Florida enforces the 2020 National Electrical Code today. The Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023) adopts NFPA 70-2020 for both commercial and residential work, with one residential amendment for HVAC equipment (FBC-Residential 2023, E3401.1 and E3408.1). If you are building a new house in Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach, the 2020 NEC is the rulebook your electrical plans and inspections are measured against until the proposed 9th Edition takes effect.
Below is a builder's checklist of the 2020 NEC items that shape a new single-family home: what each one requires in a line, and where to read more. It does not replace the code or your electrical contractor's design, and the building department with jurisdiction has the final word. It is part of our South Florida electrical permits, codes and inspections guide.
Service and panel
- 230.85 emergency disconnect. One- and two-family dwellings need an emergency disconnect at a readily accessible outdoor location: the service disconnect, a marked meter disconnect, or a listed switch or breaker on the supply side. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020. Plan the meter and disconnect location with the architect early, because it drives the exterior elevation.
- 230.67 surge protection. Dwelling services need a Type 1 or Type 2 surge protective device, integral to or immediately adjacent to the service equipment, including when service equipment is replaced. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020. See our surge protection page.
- 408.4(A) circuit directory. The panel needs a circuit directory on the face, inside the door, or in an approved adjacent location. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020.
- 408.43 panel orientation. Panelboards may not be installed face-up. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020.
GFCI protection
- 210.8(A) dwelling locations. GFCI protection now covers 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles on single-phase circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground in bathrooms, garages, outdoors, crawl spaces, basements, kitchen countertops, within 6 ft of sinks, boathouses, within 6 ft of tubs and showers, laundry areas, and indoor damp and wet locations. That pulls in 240-volt dryer and range receptacles in those areas. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020.
- 210.8(D) and 422.5(A) appliances. Appliances listed in 422.5(A), including sump pumps and bottle-fill stations, need GFCI protection, and the dishwasher rule moved there. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020.
- 210.8(E) service receptacles. The receptacles required by 210.63 near HVAC equipment and indoor service equipment need GFCI protection. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020.
- 210.8(F) outdoor outlets, with Florida's exception. Dwelling outdoor outlets up to 150 volts to ground and 50 amperes need GFCI protection. Florida's FBC-Residential E3408.1 adds Exception No. 2: listed and labeled HVAC equipment is exempt (FBC-Residential E3408.1; Leviton Captain Code 2020).
For the full GFCI and AFCI picture, including what changes under the 2023 NEC, see GFCI and AFCI requirements in Florida.
Branch circuits, boxes and receptacles
- 210.11(C)(4) garage circuit. At least one 120-volt, 20-ampere branch circuit supplies the garage receptacle outlets required by 210.52(G)(1), with no other outlets except readily accessible outdoor receptacles. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020.
- 314.27(C) ceiling fan boxes. A ceiling box where a fan could be installed must be listed for fan support or give access to framing for a later support. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020. Miami-Dade's inspection checklist names 314.27(C) at rough (Miami-Dade electrical inspection checklist).
- 406.12 tamper-resistant receptacles. Tamper-resistant receptacles are required in attached and detached garages and accessory buildings. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020.
- 422.5 appliance GFCI. Covered above; confirm the appliance schedule against the list before rough-in. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020.
Generators, EV charging and pools
- 445.18(D) generator shutdown. A standby generator at a one- or two-family home needs an outdoor, readily accessible emergency shutdown; portable cord-connected units are exempt. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020. See generator installation.
- 702.7(A) standby signage. A sign at the 230.85 emergency disconnect must show where the standby source is. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020.
- 625.54 EV receptacles. Receptacles for EV charging need GFCI protection. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020. Our EV charger permit guide covers the permit.
- 680.21(C) and (D) pool motors. GFCI protection is required on all pool pump motors up to 150 volts to ground and 60 amperes, including replacement motors. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020.
- 680.22(A)(5) pool equipment room. A pool equipment room needs a GFCI-protected 125-volt, 15- or 20-ampere receptacle. Source: Leviton Captain Code 2020.
How these items show up at inspection
Most of the checklist is verified at rough and final. Miami-Dade's electrical inspection checklist lists, for the 002 rough inspection, the 300.4 clearance of 1-1/4 in or steel nail plates, 314.16 box fill, 314.27(C) fan boxes, 250.104(B) bonding and interconnected smoke alarms on AFCI circuits (Miami-Dade electrical inspection checklist). Earlier stages cover foundation grounding, underground burial depth per Table 300.5 and slab raceways (same checklist). Palm Beach County uses its own inspection names, such as 205 Rough, 214 Hot Check for single-family homes and 203 Final (Palm Beach County inspection codes).
Rough inspection happens before walls are closed, so box locations, fan-rated boxes and nail plates need to be right at framing. Items such as devices, GFCI and AFCI protection, the panel directory and the outdoor disconnect are finished by final, the last electrical inspection.
A sequencing checklist for the GC
- Design: meter, disconnect and surge device location on the site plan and elevation; panel location away from any face-up mounting; generator and EV charger provisions decided.
- Appliance schedule: ranges, dryers, dishwashers and pool equipment listed with voltages so GFCI breakers are specified.
- Load calculation: service size confirmed; see electrical load calculations for permits.
- Plan review: submittal assembled to the department's checklist; see electrical plan review in South Florida.
- Rough: fan boxes, nail plates, box fill, garage circuit, bonding, smoke alarm circuits.
- Final: devices, GFCI and AFCI protection, labeling, directory, outdoor disconnect, generator signage.
Questions builders ask
Does my new house need a whole-home surge protector?
Yes. Under 230.67 of the 2020 NEC, dwelling services need a Type 1 or Type 2 surge protective device at or next to the service equipment (Leviton Captain Code 2020).
Where does the outdoor emergency disconnect go?
At a readily accessible outdoor location, as the service disconnect, a marked meter disconnect, or a listed switch or breaker on the supply side (Leviton Captain Code 2020). The exact location should be approved on the plans; ask your building department.
Do the A/C condensers need GFCI breakers?
Under Florida's FBC-Residential E3408.1, listed and labeled HVAC equipment is exempt from the 210.8(F) outdoor GFCI rule (FBC-Residential E3408.1). The service receptacle near the unit still needs GFCI protection.
Is the 2023 NEC required on my job?
Not yet. The 9th Edition, which brings the 2023 NEC, is proposed to take effect December 31, 2026 (Florida Administrative Register). See our 9th Edition electrical changes guide.
More on how we work with builders: new construction electrical services, rough-in wiring and finish electrical. For the code framework itself, read Florida Building Code 2023 electrical requirements.
Building a new home in South Florida? Send us the plans and the address, or call (305) 359-7312. KRW Electric Company LLC (Florida certified electrical contractor EC13012832) handles the permit and the inspection on its jobs across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Reviewed by Kyle White, KRW Electric Company LLC — licensed electrical contractor EC13012832.
