Hurricane Preparedness in Boca Raton, FL (2026)
4 verified hurricane preparedness rules for Boca Raton, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Hurricane Shutters
Boca Raton requires impact-rated opening protection under Sec. 19-96 for site-built 1- and 2-family homes when a permitted improvement costs $50,000 or more and the home is insured for $750,000 or more, or valued that high for tax purposes if uninsured, in the wind-borne debris region. Sec. 19-100 separately lets any owner install temporary plywood panels, no permit needed, once a hurricane warning is declared.
Boca Raton Hurricane Opening Protection Rule
Some RestrictionsBoca Raton Code of Ordinances § 19-96
For any improvement to a site built detached 1- and 2-family dwelling requiring a permit and for which the estimated cost of such improvement is $50,000.00 or more when such dwelling is situated in the wind borne debris region as defined in this building code and has an insured value of $750,000.00 or more, or, if such dwelling is uninsured or for which documentation of insured value is not pre...
Roof Standards
Boca Raton will not approve a roof permit until the construction documents spell out the roofing system, materials, fastening pattern, flashing, and wind resistance rating for that specific site. City Code Sec. 19-107(3) requires either a product evaluation proving compliance with the site's wind criteria or a sealed statement from the architect or engineer of record confirming the roof assembly meets it.
Boca Raton Roof Wind-Resistance Design Rule
Some RestrictionsBoca Raton, FL Code of Ordinances § 19-107(3)
Roof assemblies. For roof assemblies required by the building code, the construction documents shall illustrate, describe and delineate the type of roofing system, materials, fastening requirements, flashing requirements and wind resistance rating that are required to be installed. Product evaluation and installation shall indicate compliance with the wind criteria required for the specific sit...
Flood Elevation
Boca Raton sets its own freeboard above FEMA's base flood elevation: Sec. 19-238 requires new buildings in flood hazard areas to set their lowest floor at the highest of the base flood elevation plus 1 foot, the design flood elevation, the South Florida Water Management District's permitted finished floor elevation, or 1.5 feet above the crown of the road.
Boca Raton Flood Elevation Building Standard
Some RestrictionsBoca Raton Code of Ordinances § 19-238(2)(a),(c)
(2)Minimum building elevations:(a)In flood hazard areas, buildings and structures shall have: the lowest floor, dry floodproofing measures, or the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor, as applicable to occupancy and flood zone, at or above the highest of: (i) the base flood elevation plus 1 foot, (ii) the design flood elevation, (iii) the South Florida Water Man...
Storm Debris
Once the city declares a hurricane warning, Sec. 19-170 requires every active construction site to either remove all stored solid waste or secure it against becoming wind-borne debris, and to tie, band, or net down any stored construction materials so wind can't turn a job site into flying debris.
Boca Raton Construction Site Debris Storm Rule
Some RestrictionsBoca Raton Code of Ordinances § 19-170
(1)Upon declaration of a hurricane warning, all solid waste stored upon a construction site shall be removed from the site and disposed of in an approved manner or secured in such a manner as to prevent the waste material from becoming wind-borne debris during a storm.(2)Alternatively, upon declaration of a hurricane warning, construction materials stored on site shall be tied, banded, or place...
Looking for Palm Beach County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Boca Raton city rules.
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