Florida AHJ
Solar permit requirements in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Solar installations in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, must adhere to specific local building and flood ordinances. These requirements ensure all solar energy systems meet safety standards for the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.
Requirements at a glance
- Design wind speed
- 170 mph (ASCE)
- Exposure category
- C
- Ground snow load
- 0 psf
- High-velocity hurricane zone
- Yes
- Submission format
- Digital submission
- Separate discipline files
- No
What Fort Lauderdale expects on a solar permit
Fort Lauderdale requires structural designs to account for 170 mph wind speeds and Exposure Category C per FBC 2023 and ASCE 7-22. Installations must specify lag screw penetration into trusses with a minimum of 3 inches of embedment and include a sealed Engineer Letter of Compliance or special inspection report. All submissions must be provided in a digital format. Electrical equipment, including meters and service machinery, must be elevated to a minimum of BFE + 1.4 feet NAVD. All new equipment heights must be documented in NAVD on the Electrical Riser Diagram per City Ordinance Sec. 14-17.
- [calcs] Design structural calculations for 170 mph wind speed and Exposure Category C per FBC 2023 and ASCE 7-22.
- [structural] Specify lag screw penetration into trusses with a minimum of 3 inches of embedment.
- [documentation] Provide a sealed Engineer Letter of Compliance (LOC) or special inspection report documenting the roof construction and solar installation.
- [electrical] Elevate electrical meter, service, and machinery to a minimum of BFE + 1.4' NAVD (e.g., 6.4' NAVD for flood zone AE-5).
- [electrical] Provide heights in NAVD for all new equipment on the Electrical Riser Diagram per City Ordinance Sec. 14-17.
Design a permit-ready Fort Lauderdale planset with these rules baked in.
Solar Design Lab derives the SLD, electrical, and structural live as you draw, and checks your design against Florida AHJ requirements before you submit. First planset free.