The roofing industry and the home insurance companies that provide coverage for many roof repairs and replacements have many different laws regarding what can be covered, what actions either roofers or insurance providers need to take, and how homeowners can protect their homes. Homeowners can best leverage their insurance coverage and protect their properties from water damage and leaky roofs by staying up to date on changes in the surrounding laws, including Florida’s roof replacement law regarding 25% damage. Learn more about the changes and how they can impact your finances.
What Is Florida Building Code 25%?
Florida Building Code 25%, or the Florida roof replacement law, was originally enacted to protect homeowners. In the event that a covered residential roof sustained damage of 25% or more from a qualifying event, the roof had to be repaired or replaced in its entirety to comply with state building codes. Lawmakers put this rule into effect because patches only work on small, isolated bits of damage, and if too much of a roof is made from patchwork solutions, the roof becomes less structurally sound. Patches over time might also delay replacement, meaning you would have a roof that falls further and further away from current building codes. This rule means insurance providers have to cover the applicable costs when roof damage triggers the rule.
This provision is even more important in states like Florida, where roofs regularly undergo severe weather events like hurricanes and tropical storms. High humidity, sunny skies, and harsh temperatures also lead to roof degradation. The 25% roof replacement rule does double-duty: it can help stop small but significant damage from accruing over time in tangentially damaged spots, and it can make sure you have a newer and sturdier roof to take on hurricane-level storms than you might otherwise have.
Florida Building Code 25% Reroofing Rule
Florida Building Code – Existing Building §706.1.1 establishes what roofers must do to create, repair, or modify roofs to meet state-wide requirements. Under this provision, roofs permitted before March 1, 2009, are subject to the 25% roofing rule and must be fully repaired or replaced if they take on enough damage to warrant repairs or replacement of over 25% of the roof over 12 months. But for roofs permitted and closed out after this point, the 25% rule does not apply.
How did this change in the Florida roof replacement law come into place? In 2022, Governor DeSantis signed SB4D. Under this law, roofs that were built or replaced to comply with the 2007 Florida Building Code don’t qualify for the rule. Even if damage exceeds 25% of the roof, only the damaged area needs to be repaired or replaced. This largely applies to roofs built after 2009.
Some additional Florida roofing law changes in 2025 include:
- Stricter rules for what insurance companies must cover when repairs are made to older roofs
- Stringent inspection standards, especially in areas more vulnerable to hurricanes
- New standards for roofing materials
Florida Building Code 25% Rule Decision Path
Determining whether the 25% roof replacement rule applies to a property is relatively simple. Inspectors and homeowners can use this quick decision tree to determine if they need to invoke the Florida law for roof replacement:
- Was the current roof permitted after March 1, 2009?
- If yes, only the damaged area needs repairs and replacement, and insurance providers will provide funds based on the event and the terms of the insurance.
- If no, will the roof need repairs or replacements that exceed 25% of the roof (including any other repairs or replacements done within the twelve-month period)?
- If yes, the entire roof will require repairs and replacement, and the insurance provider may need to cover the entire cost.
- If not, only the damaged area requires repairs and replacement.
Contact Us at T & E Roofing to Learn More about Florida’s 25% Roof Replacement Law
At T & E Roofing, we provide services with integrity. Our team is here to help assess your roof, provide you with transparent answers on roofing laws in Florida and what needs repairs or replacements, and navigate the insurance and claims process if your roof is significantly damaged. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or to learn more.
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