For years, Florida homeowners heard the same thing after a storm: if more than 25% of your roof is damaged, the whole roof has to be replaced. In 2022, the state changed that rule. If you're in St. Pete or on the beaches, here's what it means for your next repair.
The old rule
Under the old Florida Building Code rule, if you repaired or replaced more than 25% of a roof within a 12-month period, the entire roof had to be brought up to current code. In practice, a storm that damaged a big section of an older roof often meant paying for a full replacement.
What changed in 2022
A 2022 state law (Florida Statutes section 553.844) added an exception. If your existing roof was built, repaired, or replaced under the 2007 Florida Building Code or a later edition, then only the part being repaired or replaced has to meet the current code, even when it's 25% or more of the roof. Local governments can't make that stricter.
| Your roof | Damage is 25% or more |
|---|---|
| Installed under the 2007 code or later | Only the repaired section has to meet current code |
| Installed before the 2007 code | The old rule can still require bringing the whole roof up to code |
How to tell which group you're in
Your roof permit history tells the story. Many St. Pete and Pinellas permits can be looked up online, and we can help you find yours. In general, roofs permitted after the 2007 code took effect in Florida qualify. Roofs from before that usually don't.
Repair or replace?
Just because you can repair part of the roof doesn't always mean you should. A few things to weigh:
- Age of the rest of the roof. Patching a section of a roof near the end of its life can mean paying twice.
- Insurance. Many insurers look closely at older roofs. A newer roof can make coverage easier to find and may qualify for wind mitigation credits.
- Matching. Shingle colors and tile profiles get discontinued, so a repair may not match perfectly.
This is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Rules change, so check with your building department and insurance agent for your situation.
Not sure what your roof needs? Schedule a roof inspection and we'll give you a straight answer. See our St. Petersburg roofing services.