Wellington, FL Hurricane Preparedness: Roof Standards (2026)

Under Sec. 5-2 (105.15 Opening protection), any building-permit activity applied for on or after July 1, 2008, other than roof covering replacement or repair meant to prevent degradation of the residence, triggers a hurricane opening-protection mandate for site-built single-family detached homes in Wellington's wind-borne debris region once the estimated project cost reaches $50,000 and the home carries an insured value of $750,000 or more. An uninsured home, or one without documented insurance value, is measured instead against a just valuation of $750,000 or more for ad valorem tax purposes.

Once triggered, the owner must install the shutters or impact-rated openings required by the Village's adopted code or the Florida Building Code, Residential, for new construction; the section exempts structures where the wind-borne debris region boundary has not changed. Separately, the roofing inspection under Sec. 5-2 (110.3.A.2.3) covers dry-in, insulation matched to the submitted energy calculations, roof coverings including work in progress, and flashing, and the code specifically requires a re-roof sheathing inspection before any new roof covering can be applied, catching hidden deck damage or missing fasteners before they are sealed under new shingles or tile.

Sec. 5-3 separately amended Florida Building Code Section 1609.3 to add Wellington's own ultimate design wind speed maps for Risk Category I through IV buildings, which the Building Division uses to set the wind loads every roof and structural permit in the Village must be engineered to withstand.