At a glance
- Who
- Florida homeowners replacing windows or doors, or building new openings.
- What
- In a wind-borne debris region, the Florida Building Code requires protection for exterior glass openings.
- When
- Ask before you order windows or doors.
- Where
- It depends on the address. Your city or county permit office confirms it.
- Why
- It decides whether you need impact-rated glass or approved coverings.
The short answer
The wind-borne debris region, often shortened to WBDR, is the part of Florida where the building code treats flying debris as a threat. A June 2025 report to the Florida Building Commission by the University of Florida states that the residential code requires protection for exterior glazed openings in these regions, meeting specific ASTM requirements.
Whether your Manatee County home is inside the region depends on its address. We could not verify the design wind speed for Manatee County or Sarasota County, or a ruling on either county. Do not guess. Ask your permit office.
This is general information, not a code interpretation.
How the region is defined
The same report gives the definition for each code edition.
| Code edition | Definition |
|---|---|
| 2001, 2004, 2007 | At least 120 mph, or 110 mph within 1 mile of the coast |
| 2010 to 2020 | At least 140 mph, or 130 mph within 1 mile of the coast |
| 2023 | At least 140 mph, or 130 mph within 1 mile of the mean high water line where an Exposure D condition exists |
Exposure D means flat terrain with water upwind for at least 5,000 feet.
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What changed in the 2023 code
The 2023 definition now includes some inland areas near lakes and inland waterways where design wind speeds are 130 to 140 mph. Those areas now need opening protection too.
The report also says some Florida stakeholders want to go back to the older ASCE 7-16 definition. It does not say whether that happened. We could not read the adopted residential code text, so we cannot say which wording applies to a permit you pull today. Your permit office can.
How to find your home's wind speed
The state's wind mitigation form, OIR-B1-1802, sorts a home into one of three wind regions using ASCE 7-22 design wind speeds: Region 1 is 140 mph or more, Region 2 is 130 to 139 mph, and Region 3 is under 130 mph. The form points to the ASCE Hazard Tool at ascehazardtool.org for looking up a wind speed by address.
That region is for the insurance form. It is not the same as a permit decision about the wind-borne debris region. Use it as a starting point, then ask the permit office.
- Look up your address on the ASCE Hazard Tool.
- Call or visit your city or county building department and ask whether your address is in the wind-borne debris region under the code edition in force.
- Ask what opening protection they accept for your windows and doors.
- Write down the answer, with the date and the person's name.
Our Manatee County permit guide explains who to contact.
What protection looks like
Protection means either impact-rated glass or approved coverings. See our guide on impact windows vs hurricane shutters. Products come from the state's approval system, which we explain in our product approval guide.
How Hildebrand handles this kind of work
Hildebrand Construction & Remodeling, LLC installs impact windows and doors in Manatee County, Sarasota County and south Hillsborough. We pull every required permit and meet Florida Building Code inspections, so the permit office's answer on your address is part of how we plan the job.
Every job is quoted after an on-site visit, with a free in-home consultation and written estimate and no trip fee. Insurance credits are set by your insurer from a wind mitigation inspection, and we never promise a saving. See our impact windows and doors service and our Bradenton page.
Call or text (941) 284-2218, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Questions homeowners ask
What is the wind-borne debris region?
It is the part of Florida where the building code requires protection for exterior glass openings. The definition is based on design wind speed and distance from the coast, and it has changed by code edition.
Is Manatee County in the wind-borne debris region?
We could not verify that. It depends on the address, so ask your permit office and check the wind speed for your address on the ASCE Hazard Tool.
What wind speed puts a home in the wind-borne debris region?
For the 2010 to 2020 code editions, at least 140 mph, or 130 mph within 1 mile of the coast. The 2023 edition keeps 140 mph but ties the 130 mph rule to areas within 1 mile of the mean high water line with an Exposure D condition.
Does the wind mitigation form decide whether I need impact windows?
No. The form is for your insurer's credits. Your permit office decides what the building code requires for your address.
Planning window or door replacement?
Get a free in-home consultation and written estimate from a Florida licensed contractor serving Manatee County, Sarasota County and south Hillsborough.