Freedom Code Compliance
Commercial

Commercial Window/Door Replacement

Like for like window and/or door replacement with no modification to existing openings. Also use this for apartment and condo buildings.

Last updated: Sep 29, 2026

Section 1

Required Documents

Submit these with your initial project package.

Always required

  • Product Approvals
    Florida Product Approvals for replacement windows and/or doors showing impact rating, design pressure, and NOA/FL number

Conditional

  • Construction Plans
    Structural plans for the opening changes. Plans prepared by a Florida-registered architect or engineer carry that professional's seal. Plans prepared by a contractor or owner are accepted without a seal unless Florida law or the building department requires professional plans.
    WhenRequired if structural changes are involved (new openings, enlarged openings, header modifications)
  • Opening Modification Guidance
    Window/door replacement project type applies to replacement within existing openings only.
    WhenGuidance only (non-blocking at intake): if opening sizes/locations are modified, submit under an Alteration project type.

Courtesy screen

Courtesy screen on every plan review

Every plan FCC reviews receives a limited courtesy screen for the items below when they are reasonably visible in the submitted documents. If we see an apparent issue that could cause the plans to fail review by another agency, we will identify it as a Courtesy Comment. Courtesy Comments alone do not cause FCC to fail or return the plan set unless the same condition also creates a building-code compliance issue within FCC's review scope. The responsible agency makes the final determination—for example, Planning and Zoning for setbacks, lot coverage, use, and other lot-compliance matters. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  1. #01Plan and document coordination

    Obvious clerical, title-block, sheet-index, permit-description, or cross-sheet inconsistencies visible in the submitted documents. A Courtesy Comment on these items does not cause FCC to fail or return the plan set unless the same condition also creates a building-code compliance issue within FCC's review scope.

    FBC-B 107.2.1
  2. #02Zoning and site coordination

    Apparent setback, lot-coverage, use, or site-dimension conflicts visible in the submitted plans that could cause the plans to fail Planning and Zoning review. Planning and Zoning makes the zoning and lot-compliance determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  3. #03Floodplain coordination

    Apparent inconsistencies or missing coordination in flood-zone, design-flood-elevation, finished-floor, or flood-opening information shown on the plans that could cause the plans to fail floodplain review. The floodplain administrator makes the determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  4. #04Fire-authority coordination

    Apparent separately reviewed fire alarm, sprinkler, hood-suppression, smoke-control, or similar coordination issues visible on the plans that could cause the plans to fail fire review. The fire marshal makes the determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

Section 2

Approval criteria for this project type

These are the building-code criteria FCC uses to determine the plan-review result. An unresolved item may be issued as a Required Correction and cause the plan set to be returned for correction.

BuildingRequired

  1. #01Wind-borne debris protectionLife Safety

    In the Wind-Borne Debris Region, glazed openings must be impact-rated or protected by an approved shutter/panel system.

    FBC-B 1609.1.2
  2. #02Means of egress capacityLife Safety

    Occupant load, egress width, travel distance, and number of exits must comply with FBC-B Ch. 10.

    FBC-B 1004FBC-B 1005FBC-B 1006FBC-B 1017
  3. #03Florida product approvalCode

    Florida product approval (statewide FL#, Miami-Dade NOA, or local approval under F.S. 553.8425) must be listed for each product subject to Florida product approval (F.S. 553.842 and 553.8425; Rule 61G20-3 F.A.C.).

    F.S. 553.842F.S. 553.8425Rule 61G20-3 F.A.C.FBC-B 1709.5FBC-B 1609.1.2
  4. #04Accessibility scoping (FBC-A)Code

    Alteration or new commercial work triggers accessibility requirements in altered areas and along path of travel.

    FBC-A 202FBC-A 206FBC-A 202.4

Section 3

Inspection Walkthrough

Inspections are listed in their typical phase order. Your own inspection list comes from your approved plans. Inspections marked “If in scope” apply only when your plans include that work. Call (772) 222-6679 with questions.

Building

Phase #1

Window / Door Framing

  1. Buck installationCritical

    Verify buck material, placement, and attachment match the approved opening detail

  2. Anchor and fastener patternCritical

    Verify anchoring method and fastener spacing per manufacturer installation instructions

    FBC-B 1710.2FBC-B 1710.4
Phase #2

Building Final

Typical Final
  1. Window/door product approvalCritical

    Verify installed windows and doors have valid Florida Product Approval matching approved plans

  2. Window/door operationCritical

    Verify all windows and doors open, close, lock, and seal properly

  3. Impact rating verificationCritical

    Verify impact-rated products where required by wind zone

    FBC-B 1609.1.2
  4. Egress complianceCritical

    Where the approved commercial occupancy requires emergency escape openings, confirm replacements preserve required clear opening.

  5. Interior and exterior finish

    Verify interior trim and exterior caulking are complete