s necessary.
• Windows and doors can be mandated to meet certain requirements for condominiums that reach three stories and above.

This is just a short list. See more details of the law below.

Buildings that are three stories or more that reach 30 years old between July 1, 2022, and December 31, 2025. Local agencies may decide to inspect coastal condominium properties once they reach 25 years of age – circumstances like high exposure to saltwater can trigger the inspection.

Many condominiums may be required to replace their windows and doors, which we are ready to provide. We even have many products that can help rehabilitate Florida’s older, more vulnerable buildings with resistance against hurricane-force winds and weather events.

The short answer: We don’t know yet. The Florida legislature held a special session to determine insurance implications, but nothing substantial has been announced.

Here is a detailed list of provisions not mentioned above:

• “Substantial structural weakness” has been added to the definition of “substantial structural deterioration.”
• Local authorities can extend the milestone inspection deadline for condominiums if there’s a contract in place for a pending inspection, but the inspection can’t occur by the deadline.
• Municipalities can accept a 40- or 50-year recertification report if it was completed before July 1, 2022, but only if that report covers most of what the new inspection laws require.
• Inspection Phase 1 must be completed within 180 days after receiving notice from the municipality that the inspection report is due.
• Associations must notify owners and provide completion date within 14 days of receiving notice from the municipality that a milestone inspection must be performed.
• If a Phase 2 is needed, the architect or engineer must submit a timeline for completion within 180 days of Phase 1.
• Associations must post and send a summary of the report to owners within 45 days of receiving the architect or engineer report.
• If there is substantial structural deterioration found, repairs must begin within 365 days of receiving the report.

Established by HB 1029, the My Safe Florida Condominium pilot program offers financial grants to eligible condominium associations that are required to make updates to meet building code standards. Participation requires approval from the majority of condominium boards, unanimous consent from all who own units in the building, and other provisions. Grants provide two-to-one dollar matching and maximum limits for repairing or replacing openings like exterior doors, garage doors, windows, and skylights. Read more about HB 1029 here.