The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
BILL: SB 1018
INTRODUCER: Senator Trumbull
SUBJECT: Flood Damage Prevention
DATE: March 24, 2023 REVISED:
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Hunter Ryon CA Favorable
2. Barriero Rogers EN Favorable
3. RC
I. Summary:
SB 1018, which may be cited as the Flood Damage Prevention Act of 2023, provides that
voluntary freeboard may not be used in the calculation of the maximum allowable height in the
applicable zoning district for certain new and substantially improved structures. The bill provides
that the maximum voluntary freeboard is nine feet within coastal high-hazard areas and four feet
in all other areas. Freeboard, in the context of flood elevation requirements, generally refers to
elevating a building’s lowest floor above the base flood elevation and is usually expressed in
terms of feet. Voluntary freeboard means the additional height above the freeboard required by
the floodplain management regulations and the Florida Building Code.
The bill authorizes a local government to adopt by ordinance minimum freeboard requirements
or a maximum voluntary freeboard that exceeds the requirements in the bill or the Florida
Building Code.
In addition, the bill directs the Florida Building Commission to develop and adopt minimum
freeboard requirements by November 1, 2023, and incorporate such requirements into the next
edition of the Florida Building Code. Beginning January 2028, and every 5 years thereafter, the
commission must review the freeboard requirements in the Florida Building Code and make
recommendations to the Legislature regarding any necessary revisions to such requirements.
BILL: SB 1018 Page 2
II. Present Situation:
The Florida Building Code
In 1974, Florida passed legislation requiring all local governments to adopt and enforce a
minimum building code that would ensure that Florida’s minimum standards were met.1 Local
governments could choose from four separate model codes. The state’s role was limited to
adopting all or relevant parts of new editions of the four model codes. Local governments could
amend and enforce their local codes as they saw fit.2
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew destroyed many structures that were built according to code,
demonstrating that Florida’s system of local codes was flawed. The Governor appointed a study
commission to review the system of local codes and make recommendations for its
modernization. The 1998 Legislature adopted the study commission’s recommendations for a
single state building code and enhanced the oversight role of the state over local code
enforcement. The 2000 Legislature authorized implementation of the Building Code, and that
first edition replaced all local codes on March 1, 2002.3
The Building Code is updated every three years.4 The current edition of the Building Code is the
seventh edition, which is referred to as the 2020 Florida Building Code. The next edition of the
Building Code will take effect on December 31, 2023.5
Chapter 553, part IV, F.S., is known as the Florida Building Codes Act. The purpose and intent
of the act is to provide a mechanism for the uniform adoption, updating, interpretation, and
enforcement of a single, unified state building code. The Building Code must be applied,
administered, and enforced uniformly and consistently from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.6
Local governments may adopt amendments (though not more than once every six months) to the
technical provisions of the Building Code that apply solely within the jurisdiction of such
government and that provide for more stringent requirements than those specified in the Building
Code.7 A local government must determine there is a need to strengthen the requirements of the
Building Code based on a review of local conditions.8 Such amendments may not introduce a
new subject not addressed in the Building Code.9 Most technical amendments sunset upon
adoption of the newest edition of the Building Code, unless adopted into the Building Code.10
1
Dep’t of Community Affairs, The Florida Building Commission Report to the 2006 Legislature, 4 (2006), available
at http://www.floridabuilding.org/fbc/publications/2006_Legislature_Rpt_rev2.pdf (last visited Mar. 17, 2023).
2
Id.
3
Id.; Dep’t of Business and Professional Regulation, Building Code Information System,
https://floridabuilding.org/c/default.aspx (last visited Mar 21, 2023).
4
See Florida Building Commission, Florida Building Codes and Effective Dates, available at
https://www.floridabuilding.org/fbc/Publications/2023_Effective_Dates.pdf.
5
Id.
6
Section 553.72(1), F.S.
7
Section 553.73(4)(b), F.S.
8
Section 553.73(4)(b)1., F.S.
9
Section 553.73(4)(b)3., F.S.
10
Section 553.73(4)(e), F.S.
