Miami, FL Hurricane Preparedness: Roof Standards (2026)

Under the Florida Building Code HVHZ provisions, roofing systems in Miami-Dade County must meet testing standards TAS 101 (wind uplift testing for roof assemblies), TAS 102 (static uplift resistance), and TAS 103 (dynamic wind uplift testing). Roof-to-wall connections are critical — the FBC requires hurricane straps or clips rated for the design wind speed (170-200+ mph in HVHZ). Toe-nailing alone is not permitted for new construction; metal connectors are mandatory. Roof decking must be attached with ring-shank nails at 6-inch spacing (or 4-inch at edges) for plywood/OSB panels. A secondary water barrier is required — either a self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen underlayment or a foam adhesive system over the entire roof deck. This prevents water intrusion even if the primary roof covering is blown off. Re-roofing triggers full HVHZ compliance — you cannot simply overlay new shingles on old. Flat/low-slope roofs common in Miami must meet additional uplift resistance criteria per FBC Section 1523. All roofing products must carry Florida Product Approval for HVHZ use. Permit inspections include verification of deck nailing patterns, strap installation, and underlayment application before the final covering is installed.