One state has stood out in its readiness: Florida. Often ground zero for hurricanes, Florida has prioritized the resilience of the structures that make up its communities for decades. Its model offers a powerful example of what is possible when modern building codes are universally adopted.
Adverse experiences often catalyze change, and Florida’s approach to building codes is no exception. The turning point for Florida came after the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which caused over $27 billion in damages. The storm exposed widespread weaknesses in building practices and enforcement. In the aftermath, state leaders, builders and safety experts recognized that the state’s fragmented system of local codes left communities vulnerable.
In response, in 1996 Gov. Lawton Chiles established the Building Codes Study Commission, bringing together state officials, builders, fire safety experts, insurers and engineers to chart a new course. By 2002, Florida had launched its first statewide building code, consolidating the 67 counties and more than 400 municipalities into a single standard rooted in model building codes developed by the International Code Council, a national building safety nonprofit. This effort was built on five core principles:
• A single, statewide building code without requiring subsequent adoption by local jurisdictions.
• A three-year update cycle, overseen by the Florida Building Commission, to integrate the latest advances in building science and technology into the code.
• Robust implementation at the local level through a clear system of compliance.
• A transparent amendment process with opportunities for all parties to address local and regional concerns.
• A streamlined product evaluation pathway that, while requiring independent testing for new products, is efficient and affordable.
Florida’s decision to strengthen building codes has paid off, saving lives and avoiding economic losses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates that Florida’s statewide code helps the state and its residents avoid more than $1 billion in losses annually. These are savings that ripple across the insurance sector and local economies.
Codes’ resilience benefits also extend into home financing. A study by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety and CoreLogic found that modern building codes like Florida’s reduced the expected spike in post-hurricane mortgage delinquencies by about 50 percent.
Florida ranks third among the states in GDP growth, second in population growth and second in new housing units permitted. Florida’s success in delivering disaster resilience, helping to preserve lives and economic prosperity, offers a compelling example of what is possible across America.
The National Institute of Building Sciences found that for every $1 spent on adopting hazard-resistant building codes, $11 is saved. Yet only 21 percent of natural hazard-prone jurisdictions have adopted these codes.
That’s not to say there hasn’t been progress. In recent years, some states beyond Florida have taken steps to mitigate their disaster risks by embracing stronger building codes. Colorado adopted a statewide code after the 2021 Marshall Fire, for example, and Illinois did so after the 2021 Naperville-Woodridge tornado. Other states and communities can take similar steps toward code modernization and get support from federal agencies and building safety organizations like the International Code Council.
Florida has shown that resilience is achievable, affordable and replicable. As state and local officials plan for the next storm, flood or fire, they should look to Florida as a beacon of progress.
Daniel Kaniewski, a former deputy administrator for resilience at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is the U.S. public-sector leader at Marsh McLennan, a professional services firm specializing in risk, strategy and workforce optimization.
Governing’s opinion columns reflect the views of their authors and not necessarily those of Governing’s editors or management.
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