Freedom Code Compliance
Single Family

Single Family Window/Door Replacement

Like for like window and/or door replacement with no modification to existing openings

Last updated: Apr 20, 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

  • Floor Plan Showing Opening Locations
    A floor plan or elevation with the windows/doors being replaced clearly marked. A marked-up photo or simple sketch is often sufficient.
    WhenRequired only if your building department asks for it. Many jurisdictions do not require this for straight replacements.
  • 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.

BuildingConditional review scope

Conditional review scopePlan review is not required for this scope under FBC 107.3.5. FCC reviews these items only when the building department specifically requires it, or the client opts in.
  1. #01Wind-borne debris protectionLife Safety

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

    FBC-R R301.2.1.2FBC-B 1609.2
  2. #02Egress window compliance (bedrooms)Life Safety

    Any replacement window serving a sleeping room must meet emergency escape and rescue opening requirements: clear opening area, width, height, and sill height.

    FBC-R R310
  3. #03Florida product approval for each fenestration productCode

    Each new window and door must carry a Florida product approval (FL#) or Miami-Dade NOA suitable for the project's wind zone and application.

    FBC-B 1708FBC-R R301.2.1.2FBC-R R609
  4. #04Plan review applicability (FBC 107.3.5 / 107.3.4.2)Documentation

    Fenestration replacement is not included in the FBC-B 107.3.5 minimum plan review criteria for one- and two-family dwellings. Contractor certification under FBC-B 107.3.4.2 is an accepted pathway for wind-resistance compliance. FCC performs this review only when the building department requires plan review or the client opts in.

    FBC-B 107.3.5FBC-B 107.3.4.2
  5. #05Flashing and weather-resistive barrier integrationPerformance

    Installation details should show flashing at head, jambs, and sill, integrated with the existing weather-resistive barrier.

    FBC-R R703.4FBC-B 1404.4

Items marked Conditional review scope are non-blocking. Per FBC 107.3.5, plan review isn't required for these scopes — FCC reviews them when the building department requests it or the client wants the extra set of eyes.

Section 3

Inspection Walkthrough

Inspections are listed in their typical phase order. Your FCC inspector will confirm which apply to your project. Call (772) 222-6679 with questions.

Building

Phase #1

Buck, Flashing

RequiredBD-Dependent

Most jurisdictions skip this inspection for this project type. Confirm with your building department whether they'll require it.

  1. Buck and flashing installationCritical

    Verify window/door bucks and flashing are properly installed per manufacturer specs

    FBC-R R703.4FBC-B 1710.3
  2. Anchor and fastener patternCritical

    Verify anchoring method and fastener spacing per manufacturer installation instructions

    FBC-B 1710.2FBC-B 1710.4
  3. Sealant and weatherproofing

    Verify sealant is applied per manufacturer specs at all joints

    FBC-R R703.4
Phase #2

Final Building

RequiredTypical Final
  1. Window/door product approvalCritical

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

    FBC-R R609.3FBC-B 1710.2
  2. Window/door operationCritical

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

    FBC-R R612.1
  3. Impact rating verificationCritical

    Verify impact-rated products where required by wind zone

    FBC-R R301.2.1.2FBC-B 1710.1
  4. Egress complianceCritical

    Verify bedroom windows still meet egress size requirements after replacement

    FBC-R R310.1
  5. Interior and exterior finish

    Verify interior trim and exterior caulking are complete

    FBC-R R703.4