TAMPA, Fla. — Under a new law, homeowners' associations can't deny applications of those who want to install, enhance or replace hurricane protections at their homes.
House Bill 293 went into effect immediately after being signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 28. Owners will be able to harden their homes against storms by upgrading elements and openings to make them more durable during a storm.
This can include features like storm shutters, reinforced roofs, stronger doors and windows and more.
While associations might be able to determine the color of your windows, they won't be able to stop you from protecting your home from future storm damage. The bill states HOAs have to provide physical or digital copies of their rules to all members as of Oct. 1. Their specifications will include the color and style of the hurricane mitigation products.
Here is a list of hurricane protections the bill includes:
- Roof systems recognized by the Florida Building Code which meet ASCE 7-22 standards
- Permanent fixed storm shutters
- Roll-down track storm shutters
- Impact-resistant windows and doors
- Polycarbonate panels
- Reinforced garage doors
- Erosion controls
- Exterior fixed generators
- Fuel storage tanks
- Other hurricane protection products used to preserve and protect the structures or improvements on a parcel governed by the association
The governor signed the bipartisan bill just before the start of hurricane season, which began on June 1 and goes until Nov. 30. In May, forecasters from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the highest pre-season outlook in its history. They predicted 17 to 25 named storms, 8 to 13 hurricanes and 4-7 major hurricanes.
You can learn about how to prepare for hurricane season here.
DeSantis also signed other homeowner-related bills from this year's legislative session including House Bill 1049, which requires sellers of any residential property to disclose flood risks to the buyer before he or she purchases it.
