Florida Impact Windows and Shutters: Approvals, Grants, Discounts

Choose products with Florida product approval or another approved evaluation, and use a licensed contractor who pulls the permit. Before you buy, check whether you qualify for a free hurricane mitigation inspection through My Safe Florida Home, which can recommend improvements and, for eligible homes, fund grants. Insurers must offer discounts for wind mitigation features.

Who licenses hurricane shutters and impact windows providers in Florida

Florida DBPR (contractors) and Florida Building Commission (product approval). Florida Statutes 553.842 requires products needing approval to be approved by a recognized method before use; statewide approval prevents local jurisdictions from requiring more testing when the product is used within its conditions. Search approvals on the Florida Building Commission's site and check the installing contractor on DBPR's license search.

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Key facts for Florida

Florida requires products needing approval to be approved by a recognized method before use in construction.
Florida's product approval law names Miami-Dade County's Product Control Division among recognized evaluation entities.
Statewide product approval keeps local jurisdictions from requiring further testing when a product is used within its approval.
My Safe Florida Home inspections are for site-built, owner-occupied, homesteaded single-family homes and townhouses.
My Safe Florida Home grants require the home's initial building permit application to have been made before January 1, 2008.
Florida requires residential insurance rate filings to include discounts, credits or deductible reductions for windstorm mitigation features.
Florida HOAs may not deny hurricane protection applications that conform to their adopted specifications.

How does product approval work?

Florida Statutes 553.842 requires approval through a recognized method before products that need approval are used. Evaluation entities include Miami-Dade County's Product Control Division, among others. Statewide approval prevents local jurisdictions from requiring more testing when the product is used within its conditions. Search approvals on the Florida Building Commission's site.

What is My Safe Florida Home?

Florida Statutes 215.5586 sets up hurricane mitigation inspections and grants, subject to available funds. Inspections are for site-built, owner-occupied, homesteaded single-family homes and townhouses. Grants also require that the home's original building permit was applied for before January 1, 2008, and that the homeowner agree to a post-project inspection. Apply through My Safe Florida Home.

Will mitigation lower your insurance?

Florida requires residential property insurers' rate filings to include discounts, credits or deductible reductions for windstorm mitigation features (Florida Statutes 627.0629). Ask your insurer which features count and what documentation it needs.

Can your HOA block shutters?

Florida HOAs must adopt hurricane protection specifications and may not deny conforming applications. The law names shutters, impact windows and doors and reinforced garage doors (Section 720.3035). Check the installer's license on the DBPR license search.

How to choose a provider in Florida

Check My Safe Florida Home eligibility before buying.
Confirm the product's Florida approval.
Check the contractor's license on DBPR.
Confirm the permit and inspections.
Ask your insurer which mitigation features earn discounts.
Check your HOA's hurricane protection specifications.

Questions people ask

Do impact windows need approval in Florida?

Products needing approval must be approved by a recognized method; search approvals on the Florida Building Commission's site.

Who qualifies for My Safe Florida Home inspections?

Owners of site-built, owner-occupied, homesteaded single-family homes and townhouses, subject to available funds.

Can newer homes get My Safe Florida Home grants?

Grants require the home's initial building permit application before January 1, 2008.

Do Florida insurers give wind mitigation discounts?

Florida requires rate filings to include discounts or credits for windstorm mitigation features.

Can my HOA refuse impact windows?

Not if they meet the HOA's adopted hurricane protection specifications.

Is Miami-Dade approval recognized statewide?

Florida's law names Miami-Dade's Product Control Division among recognized evaluation entities.

Sources

This guide was written by our editorial team from the public sources listed above. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm licensing and terms directly with any provider.

What should Florida homeowners check before buying impact windows or shutters?