BILL: SB 1018 Page 3
The Florida Building Commission (commission) was statutorily created to implement the
Building Code.11 The commission, which is housed within the Department of Business and
Professional Regulation, is a 19-member technical body made up of design professionals,
contractors, and government experts in various disciplines covered by the Building Code.12 The
commission reviews International Codes published by the International Code Council,13 the
National Electric Code, and other nationally adopted model codes during its triennial update of
the Building Code.14
Local Enforcement of the Florida Building Code
Local governments have the power to inspect all buildings, structures, and facilities within their
jurisdiction in protection of the public’s health, safety, and welfare.15 Every local government
must enforce the Building Code and issue building permits.16 It is unlawful for a person, firm, or
corporation to construct, erect, alter, repair, secure, or demolish any building without first
obtaining a permit from the local government enforcing agency or from such persons as may, by
resolution or regulation, be directed to issue such permit.17 Any construction work that requires a
building permit also requires plans and inspections to ensure the work complies with the
Building Code, including certain building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas
inspections.18 Construction work may not be done beyond a certain point until it passes an
inspection.19
National Flood Insurance Program
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was created by the passage of the National Flood
Insurance Act of 1968.20 The NFIP is administered by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) and provides homeowners, business owners, and renters in flood-prone areas
the ability to purchase flood insurance protection from the federal government.21 The general
purpose of the NFIP is both to offer primary flood insurance to properties with significant flood
risk and to reduce flood risk through the adoption of floodplain management standards.
Participation in the NFIP is voluntary.22 Within participating communities, the federal
11
See section 553.74(1), F.S.
12
Id.
13
The International Code Council (ICC) is an association that develops model codes and standards used in the design,
building, and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. ICC, About the ICC,
https://www.iccsafe.org/about/who-we-are/ (last visited March 21, 2023).
14
Section 553.73(3), F.S.
15
Section 553.72(2), F.S.
16
Sections 125.01(1)(bb), 125.56(1), and 553.80(1), F.S.
17
Sections 125.56(4)(a) and 553.79(1), F.S.
18
Int’l Code Council, 2020 Florida Building Code: 7th Edition, section 110, available at
https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/FLBC2020P1/chapter-1-scope-and-administration#FLBC2020P1_Ch01_SubCh02.
19
Id.
20
FEMA, 50 Years of the NFIP, available at https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-
05/NFIP_50th_Final_8.5x11_Regional_Printable.pdf.
21
Benefits.gov, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), available at https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/435 (last visited
March 10, 2023)
22
FEMA, Participation in the NFIP, https://www.fema.gov/glossary/participation-
nfip#:~:text=Participation%20in%20the%20National%20Flood%20Insurance%20Program%20%28NFIP%29,of%20intent%
20to%20participate%20and%20cooperate%20with%20FEMA%3B (last visited Mar. 21, 2023).
BILL: SB 1018 Page 4
government makes flood insurance available throughout the community.23 To join, a community
must:
Complete an application;
Adopt a resolution of intent to participate and cooperate with FEMA; and
Adopt and submit a floodplain management ordinance that meets or exceeds the minimum
NFIP criteria.24
In coordination with participating communities, FEMA develops flood maps called Flood
Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that depict the community’s flood risk and floodplain.25 While
FEMA is largely responsible for the creation of the FIRM, the community itself must pass the
map into its local regulations in order for the map to be effective.26 An area of specific focus on
the FIRM is the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).27 The SFHA is intended to distinguish the
flood risk zones that have a chance of flooding during a 1-in-100 year flood or greater frequency.
This means that properties in the SFHA have a risk of 1 percent or greater risk of flooding every
year28 (and at least a 26 percent chance of flooding over the course of a 30-year mortgage).29 In a
community that participates in the NFIP, owners of properties in the mapped SFHA are required
to purchase flood insurance as a condition of receiving a federally backed mortgage.30
Key conditions of the NFIP minimum floodplain management standards include, among
things, that communities:
Require permits for development in the SFHA;
Require elevation of the lowest floor of all new residential buildings in the SFHA to or above
the base flood elevation;
Restrict development in floodways to prevent increasing the risk of flooding; and
Require certain construction materials and methods that minimize future flood damage.31
Base Flood Elevation
A base flood is a flood that has a one percent chance of occurring during any given year.32
The base flood elevation (BFE) is how high floodwater is likely to rise during a one-percent-
annual-chance flood event (base flood).33 BFEs are measured from a reference point called
23
Id.
24
Id.
25
See Congressional Research Service, Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program, 3 (2023), available at
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R44593.
26
Id.
27
Id.
28
Id.
