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New construction roofing in Winter Haven, FL

In Winter Haven, 23.6 percent of homes were built in 2010 or later, so a good share of the city's roofs are still under a modern code. Your new roof will be judged by whichever Florida Building Code edition your permit application meets. The date you apply decides that.

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Updated October 2026

Two-storey white modern building with a balcony and brick plaza at a sunny street corner.
A roof deck sheathed in red-brown ZIP System panels with black seam tape, a bucket and a ladder on the deck, homes and a street behind.Our work
Photo: Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Building by DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped

Winter Haven figures this page uses

Population estimate, July 1, 2025 (Census Vintage 2025)
62,313
Share of homes built 2010 or later
23.6%
Median year homes were built
1990

Code edition

Which code edition your Winter Haven permit faces

The Census estimate for July 2025 puts Winter Haven at 62,313 people, up 23.9 percent from the 2020 base of 50,288. Polk County added 149,748 people over the same stretch, the most of any Florida county. That growth is why new-home permits stack up here.

Today's permits fall under the Eighth Edition code that began on the last day of 2023. A Ninth Edition begins December 31, 2026. File on or after that day and your plans must meet the newer book. If your plans are finished before then, you file under the older one. Ask the city which edition applies to your submission date.

Roof build-up

Decking, underlayment and drip edge for a new build

Roof sheathing must be nailed with ring shank nails. The code calls for 2 1/2-inch by 0.131-inch nails, and thinner sheathing of 15/32 inch or less may use two other ring shank types. An inspector looks at the nailing before anything covers the deck.

Shingle and metal roofs need one of three dry-in methods. You can cover the whole deck with self-adhering membrane. You can tape every deck joint and add underlayment over everything. Or you can lay two layers of felt-type underlayment, fastened 12 inches apart in the field and 6 inches apart at laps.

On a shingle roof, metal drip edge sits above the underlayment along eaves and gables. Nails go no more than 12 inches apart, tightening to 4 inches where design wind speed is 110 mph or more. Gutters are required where eaves project less than 6 inches, with downspouts discharging at least 1 foot from the wall.

Permits and inspections

Fitting the roof into the build schedule

Roof permits go through the City of Winter Haven's Building Permits and Licenses office, which links an online application portal. Confirm current steps with the building office before you schedule.

Your new Winter Haven house will be inspected at six stages: foundation, framing, sheathing, exterior wall coverings and soffit, roofing, and final. The roofing stage covers dry-in, insulation, coverings and flashing. Record the Notice of Commencement and post it on site before the first inspection, or the owner risks paying twice.

A builder may nail asphalt shingles on its own new building. Tile, metal and membrane must go to a certified or registered roofing contractor. An owner may also hire a private provider for plans review or inspections, with written authorization.

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Questions

New construction roofing in Winter Haven: questions

What building code applies to a new roof in Winter Haven?

It depends on when your permit application is submitted. The Eighth Edition of the Florida Building Code has been in force since December 31, 2023. Applications filed on or after December 31, 2026 must meet the Ninth Edition. Winter Haven's median home was built in 1990, so many neighbors still have older roofs, but a new house is held to the edition in force on your filing date. Confirm the date rule with the city building office.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25035, via Census Reporter API (release acs2024_5yr), read Oct 5, 2026

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Does a new Winter Haven home need product-approved roofing?

Yes. Florida requires statewide product approval for roofing, and a product may not be sold as hurricane or windstorm protection unless it is approved. You can look up any product on the Florida Building Commission search by FL number or manufacturer. Winter Haven is not in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, which covers only Broward and Miami-Dade, so a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance is not the standard here. Ask the city building office what it accepts.

Source: City of Winter Haven Building Permits & Licenses (Economic Opportunity & Community Investment), read Oct 5, 2026

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Can my general contractor install the shingles on a new house?

Only in one case. A general, building or residential contractor may install asphalt or fiberglass shingles itself on a new building of its own construction. Tile, metal and membrane roofs must go to a certified or registered roofing contractor. A general contractor also may not advertise as a roofer without that roofing certification or registration. In Winter Haven, where 23.6 percent of homes date from 2010 or later, check any contractor's license through the state before signing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25034, via Census Reporter API (release acs2024_5yr), read Oct 5, 2026

Related: New construction roofing

Is a new Florida home's roof covered by a builder warranty?

Often yes, for one year. Since July 1, 2025, Florida Statute 553.837 requires a builder to warrant a new home for one year against defects in equipment, material or workmanship that cause a material Florida Building Code violation. The year runs from the date title passes or the home is first occupied, whichever comes first. The statute carves out wear and tear, settling, defects the owner caused and acts of God. Winter Haven's population grew 23.9 percent since 2020, so many buyers will meet this rule. Read your purchase contract for the exact terms.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates (sub-est2025_12.csv: ESTIMATESBASE2020, POPESTIMATE2025), read Oct 5, 2026

