The fifth edition of the Florida building Code takes effect on July 1, 2015 (click here for analysis paper). 

New buildings will have to be 19% more energy efficient when completed to current building design permit requirements.  

Additionally, commissioning reports will be required effective July 1, 2015.  New Energy Codes required large HVAC tonnage and buildings that hit the 50% value improvement to bring the entire building up to current code.

The owner becomes a communication hub between the design/construction team and the code official responsible for granting the certificate of occupancy.  Since getting a CO is usually a time critical constraint, it is important that the process not get unintentionally delayed by an owner that isn’t aware that the code mandates their involvement in the process.