2023 FBC- Existing, Section 706.8.1, Exception 2 states:
“Roof-to-wall connections shall not be required unless evaluation and installation of connections at gable ends or all corners can be completed for 15 percent of the cost of roof replacement.”
Is it the intent of Section 706.8.1, Exception 2 to allow NO required retrofits of the existing roof-to-wall connections, when the assessed cost of evaluation and installation of roof-to wall connection retrofits exceed 15 percent of the cost of roof replacement?
If the answer is NO, please provide guidance as to how the stated exception should be applied.
Interpretation #9086
Published August 13, 2025
Original Request
- Code Version
- 2023
- Code
- EXTBLDG
- Code Description
- Chapter
- 7
- Section
- 706.8
- Topic
- Roofing Replacement on Single-family Dwelling that exceeds $300,000 insured value
Question
Answer Published 08/06/2025 at 10:20 AM
Yes, please see the attached commentary
Commentary
1. The question includes the term "Single-family Dwelling". It is now "existing structure with a sawn lumber, wood plank or wood structural panel roof deck.: Not just single family.
2. Some have referred to 706.8.1.7 as requiring that at least the 15% must be spent on the priorities. Because 706.8 is the charging paragraph it's exceptions should override 706.8.1.7 when they conflict. And since exception (b) states that "Mandated retrofits of the roof-to-wall connection shall not be required beyond a 15 percent increase in the cost of reroofing", and because the term mandated is included in the title to paragraph 706.8.1.7 then 706.8.1.7 does not apply because there isn't a mandate when the cost exceeds 15 percent of the cost of reroofing per exception (b). 706.8.1.7 would only apply if the retrofit is mandated.
NOTE: Effective May 19, 2025, H.B. 715 expands the roofing contractor's scope to include "the evaluation and enhancement of roof-to-wall connections for structures with wood roof decking as described in Section 706 of the Florida Building Code-Existing Building". While this does not directly effect the intent of the code, it does expand on who can now perform the evaluation and enhancement when deemed applicable.