Hurricane Preparedness in Miami-Dade County, FL (2026)

4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Miami-Dade County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Hurricane Shutters

Miami-Dade County Code Section 8-40 requires shutters and other opening-protection products to carry a high wind velocity zone approval from the Florida Building Commission, or a county-issued local product approval, before they can be used on a structure. Section 8A-6 separately makes it an unlawful, deceptive trade practice to sell shutters at retail without disclosing the wind load and impact test requirements and posting a permit notice.

Miami-Dade Hurricane Shutter Approval Standard

Some Restrictions

Miami-Dade County Code §§ 8-40, 8A-6(b)

Any person desiring to use materials/products used for protection of the envelope of the structure, limited to windows, exterior glazing, wall cladding, roofing, exterior doors, skylights, glass block, siding and shutters shall obtain a high wind velocity zone approval from the Florida Building Commission or shall obtain a local approval in accordance with Sections 553.842 and 553.8425 of the F...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Roof Standards

Miami-Dade County adopts the Florida Building Code's High Velocity Hurricane Zone roofing requirements and Roofing Application Standards, but locally bars the prescriptive built-up roof method under RAS 150 for all roofing work countywide.

Miami-Dade County Hurricane-Zone Roofing Standards

Some Restrictions

Miami-Dade County Code § 8-2(a)

(a)The High Velocity Hurricane Zone roofing requirements with accompanying Roofing Application Standards (RAS) (Florida Building Code Sec. 1512.2). Exception: The prescriptive BUR requirements in RAS 150 shall not be implemented in Miami-Dade County (Florida Building Code RAS 150).

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Flood Elevation

New and substantially improved homes in Miami-Dade's flood hazard areas must have their lowest floor built at or above the base flood elevation plus freeboard, not just to the federal minimum.

Miami-Dade County Flood Elevation Rules

Some Restrictions

Miami-Dade County Code § 11C-5(b)(1)

(b)Residential structures. No new construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure shall be permitted in an SFHA, and no building permit shall be issued therefor, unless said new construction, reconstruction, or substantial improvement complies with the following:(1)The structure's lowest floor (including basement) and any attached garages or enclosures and detached accessor...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Storm Debris

Miami-Dade requires residents and businesses to secure outdoor loose objects the moment a tropical storm or hurricane advisory is issued, so they don't become windborne debris.

Miami-Dade Loose Debris Securing Rule

Some Restrictions

Miami-Dade County Code § 8B-18

When a severe weather advisory is issued for Miami-Dade County, or any portion thereof, any loose object as defined herein shall be secured by either: (a) storage of such loose object in a building or structure or (b) bracing, bundling or fastening such loose object to a fixed structure or otherwise in a manner sufficient to prevent such loose object from becoming windborne during a severe weat...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