An icon of a document Florida Building Codes

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What are Building Codes? A building code is a collection of laws, regulations, ordinances or other statutory requirements adopted by a government legislative authority involved with the physical structure and healthful conditions for occupants of buildings. Building codes are the government's official statement on building safety.

All code requirements
Why do we need Building Codes?

We all need protection from tragedy due to fire, structural collapse and general deterioration in our homes, offices, schools, manufacturing facilities, stores or places of entertainment.

Building codes embrace all aspects of building construction - fire and structural items as well as the plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems. They provide safeguards and ensure uniformity in the construction industry. While codes provide the means to reduce risks to an acceptable level, no code can totally eliminate all of the potential hazards. Only through proper design, sound construction practices and effective code administration programs, can owners ensure safe and hazard-free buildings for occupants.

Inspection during construction is the only way to independently verify that compliance has been achieved. Inspections are conducted in homes, offices and factories to verify conformity to minimum standards, prior to the issuance of an occupancy certificate.

Building codes are adopted by a state or local government's legislative body, then enacted to regulate building construction within a particular jurisdiction. The primary purpose of a building code is to regulate new or proposed construction. Building codes only apply to an existing building if the building undergoes reconstruction, rehabilitation or alteration, or if the occupancy of the existing building changes to a new occupancy level as defined by the building code.

When was the Florida Building Code adopted?

The Alachua County Board of County Commissioner by the adoption of Ordinance 02-01 on January 8, 2002, adopted the Florida Building Code with certain administrative amendments, adopted wind speed lines for Alachua County, and adopted a new swimming pool code for Alachua County. The Ordinance took effect on March 1, 2002 at the same time the Florida Building Code became effective throughout the State of Florida. Ordinance 02-01 is now codified in the Alachua County Land Development Code as Chapter 331 and Chapter 334 of the ULDC.

Adopted Codes:


2023 Florida Building Code 8th Edition
Effective date: December 31, 2023

Design and Construction:

Fire and Life Safety:

  • Building Division
  • Building Division
  • County Annex Building, 1st Floor
  • 10 SW 2nd Avenue, Gainesville, Fl 32601
  • Phone: 352-374-5243
  • Fax: 352-491-4510
  • Hours: Mon-Thurs 8:00 am-4:00 pm
  • Hours: Friday 8:00 am-1:00 pm
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