Impact Window Permits and Florida Building Code Rules
An impact window permit is required to replace windows or exterior doors in Florida, issued by your city or county building department. In wind-borne debris regions, which cover much of coastal Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida, new windows and doors must be impact resistant or protected. A licensed contractor normally pulls the permit and schedules the inspections.
Do You Need an Impact Window Permit in Florida?
Yes. Florida jurisdictions require a building permit to replace windows and exterior doors. The permit process confirms the products are approved for use in Florida, their design pressure and impact ratings fit your home, and they are installed to the manufacturer’s approved instructions.
Skipping the impact window permit creates problems later. Unpermitted work may need to be opened up for inspection, can complicate a sale, and may not be accepted by a wind mitigation inspector as documented opening protection. My Safe Florida Home also requires permits to be closed before its final inspection.
What Is the Wind-Borne Debris Region?
The Florida Building Code requires windows and doors in wind-borne debris regions to be impact resistant or protected by an approved impact-resistant covering. The region includes:
- Areas where the ultimate design wind speed is 140 mph or greater.
- Areas within one mile of the coast where the ultimate design wind speed is 130 mph or greater.
Much of coastal Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida falls within these zones, but the requirement depends on your exact address. Design wind speeds come from the maps adopted in the code, and your building department confirms what applies when it reviews your impact window permit. Some homeowners outside the region still choose impact products for protection, security, and insurance reasons.
Who Pulls the Impact Window Permit?
In most replacement projects, the licensed contractor pulls the permit. Storm Pro Window and Door secures permits for our customers under our Florida contractor license, CRC1334277. The application typically includes product approval numbers, opening sizes and locations, and design pressure requirements. See how approval numbers work in our Florida product approval guide.
Florida law lets some owners act as their own contractor under an owner-builder exemption, but the owner then takes responsibility for code compliance and inspections. For grants and insurance documentation, a licensed contractor’s permit is usually simplest. Verify any contractor’s license at myfloridalicense.com.
What Inspections Come With an Impact Window Permit?
Steps vary by jurisdiction. Common patterns:
- Installation or in-progress inspection: the inspector checks fasteners, anchoring, and installation against the product approval's instructions. Some jurisdictions accept photos or affidavits for certain steps.
- Final inspection: the inspector confirms the approved products are installed and the permit can be closed.
Storm Pro schedules inspections and tells you whether you need to be home. Our installation process also covers drop cloths, removal and recycling of old units, and cleanup.
What About Egress Windows in Bedrooms?
Sleeping rooms need an emergency escape and rescue opening. According to Pinellas County’s summary of the 2023 Florida Building Code, these generally need:
- A net clear opening of at least 5.7 square feet (5 square feet at grade floor).
- A net clear opening at least 24 inches high and 20 inches wide.
- A sill no more than 44 inches above the floor.
The code exempts some replacement windows from these dimensions when conditions are met, such as fitting the existing frame or rough opening and matching or improving the existing operating style and opening area. Storm Pro checks egress in every bedroom before recommending a style or submitting the impact window permit, because swapping a bedroom window for a fixed picture window can create a code problem.
Building Departments in Our Service Area
Your property appraiser record shows whether your address is inside city limits. Storm Pro pulls permits in all eight counties from our Tarpon Springs and Fort Myers showrooms.
The building department with jurisdiction over your address issues the impact window permit. For unincorporated areas that is the county; many cities run their own.
Pinellas
County for unincorporated areas; St. Petersburg and Clearwater issue their own permits.
Pasco
County for unincorporated areas, which covers much of the county.
Hillsborough
County for unincorporated areas; the City of Tampa issues its own.
Hernando
County for unincorporated areas, including Spring Hill.
Lee
County for unincorporated areas; Fort Myers and Cape Coral issue their own.
Charlotte
County for unincorporated areas, including Port Charlotte; Punta Gorda may handle permits within city limits.
Sarasota
County for unincorporated areas; the City of Sarasota issues its own.
Manatee
County for unincorporated areas; the City of Bradenton issues its own.
Records to Keep After Your Impact Window Permit Closes
- Permit number and final inspection approval.
- Product approval or NOA numbers for every window and door.
- The contractor's invoice listing each opening.
- Photos of labels and each installed opening.
- Your updated wind mitigation form.
These records support wind mitigation insurance discounts, grant draw requests, the sales tax refund, and a future sale. Condo owners should also see our condo and HOA guide, since board approval comes before the permit.
This page is general information, not legal or code advice. Code requirements are determined by your local building official.
Official Sources
Every rule, number and deadline on this page comes from the agencies below. Check them directly anytime.
01
02
03
American Society of Civil Engineers
ascehazardtool.org ↗
04
Florida Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation
myfloridalicense.com ↗
05
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to replace windows in Florida?
Yes. Florida jurisdictions require a building permit for window and exterior door replacement. The permit confirms the products are approved, rated for your home’s wind loads, and installed correctly. A licensed contractor typically pulls the permit and schedules the inspections.
Are impact windows required by code in Florida?
In wind-borne debris regions, the Florida Building Code requires windows and doors to be impact resistant or protected by approved coverings such as code-approved shutters. These regions include areas with ultimate design wind speeds of 140 mph or more, and areas within one mile of the coast at 130 mph or more.
Who is responsible for getting the permit?
Usually the licensed contractor. Storm Pro secures permits for our customers under our Florida license. Owners can sometimes pull their own under an owner-builder exemption, but then take responsibility for code compliance, inspections, and any problems found. Grant programs also require a licensed contractor.
Can I replace a bedroom window with a fixed window?
Usually not, if that window is the room’s required emergency escape opening. Bedrooms need an operable opening that meets minimum size and sill height rules, such as a sill no higher than 44 inches above the floor. Your contractor should check egress before recommending a style for any sleeping room.
How long does an impact window permit take?
It varies by jurisdiction and workload. Some building departments process window replacement permits quickly, while others take longer, especially after a major storm. Your contractor can tell you current timing for your city or county.
What should I keep after my windows are installed?
Keep the permit number and final approval, product approval numbers, the itemized invoice, label photos, and your updated wind mitigation form. These support insurance discounts, grant and refund paperwork, and questions from buyers. Store copies on paper and in cloud storage so they survive a storm.