Interpretation #9503

Published March 04, 2026

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Original Request

Code Version
2023
Code
BUILDING
Code Description
Chapter
31
Section
3109.3.4 (6)
Topic
Breakaway walls for "allowed use" enclosures below the 100 year design storm elevation

Question

A proposed commercial building located in an X Zone (not AE or VE) but seaward of the CCCL, for "allowed use" enclosures below the 100 year design storm elevation per 3109.3.4 (6), do those enclosure walls need to be breakaway?

Answer Published 02/24/2026 at 1:11 PM

Submitted on behalf of FDEM Office of Floodplain Management:
The Florida Division of Emergency Management is designated as the NFIP State Coordinating Agency. In that capacity, the FDEM Office of Floodplain Management focuses on supporting communities as they administer and enforce local floodplain management regulations and the flood provisions of the Florida Building Code and responding to questions from the public. Regarding the Coastal Construction Control Line, they developed a chart to compare the requirements that apply in flood hazard areas to the CCCL requirements. Comparison of CCCL Sec. 3109 and Flood Requirements in FBC (12/2024) and other guidance on several matters of interest to communities are online: https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/mitigation/floodplain/community-resources/

Commentary

None.