The Florida Building Code defines the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) as Broward and Miami-Dade counties. It does not mean “all of coastal Florida,” and it does not mean the rest of Florida has no hurricane or wind requirements.
What Changes in the HVHZ?
The Florida Building Code contains HVHZ-specific provisions for many building-envelope and structural systems. Product records in the state’s approval database therefore include fields showing whether an approved product is permitted in the HVHZ, outside the HVHZ, or both.
Miami-Dade NOA vs. HVHZ Approval
A Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) is a local product-approval mechanism associated with Miami-Dade’s product-control program. A statewide Florida Product Approval can also identify a system as approved for use in the HVHZ. The important point is to read the actual approval record rather than treating “Miami-Dade,” “Florida approved,” and “HVHZ approved” as synonyms.
For a roof-coating-specific comparison, see Florida Product Approval vs. Miami-Dade NOA.
Outside Broward and Miami-Dade
Homes elsewhere in Florida still must meet the applicable Florida Building Code requirements, including wind-related requirements where relevant. The correct product or assembly can depend on location, building configuration, design pressure and the specific approval’s limits of use.