What Is a Florida Wind Zone?

Florida wind zones are geographic areas defined by the Florida Building Code and ASCE 7 based on design wind speed. The design wind speed is the 3-second gust wind speed with a specified return period (typically 700-year return period for Risk Category II buildings). Florida has some of the highest design wind speeds in the continental United States due to its exposure to hurricanes and tropical storms. Design wind speeds in Florida range from approximately 120 mph in inland areas to 180+ mph in the Florida Keys.

In addition to wind speed, Florida buildings are designed for a specific wind exposure category based on the surrounding terrain: Exposure B applies to suburban and wooded areas with numerous closely spaced obstructions; Exposure C applies to open terrain with scattered obstructions, including most coastal areas; and Exposure D applies to flat, unobstructed areas facing large bodies of water. Most Florida coastal properties are in Exposure C or D, which results in higher design wind pressures than inland Exposure B locations.

Miami-Dade and Broward counties are designated as the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) under the Florida Building Code. The HVHZ has the most stringent wind-resistant construction requirements in Florida, including: product approval requirements for all exterior openings (windows, doors, skylights); specific requirements for roofing systems; and enhanced structural requirements for connections and fastening. Products used in the HVHZ must be approved through the Florida Product Approval system or the Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) process.

Pineland Engineering (PE 39202 · AR102594) designs wind-resistant structures throughout Florida, including HVHZ projects in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Our services include: wind load calculations per ASCE 7 and the Florida Building Code; structural design for wind resistance; hurricane strap and connector design; product approval specification; and wind mitigation documentation. We serve all 67 Florida counties. Call (239) 233-5133 for a free wind zone design consultation.