Related: New construction roofing

Nearby

New construction roofing near Winter Haven

Sources for this page(43)
  1. 1.Population estimate, July 1, 2025 (Census Vintage 2025): 62,313 (base 50,288; +23.9%). U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates (sub-est2025_12.csv: ESTIMATESBASE2020, POPESTIMATE2025). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  2. 2.U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 county population estimates (co-est2025-alldata.csv: ESTIMATESBASE2020, POPESTIMATE2025). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  3. 3.City of Winter Haven, Our Lakes. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  4. 4.NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database bulk details files 2016-2025 (operator count by BEGIN_LOCATION; event ids: 808364, 1043477). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  5. 5.Hurricane Irma (2017). NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, event 721819 (Hurricane (Typhoon), 2017-09-10, zone/county POLK), bulk details file; FEMA OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2 (designatedArea = county). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  6. 6.NPS NPGallery records; City of Lakeland Design Review; City of Bartow HARB. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  7. 7.Permit office: City of Winter Haven Building Permits & Licenses (Economic Opportunity & Community Investment). City of Winter Haven Building Permits & Licenses (Economic Opportunity & Community Investment). Read Oct 10, 2026.
  8. 8.Share of homes built 2010 or later: 23.6%. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25034, via Census Reporter API (release acs2024_5yr). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  9. 9.U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25034, B25035, via Census Reporter API (release acs2024_5yr). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  10. 10.Median year homes were built: 1990. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25035, via Census Reporter API (release acs2024_5yr). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  11. 11.FRSA, "New 2023 FBC Eighth Edition is Now in Effect", 2024-02-13. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  12. 12.Miami-Dade County RER notice. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  13. 13.Florida Statutes, section 553.842 (2026). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  14. 14.Florida Building Commission. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  15. 15.2023 Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th ed., Chapter 8 (UpCodes viewer, unofficial transcription). Read Oct 5, 2026. FBC text read from UpCodes (unofficial transcription): check floridabuilding.org or the ICC viewer before quoting (spec 8.7).
  16. 16.2023 Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th ed., Chapter 9 (UpCodes viewer, unofficial transcription). Read Oct 5, 2026. FBC text read from UpCodes (unofficial transcription): check floridabuilding.org or the ICC viewer before quoting (spec 8.7). Source URL inherited from COM-29 (the research cites it "as COM-29").
  17. 17.2023 Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th ed., Chapter 3 (UpCodes viewer, unofficial transcription). Read Oct 5, 2026. FBC text read from UpCodes (unofficial transcription): check floridabuilding.org or the ICC viewer before quoting (spec 8.7).
  18. 18.2023 Florida Building Code, Building, 8th ed., Chapter 1 (UpCodes viewer, unofficial transcription). Read Oct 5, 2026. FBC text read from UpCodes (unofficial transcription): check floridabuilding.org or the ICC viewer before quoting (spec 8.7). Source URL inherited from C-3 (the research cites it "as C-3").
  19. 19.Florida Statutes, section 489.113 (2026). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  20. 20.Florida Statutes, section 553.791 (2026). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  21. 21.FBC-Building 2023 Chapter 2 definitions. Read Oct 5, 2026. FBC text read from UpCodes (unofficial transcription): check floridabuilding.org or the ICC viewer before quoting (spec 8.7).
  22. 22.Florida Statutes, section 553.837 (2026). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  23. 23.U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates (sub-est2025_12.csv: ESTIMATESBASE2020, POPESTIMATE2025), U.S. Census Bureau. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  24. 24.NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, event 721819 (Hurricane (Typhoon), 2017-09-10, zone/county POLK), bulk details file; FEMA OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2 (designatedArea = county), NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  25. 25.City of Winter Haven Building Permits & Licenses (Economic Opportunity & Community Investment), mywinterhaven.com. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  26. 26.Florida Statutes, section 713.135 (2026), Florida Legislature. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  27. 27.U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25034, via Census Reporter API (release acs2024_5yr), U.S. Census Bureau (via Census Reporter). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  28. 28.U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25035, via Census Reporter API (release acs2024_5yr), U.S. Census Bureau (via Census Reporter). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  29. 29.City of Winter Haven, Our Lakes; City of Lakeland, Lakes & Stormwater, mywinterhaven.com. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  30. 30.Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, inspections FAQ (updated 2026-03-17), Citizens Property Insurance. Read Oct 4, 2026.
  31. 31.U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25024, via Census Reporter API (release acs2024_5yr), U.S. Census Bureau (via Census Reporter). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  32. 32.U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25024, via Census Reporter API (release acs2024_5yr), U.S. Census Bureau (via Census Reporter). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  33. 33.U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25004 and B25001, via Census Reporter API (release acs2024_5yr), U.S. Census Bureau (via Census Reporter). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  34. 34.National Park Service NPGallery NRHP records (listing dates from Wikipedia county NRHP list), National Park Service NPGallery NRHP records. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  35. 35.NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, event 1060337 (Tropical Storm, 2022-11-10, zone/county POLK), bulk details file; FEMA OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2 (designatedArea = county), NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  36. 36.2023 Florida Building Code, Building, 8th ed., Chapter 15 (UpCodes viewer, unofficial transcription), UpCodes (Florida Building Code transcription). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  37. 37.NWS Tampa Bay Area/Ruskin, County Impacts narratives (Post Tropical Cyclone Report), National Weather Service. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  38. 38.NOAA NCEI Storm Events bulk files 2016-2025 (operator count), NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  39. 39.NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, stations USC00084802 and USW00012876, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  40. 40.NOAA Atlas 14 Volume 9 version 2, partial-duration intensity estimates at the Winter Haven 2020 Census internal point (28.0458, -81.7327), NOAA Hydrometeorological Design Studies Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  41. 41.NOAA Atlas 14 Volume 9 version 2, partial-duration 24-hour depth estimates at the Winter Haven 2020 Census internal point (28.0458, -81.7327), NOAA Hydrometeorological Design Studies Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  42. 42.Fla. Stat. 489.105(3)(e), Florida Legislature. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  43. 43.U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (POP100/HU100) and 2020 TIGER land/water area, via TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 layer 26, U.S. Census Bureau. Read Oct 5, 2026.

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New construction roofing in Winter Haven

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