Sarasota lies in the Florida Building Code Wind-Borne Debris Region with ultimate wind speed of 150+ mph (ASCE 7). Window and door openings must have approved impact protection (rated shutters, impact-rated glass, or panels meeting ASTM E1886 / E1996) for any new construction, substantial improvement, or substantial damage repair.
The Florida Building Code (FBC) Sec. 1609 and ASCE 7 establish design wind requirements. Sarasota's ultimate design wind speed in the latest FBC edition is 150-160 mph depending on exposure category. Wind-Borne Debris Region (WBDR) rules require impact-resistant cladding or protection at all openings. Approved options: storm shutters (accordion, roll-down, Bahama, colonial, panel) tested to ASTM E1886/E1996, or impact-rated glazing (typically laminated glass to ASTM E1886). Plywood is allowed for one-family/two-family dwellings up to 33 ft mean roof height with specific fastening per FBC Sec. 1609.2 - but is not a long-term substitute. Permits for shutter installation are issued through the Building Division.
Building without permits or without code-compliant shutters in WBDR is a Building Code violation - stop-work, refusal of CO, after-the-fact fees, civil penalties up to $500 under Sec. 1-11. Substantial damage repair below code is also a NFIP non-compliance issue.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Sarasota, FL
Beekeeping in Sarasota is governed primarily by Florida state law - F.S. §586 (Honeybee Law) preempts most local regulation of beekeeping. Beekeepers must re...
Sarasota, FL
Sarasota does not have a citywide wildlife-feeding ban, but Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rules under F.A.C. 68A-4.001 prohibit int...
Sarasota, FL
Florida Statute §373.185 (Florida-Friendly Landscaping Act) preempts HOA and local-government bans on Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL). Sarasota homeowners...
Sarasota, FL
The City of Sarasota observes the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) year-round watering restrictions: two days per week for residential ad...
Sarasota, FL
Sarasota's property maintenance rules require lawns and lots to be maintained free of overgrown vegetation. While the Code does not specify an exact maximum ...
Sarasota, FL
Tree trimming in Sarasota is governed by Zoning Code Sec. VII-309 et seq. and ANSI A300 industry standards. Heavy pruning (more than 25% canopy removal) typi...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Sarasota County.
See how other cities in Sarasota County handle hurricane shutters.
See how Sarasota's hurricane shutters rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.