Alachua County, FL Hurricane Preparedness: Hurricane Shutters (2026)
Key Facts
- Cost trigger
- $50,000+ in permitted work
- Value trigger
- $750,000+ insured or assessed value
- Applies to
- Site-built single-family detached homes
- Effective for permits filed
- On or after July 1, 2008
- Enforcing agency
- Alachua County Growth Management Building Division
- Excluded work
- Roof covering replacement/repair
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, separate offense per day
Summary
Alachua County's Building Code requires impact protection on qualifying new or renovated single-family homes in the wind borne debris region. Under County Code § 331.03, adopting Florida Building Code § 105.15, opening protection, shutters, impact glazing or equivalent coverings, is mandatory once permitted work costs $50,000 or more on a home insured or assessed at $750,000 or more. Roof-only work and homes already permitted under the state code are exempt.
105.15 Opening protection. When any activity requiring a building permit, not including roof covering replacement or repair work associated with the prevention of degradation of the residence, that is applied for on or after July 1, 2008, and for which the estimated cost is $50,000 or more for a site built single-family detached residential structure that is located in the wind borne debris region as defined in this Code and that has an insured value of $750,000 or more, or, if the site built single-family detached residential structure is uninsured or for which documentation of insured value is not presented, has a just valuation for the structure for purposes of ad valorem taxation of $750,000 or more; opening protections as required within this Code or Florida Building Code, Residential for new construction shall be provided.
Exception: Single-family residential structures permitted subject to the Florida Building Code are not required to comply with this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
15 of that amended chapter sets the opening-protection trigger. The requirement applies only to site-built, single-family detached residential structures located in the wind borne debris region, and only to building-permit applications filed on or after July 1, 2008. Two independent thresholds must both be met: the estimated cost of the permitted work must be $50,000 or more, and the home itself must carry an insured value of $750,000 or more, or, if it is uninsured or the owner does not present insurance documentation, a just valuation for ad valorem tax purposes of $750,000 or more.
Once both thresholds are crossed, the applicant must provide opening protections meeting the standards of the Florida Building Code, Residential, for new construction, shutters, impact-rated glazing, or another approved covering system for every window, door and other exterior opening. The code carves out two exclusions: roof covering replacement or repair intended to prevent degradation of the residence does not trigger the requirement, and any single-family residence permitted directly under the Florida Building Code is not required to comply with this section. 3 of the same amended chapter before the permit can be closed.
Violations & Fines
Work performed without required opening protection is a Section 331.03 building-code violation. Under Section 114.1, any person who builds or alters a structure without complying with applicable codes may be charged with a misdemeanor, with each day of continued violation treated as a separate offense punishable within state-law limits. The county may also pursue fines, liens or injunctive relief, and Chapter 162, Florida Statutes code-enforcement remedies apply if permit fees were never paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does re-roofing my house trigger the shutter requirement?
What counts toward the $750,000 value threshold?
Is a mobile or manufactured home covered?
Who reviews compliance with this rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alachua County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Alachua County to another location·View the Florida hurricane preparedness overview
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