A new Florida condo safety law passed in June 2023 makes some updates to a regulation passed in 2022 for condominium and cooperative buildings. The new law (SB 154) largely leaves the changes from the previous law (SB 4-D) in place but aims to add clarity on a few areas.

SB 4-D, which passed in May 2022, centered around inspection requirements, mandatory reserves, and more transparency for unit owners regarding the condition of the buildings. Read more about what we wrote when the original condo safety laws passed, as well as questions associations should consider.

What to know about the 2023 Florida condo safety law.

Explore some of the important changes made in the new law below.

Milestone inspection deadline

The new Florida condo safety law extends the initial deadline for milestone inspections for community buildings reaching 30 years old. The deadline is now December 31, 2025.

Qualified inspectors

In addition, milestone inspections can now be done by a team of professionals working under a licensed architect or engineer. This change helps increase the number of people able to do these inspections.

Coastal condominiums

The new law also removes the blanket requirement that coastal condominiums must have a milestone inspection when the building turns 25 years old. Now all community buildings must have a milestone inspection upon turning 30 years old and every 10 years thereafter. However, under the new law, local officials can require inspections after a building turns 25 years old depending on local circumstances, such as environmental conditions or proximity to salt water.

Structural integrity reserve study

The requirement to complete a structural integrity reserve study (SIRS) every 10 years remains unchanged. However, the new Florida condo safety law makes some updates to what is addressed during a SIRS. For example, the new law removed “floor” and “foundations” from the original list of components. Instead, “structure,” “primary structural systems,” and “exterior doors” were added. The new law also explains that the SIRS only applies to components maintained by the association.

Mandatory reserve requirement clarification

The new law also makes clear at what point unit owner-controlled buildings can no longer vote to waive or partially fund reserves. For a budget adopted on or after December 31, 2024, community associations must sufficiently fund reserves in agreement with the SIRS.

We’re here to help.

At Popular Association Banking, we know how challenging these new laws may seem to your association. The next few months are a critical time for your association. We’re ready to work closely with you to address your needs and challenges. Our dedicated relationship managers can walk you through all your available options.

Popular Association Banking is a division of Popular Bank and a nationwide leader in providing financial products and services to community associations.