Broward County, FL HVAC permit requirements

Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023), including Residential, with Broward County amendments to Chapter 1. The BORA site links 'Municode – Florida Building Code, Chapter 1 (8th Edition)'.

Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, 8th Edition (2023). The county Building Code Division cites 'FEC R401.2', 'FEC403.7.1' and 'FEC R403.7.1.1'.

County Building Code Division packet. For 'NEW A/C SYSTEM WITH DUCTS or MECHANICAL FIRE REPAIR': 'ACCA Manual J or Load Calculations – FEC403.7.1'. For 'A/C REPLACEMENT, CHANGEOUT', a load calculation is required only under BORA Policy 19-02, where the form says: '(*) Provide equipment sizing calculation if existing unit data is not available (ACCA Manual N, J, etc.)'. The mechanical-permit application info also asks for 'Three (3) sets of Energy Calculations and two (2) sets of Cooling Load Calculations.'

A new A/C system with ducts requires a 'Mechanical plan showing duct routing – FEC R403.1'. Manual D is not named.

BORA Policy 19-02 (Effective 10/01/2019, Revised 07/02/2024), 'Broward County Uniform Data Form for Residential and Light Commercial Air Conditioning Replacements': 'Each system requires a form.' 'All others, including cooling towers, chillers, refrigeration units, etc., must provide plans.' It records existing and new unit data (manufacturer, tons, SEER/SEER2/EER, model numbers, strip heat, MCA, maximum overcurrent protection, disconnect size). Footnotes: '(*) Provide equipment sizing calculation if existing unit data is not available (ACCA Manual N, J, etc.)' and '(**) Provide AHRI Certificate'. It also asks about stand/curb, duct smoke detector, same location, flood replacement, and 'line side' electrical work. The July 2, 2024 BORA memo recommends an electrical plan review and inspection for line-side work under SB 612 / s. 489.105. The county Building Code Division's change-out list: Uniform Permit Application, the BORA 19-02 form, 'AHRI Certificate - FEC R403.7.1.1', and 'Signed and Sealed Anchoring Detail or NOA - FMC 301.15'.

'Energy compliance report form R405 or R402 – FEC R401.2', required for a new A/C system with ducts.

Change-out: 'Current version of the Broward County Uniform Permit application(s)', the BORA Policy 19-02 Uniform Data form, 'AHRI Certificate - FEC R403.7.1.1', and 'Signed and Sealed Anchoring Detail or NOA - FMC 301.15'. New A/C system with ducts adds 'Mechanical plan showing duct routing – FEC R403.1', 'Energy compliance report form R405 or R402 – FEC R401.2' and 'ACCA Manual J or Load Calculations – FEC403.7.1'. A Notice of Commencement is required when an A/C repair or replacement is valued at $15,000 or more.

The statewide 9th Edition (2026) FBC is scheduled to take effect 12/31/2026 per the Commission workplan. No BORA 9th-Edition notice was found on the BORA page.

www.broward.org/ePermits