Hialeah, FL Hurricane Preparedness: Hurricane Shutters (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitted closed uses
- Emergency, broken opening, after-hours, vacancy
- Post-emergency removal deadline
- 30 days after declaration ends
- Broken window/door coverage limit
- 30 days
- Default state
- Open, unlocked, panels removed
- First offense penalty
- $150
- Subsequent violation penalty
- $300
Summary
Hialeah only allows storm shutters and similar hurricane protection to stay closed during a declared emergency, to cover a broken window for up to 30 days, to secure a business after hours, or to protect a vacant property. Leaving them shut the rest of the time is a code violation with civil fines attached.
(a)Permissible use of storm shutters. Storm shutters, or other approved hurricane protection devices, such as panels, accordions, or awnings shall be designed, installed and utilized in accordance with the requirements of the Florida Building Code and Florida Fire Prevention Code. The temporary use of storm shutters and other approved protection devices shall be permitted on windows and doors only as follows:(1)During a declared state of emergency, which shall include without limitation, a hurricane, severe weather event, or other natural or manmade disaster in the city, as declared by the city, the State of Florida, or the federal government. Such storm shutters, awnings, panels or other approved protection devices shall be removed no later than 30 days after the declared emergency has ended or elapsed, unless a subsequent emergency is forecasted to occur within 72 hours after the thirtieth day, at which point the 30-day period begins anew, until all emergency declarations have been lifted.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 50-30(a), adopted by Ord. No. 2019-056 effective August 13, 2019, requires storm shutters, panels, accordions or awnings to be designed and installed to Florida Building Code and Florida Fire Prevention Code standards, and limits their temporary closed use to four situations: during a declared state of emergency (hurricane, severe weather or other disaster declared by the city, state or federal government), removed no later than 30 days after the emergency ends unless another emergency is forecast within 72 hours of that deadline, in which case the 30-day clock restarts; to protect a broken or malfunctioning window or door for up to 30 days; to secure a commercial property after business hours; or to secure a vacant dwelling or commercial property during the vacancy.
Sec. 50-30(b) requires that whenever shutters aren't actively covering an opening for one of those permitted reasons, pre-installed units must be left open and unlocked, and any removable panels must be taken down and stored, not left mounted on the building. Sec. 50-30(c) sets the enforcement penalty directly in the shutter section itself rather than through the general Sec. 22-190 schedule.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 50-30(c) sets a civil penalty of $150 for a first offense and $300 for each subsequent violation of the shutter-use restrictions, issued and processed through the code enforcement procedures in chapter 22.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my hurricane shutters closed all year in Hialeah?
How long can I leave storm shutters up after a hurricane warning ends in Hialeah?
What's the penalty for leaving shutters closed without a valid reason in Hialeah?
Can I shutter a vacant rental property I own in Hialeah indefinitely?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hialeah
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hialeah to another location·View the Florida hurricane preparedness overview
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