29
FEMA, Coastal Hazards & Flood Mapping: A Visual Guide, 6, available at
https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_coastal-glossary.pdf.
30
Congressional Research Service, Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program at 10. Such lenders include federal
agency lenders, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac,
and federally regulated lending institutions, such as banks covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or
the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Id.
31
Congressional Research Service, Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program, 6 (2023), available at
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R44593.
32
FEMA, Coastal Hazards & Flood Mapping: A Visual Guide, 6, available at
https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_coastal-glossary.pdf.
33
Id.
BILL: SB 1018 Page 5
NAVD88, which is approximately equal to sea level, and vary widely across geographies.34 The
BFE represents the minimum elevation of construction allowed by the NFIP. 35
Base Flood Elevation36
Freeboard
Freeboard, usually expressed in feet above flood level, is an additional amount of height above
the BFE used as a factor of safety in determining the level at which a structure’s lowest floor
must be elevated or flood-proofed to be in accordance with state or community floodplain
management regulations.37 Freeboard helps to compensate for many unknown factors that could
contribute to flooding and results in significantly lower flood insurance rates due to lower flood
risk.38 Freeboard is not required by NFIP eligibility standards, but FEMA encourages
communities to adopt at least one foot of freeboard.39
The Building Code requires all buildings located in a flood hazard area to be built an additional
one foot higher.40 However, many Florida communities adopt requirements for additional
elevation above the minimum in the Building Code, ranging from two to five feet above the
BFE. Local freeboard requirements are incorporated via technical amendments to the Building
Code.41 Florida Statutes specifically authorizes counties and municipalities to adopt
administrative or technical amendment to the Building Code relating to flood resistance in order
34
Id.
35
See FEMA, Residential Buildings with Basements, https://www.fema.gov/floodplain-management/manage-risk/residential-
buildings-
basements#:~:text=Since%201971%2C%20the%20National%20Flood%20Insurance%20Program%20%28NFIP%29,Zones
%20only%29%20to%20the%20Base%20Flood%20Elevation%20%28BFE%29 (last visited Mar. 21, 2023).
36
FEMA, Coastal Hazards & Flood Mapping: A Visual Guide, 6, available at
https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_coastal-glossary.pdf.
37
FEMA, Freeboard, https://www.fema.gov/glossary/freeboard (last visited Mar. 21, 2023)
38
Id.
39
Id.
40
Int’l Code Council, 2020 Florida Building Code: 7th Edition, section R322.2.1, available at
https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/FLBC2020P1/chapter-1-scope-and-administration#FLBC2020P1_Ch01_SubCh02.
41
Wilton Manors, FL. Ordinance No, 2020-004 s. 2, 5-26-20, City of Miami Beach Flood Plain Management, Sec. 54-35. –
Definitions.
BILL: SB 1018 Page 6
to implement the NFIP or other incentives.42 Flood-related local amendments that require a
design flood elevation above the BFE are not subject to sunset upon adoption of the newest
edition of the Building Code.43
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
Section 1 provides that this act may be cited as the “Flood Damage Prevention Act of 2023.”
Section 2 creates s. 553.845, F.S., regarding flood damage prevention. The bill includes the
following findings:
The state is vulnerable to the adverse effects of flooding resulting from the frequency and
intensity of rainfall and an increase in storm surge and sea level rise. These adverse effects
pose a significant risk to existing and future structures in the state.
Public and private investments in our communities are important for economic growth, and
protecting all structures from flooding is essential to maintaining resilient communities.
The mitigation of property damage constitutes a valid and recognized objective of the Florida
Building Code.
It is important to develop a consistent, statewide approach to minimizing flooding in the state
to mitigate property damage and encourage continued investment in our communities.
Minimum freeboard requirements are critical to addressing the devastating effects of
flooding, and delaying the adoption and implementation of such requirements constitutes a
threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the state.
The bill provides that the maximum voluntary freeboard for all new construction and substantial
improvements to existing construction, whether residential, commercial, industrial, or
nonresidential, is four feet. The bill defines “freeboard” as the additional height, usually
expressed as a factor of safety in feet, above the base flood elevation in determining the level at
which a structure’s lowest floor or the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member must be
elevated in accordance with floodplain management regulations and the Florida Building Code.
If a base flood elevation is not determined for a structure that is not located in a special flood
hazard area as designated by a Flood In