New §553.8445, Florida Statutes (Created by SB 1178, effective July 1, 2025)
Florida Statutory Amendment — Windows, Doors, and Hurricane Protection
Amendment to §718.113, Florida Statutes (Effective July 1, 2024)
House Bill 1021 amended §718.113(5), F.S., expanding the authority of condominium boards to install or require installation of various types of hurricane protection—including shutters, impact-resistant glass, code-compliant windows/doors, and related products—on all residential and mixed-use structures, even those constructed prior to July 1, 2024
The law clarifies that costs associated with installation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and operation of hurricane protection:
Are common expenses when required by the association,
Non-required costs are individual unit-owner assessments, and
Unit owners who already have code-compliant protection receive credits toward future assessments
Additionally, the act defines such work as non-material alterations to common elements and streamlines board/owner responsibilities and procedures
New §553.8445, Florida Statutes (Created by SB 1178, effective July 1, 2025)
This new section mandates that all exterior sliding glass doors in residential dwellings—including condominiums—must adhere to stringent protections to prevent water intrusion in winds of up to 100 mph, as a prerequisite for: