South Florida's two southern counties build to a stricter set of wind rules than the rest of the state. In the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), rooftop equipment has to be secured to the structure for the code's wind loads, conduit on the roof has to be raised off the roof surface, and ground-mounted equipment such as a standby generator comes with pad, anchoring and elevation requirements. This guide collects what the Florida Building Code and the local generator guidance say, from the electrical contractor's side of the job, so the electrical, roofing and structural pieces line up at inspection.
Where the HVHZ applies
The Florida Building Code defines the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone as Broward and Miami-Dade counties (HVHZ definition on UpCodes). Palm Beach County is not in the HVHZ. Palm Beach jobs still design for wind under the code's general provisions, but the HVHZ sections below are written for Broward and Miami-Dade.
Rooftop equipment rules
Section 1522 of the Florida Building Code, Building (8th Edition, 2023) covers HVHZ rooftop structures and components (FBC 1522 on UpCodes; confirm the adopted text with your building department):
- Secured to the structure. All rooftop equipment and supports shall be secured to the structure in compliance with the loading requirements of Chapter 16 (FBC 1522.2).
- No wood sleepers. The same section says the use of wood "sleepers" shall not be permitted (FBC 1522.2).
- Equipment height above the roof. Section 1522.3 sets minimum leg heights for rooftop equipment by equipment width, from 14 inches for equipment up to 24 inches wide to 48 inches for equipment 61 inches wide or more (FBC 1522.3).
- Conduit and service lines. Electrical conduit, mechanical piping or any other service lines running on the roof shall be raised not less than 8 inches above the finished roof surface (FBC 1522.3.4).
For the electrical scope, the 8-inch rule is the one that touches every rooftop job: disconnects for rooftop HVAC units, feeders to rooftop equipment, lighting and receptacle circuits across the roof. The supports that hold the conduit up are rooftop supports, so they have to be secured for the Chapter 16 loads as well. Coordinate the support type with the roofer and the design professional before rough-in; a support that works for the conduit may not be acceptable to the roofing system.
Wind loads on rooftop and exposed equipment
FBC Section 1620.6, in the HVHZ wind load chapter, says wind loads on rooftop equipment and other structures shall be in accordance with Chapter 29 of ASCE 7 (FBC 1620.6 on UpCodes). The section carries an exception worded for mechanical equipment: exposed mechanical equipment or appliances fastened to a roof or installed on the ground in compliance with the code using rated stands, platforms, curbs, slabs, walls or other means are deemed to comply with the wind-resistance requirements. Whether the exception covers a particular electrical item, such as a generator or an outdoor transformer, is for the building official to decide, so ask before you rely on it.
Generator pads and anchoring
A standby generator is ground-mounted equipment that brings wind, flood, fuel and clearance questions together. Two published local documents show what departments have asked for:
- Broward (BORA Policy 06-03, as published by Lauderdale-by-the-Sea): the generator at the base flood or first-floor elevation; clearances to openings per the manufacturer, including a neighbor's openings; any fuel tank at least 10 feet from the structure and the property line; slab and anchoring details; a riser diagram and a load calculation under NEC Article 220; a transfer switch; signage at the service and transfer switch; and CO detectors at openings within 15 feet of the exhaust (Lauderdale-by-the-Sea residential generator guidance).
- Miami-Dade (county generator brochure): the county's brochure has required signed and sealed engineering plans, the generator at least 100 feet from potable wells, and the unit above the base flood elevation or, for residential, the crown of the road plus 8 inches, whichever is higher (Miami-Dade generator brochure). It is an older document; confirm the current checklist.
- Flood hazard areas statewide: the 2023 code added M1905.2.2, which requires standby generators to follow R322.1.6, the rule that electrical equipment be at or above the required flood elevation (Florida Division of Emergency Management flood provisions).
Our generator permit guide covers the full permit package, and flood zone electrical requirements covers elevation.
Wall-mounted exterior equipment
Meter cans, disconnects, panels and EV chargers on an exterior wall are mounted to the manufacturer's instructions and whatever the department's checklist requires for fastening. Since NEC 2020, one- and two-family dwellings also need an emergency disconnect at a readily accessible outdoor location (NEC 230.85, Leviton Captain Code 2020), which puts more equipment on the outside wall. Florida product approval under section 553.842(5) does not list electrical equipment; our product approval and NOA guide explains where an approval can come in (tie-downs and stands, not the equipment).
A coordination checklist for GCs
- Confirm the county: Broward or Miami-Dade means HVHZ rules apply (HVHZ definition).
- Get the rooftop equipment anchorage details from the design professional, and the support method for rooftop conduit.
- Route rooftop conduit at least 8 inches above the finished roof (FBC 1522.3.4), and plan roof penetrations with the roofer.
- For a generator, set the pad elevation against the flood elevation the department requires, and confirm clearances with the manufacturer's instructions.
- Keep the approved details on site for the inspector.
Anchorage and wind-load design belongs to the job's design professional; KRW installs the electrical work to the approved details and handle the electrical permit and inspections on our jobs.
Questions builders ask
Is Palm Beach County in the HVHZ?
No. The HVHZ is Broward and Miami-Dade (FBC definition). Palm Beach County's department applies the code's wind provisions outside the HVHZ sections.
Can rooftop conduit sit on wood blocks?
Section 1522.2 says rooftop equipment and supports must be secured to the structure and that wood sleepers are not permitted (FBC 1522.2). Use a support method the design professional and roofer have approved, and keep the conduit 8 inches above the roof.
Does a generator pad need an engineer?
It depends on the department. Miami-Dade's brochure has required sealed engineering plans (Miami-Dade generator brochure), and Broward's policy asks for slab and anchoring details (Broward policy as published).
Does a rooftop disconnect count as rooftop equipment?
Section 1522.2 applies to all rooftop equipment and supports (FBC 1522.2). Treat a disconnect and its support as equipment that must be secured for Chapter 16 loads, and confirm the detail with the department.
Plan the roof before rough-in
KRW Electric (EC13012832) works across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach on new construction, generator installation and storm readiness. Send us the roof plan and equipment schedule or call (305) 359-7312. For the full picture, start at the South Florida electrical permits guide.
Reviewed by Kyle White, KRW Electric Company LLC — licensed electrical contractor EC13012832.
