Where Do I Begin? (and other FAQs)
Question: Do I really need a building permit?
Answer: Yes, a permit is required, and it’s in your best interest to obtain one. This permit gives you the peace of mind of knowing that all construction will be inspected to ensure it meets the established building codes, creating a structurally sound and safe environment for its residents.
Question: How can I find products that meet the code requirements?
Answer: Code-compliant products that have been evaluated by the ICC Evaluation Service Inc. are deemed to be code-compliant. Information on code-compliant products can be found at www.icc-es.org/. In addition, Miami-Dade County, Florida, has developed an easy-to-use online searchable database of products that have been approved for use on buildings in their county, which has the most stringent wind resistance criteria in the country.
Question: How much do construction upgrades cost?
Answer: This estimate varies with each individual home, including where the home is built. However, homeowners should plan to invest 3 percent to 5 percent more for construction when adding wind-resistant features and elevating a few extra feet. Construction can be much more costly in the post-disaster time period.
Question: Where can I get more information about my flood and wind risk?
Answer: Basic flood and wind risk is shown on hazard maps that are kept in local permitting offices. Local offices also know about such things as the flood of record and areas that have flooded, even though they aren’t shown as flood-risk areas. For the more complicated issues of subsidence, sea-level rise, and coastal land loss, you may need to work with engineers or engineering departments at the state’s universities.
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