Country Club Living - Palm Beach North - June 2026

J U N E 2 0 2 6 | C O U N T R Y C L U B L I V I N G - PA L M B E A C H N O R T H 1 3 – By John Carr, Roofing & Restoration of Florida - Community WHAT BOARDS NEED TO KNOW Florida’s 2026 HOA & POA Roofing Changes F lorida community associations entered 2026 facing one of the most significant shifts in roofing and construction oversight in decades. While much of the public attention has focused on HOA reform legislation in Tallahassee, the real operational impact on condominium and homeowners’ associations has come from changes involving roofing reserves, insurance underwriting, building code enforcement, and structural accountability. For associations across Florida — especially in coastal markets like Palm Beach County — roofing has become one of the most critical financial and risk-management issues boards now face. One of the biggest changes affecting associations is the continued implementation of post-Surfside reserve and structural funding requirements. Roof systems are now receiving increased scrutiny in reserve studies, engineering evaluations, and financial planning. Condominium associations in particular are finding it increasingly difficult to defer major roofing projects, as reserve funding expectations have tightened and insurers are demanding more proactive maintenance and replacement schedules. At the same time, Florida insurance carriers have significantly increased underwriting standards related to roofing systems. Roof age, wind mitigation documentation, maintenance history, and overall roof condition now play a major role in whether associations can obtain affordable coverage. While recent legislation helped prevent insurers from automatically denying coverage solely based on roof age, carriers still retain broad authority to require inspections and reject roofs that show deterioration or deferred maintenance. This has created substantial pressure on associations to act sooner rather than later when addressing aging roofing systems. In addition to insurance concerns, Florida’s current building code enforcement environment has become much stricter. New reroofing projects must comply with modern wind-load and attachment standards, particularly in high-velocity hurricane zones and coastal counties. Many associations are discovering that what once would have been considered a straightforward roof repair may now trigger broader code-compliance upgrades involving underlayment, fastening systems, edge metal, and secondary water barriers. The continued enforcement of Florida’s “25% Rule” also remains a major factor. In many cases, if more than 25% of a roof section is repaired within a 12-month period, the roofing system may need to be brought into full compliance with current building code requirements. This can dramatically increase project costs and has forced many associations to rethink long-term maintenance strategies. Another important trend in 2026 is the increased importance of documentation. Boards and property managers are now expected to maintain detailed roofing records, including inspections, maintenance reports, contractor documentation, wind mitigation reports, and reserve studies. In today’s insurance and litigation environment, documentation is no longer optional — it is essential. As someone working directly with community associations throughout Florida, I believe boards must begin viewing roofing as a long-term asset management responsibility rather than simply a maintenance issue. The associations that are navigating these challenges most successfully are those investing in proactive planning, reserve analysis, preventative maintenance, and qualified professional guidance. Florida’s regulatory and insurance landscape continues to evolve rapidly. Associations that prepare early, document thoroughly, and make informed roofing decisions will ultimately place themselves in the strongest financial and operational position moving forward. For more information or a free consultation, contact John Carr at 561-557-6048 or john@rroffl.com.