{"id":16,"date":"2026-06-10T21:45:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T21:45:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mysticpointe500owners.org\/?page_id=16"},"modified":"2026-06-21T00:05:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T00:05:12","slug":"understanding-floridas-building-certification-requirements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mysticpointe500owners.org\/?page_id=16","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Building Certification Requirements in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why Were These Laws Passed?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On June 24, 2021, the Champlain Towers South condominium, located in Surfside, Florida, suffered a partial collapse that resulted in the tragic loss of 98 lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The collapse occurred just a few miles south of Mystic Pointe and shocked residents across Florida and the country. In response, Florida lawmakers passed sweeping reforms to condominium safety laws, aiming to identify structural issues before they pose a danger..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Do the New Laws Require?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The legislation enacted in 2022 and subsequently amended in 2023 and 2025 established state requirements for structural milestone inspections and for the funding of reserves earmarked for structural repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For most condominium buildings of three or more stories, the law requires periodic inspections conducted by a Professional Engineer (PE) or an architect licensed in the State of Florida. Generally, these inspections are required when the building reaches 30 years of age\u2014or 25 years in certain coastal areas\u2014and must be repeated every 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is a Structural Milestone Inspection?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A structural milestone inspection does not constitute an order to perform a specific repair or replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The law requires a licensed engineer or architect to inspect the building and determine whether significant structural deterioration exists and what corrective actions might be necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inspection process typically begins with a visual assessment known as Phase I. If significant structural deterioration is identified, a more detailed inspection\u2014referred to as Phase II\u2014may be required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of the process is simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Inspect the building.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Identify potential structural issues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Determine which repairs or replacements are necessary.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Carry out the necessary repairs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Certify that the building is structurally safe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    What the Law Does Not Require<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The law does not require all buildings to undergo the same repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The law does not mandate the replacement of all components simply because they have been in use for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The law does not require the complete replacement of a structure solely because it has reached a certain age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Instead, the necessary work must be based on the findings and recommendations of the licensed professionals inspecting the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Concerns Expressed by Property Owners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Many condo owners across Florida have expressed concerns regarding how these new laws are being implemented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Frequently raised questions include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Are recommended projects always supported by inspection findings?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Are repair alternatives being adequately considered before approving major replacement projects?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Do owners receive sufficient information to evaluate significant expenses?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Are engineering firms, consultants, contractors, and associations acting with the necessary independence and transparency?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      These questions are not unique to Mystic Pointe Tower 500. Similar concerns have been voiced by condo owners throughout Florida as associations work to comply with the legislation passed following the Surfside tragedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Why Is It Important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      All owners want to live in a safe building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The challenge lies in ensuring that safety-related decisions are based on sound engineering criteria, complete information, transparent decision-making processes, and responsible management of the Association’s funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The purpose of this website is not to oppose necessary repairs. Its goal is to help owners understand the facts, review available documentation, and participate in decisions that affect our homes and our investment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Why Were These Laws Passed? On June 24, 2021, the Champlain Towers South condominium, located in Surfside, Florida, suffered a partial collapse that resulted in the tragic loss of 98 lives. The collapse occurred just a few miles south of Mystic Pointe and shocked residents across Florida and the country. In response, Florida lawmakers passed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-16","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mysticpointe500owners.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mysticpointe500owners.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mysticpointe500owners.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mysticpointe500owners.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mysticpointe500owners.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/mysticpointe500owners.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":111,"href":"https:\/\/mysticpointe500owners.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16\/revisions\/111"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mysticpointe500owners.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}