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Central Florida

Roofing in Seminole County

The 2020 Census counted 470,856 people in Seminole County, spread across 193,790 housing units. Those homes sit in towns from Sanford to Lake Mary and Oviedo, and each city handles roof paperwork a little differently. The county is not in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, so standard Florida Building Code rules apply. The median home dates to 1988, which suggests many roofs are due for a close look.

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County seat: Sanford

Updated October 2026

Modern concrete city hall building with a curved facade, palm trees, flagpole and entrance drive under cloudy sky.
Photo: Sanford City Hall FL by Connor Williams, CC BY 2.0, cropped

At a glance

Seminole County homes at a glance

People (2020 Census)
470,856
Median year homes were built
1988
Share of homes built 2010 or later
12.3%
Share of homes built before 1980
29.1%
Owner-occupied share of occupied homes
66.2%
Mobile homes, share of housing units
2.1%
Median age
39.8yrs

Census and county figures; each one is listed in the sources at the end of this page.

Housing and roof age

How old are the homes and roofs in Seminole County?

The median Seminole County home was built in 1988. A home from that year is now well past 35 years old. That suggests many original shingle roofs have already been replaced once, and some have been replaced twice.

About 29.1 percent of homes were built before 1980, and 12.3 percent were built in 2010 or later. The older group likely holds the roofs closest to the end of their life. Newer homes were built under the Florida Building Code, which has existed since March 1, 2002.

Single-family detached homes make up 61.4 percent of housing units, and 66.2 percent of occupied homes are owner-occupied. Mobile homes are 2.1 percent. Insurers apply age limits to roofs: Citizens, for one, wants proof of five more years of useful life on shingle roofs older than 25 years. Ask your own insurer for its rule.

Code and wind

What building code and wind rules apply here?

Seminole County follows the base Florida Building Code, not the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone rules that cover only Miami-Dade and Broward. Today's Eighth Edition arrived at the end of 2023. A Ninth Edition is scheduled for December 31, 2026, and any permit filed from that day on must follow it.

Partial re-roofs run into a state limit. If more than a quarter of one roof section gets repaired, replaced or recovered inside 12 months, the entire section has to be redone. A roof already built or redone under the 2007 code or later gets a break: only the new work must meet today's code. Ask the Building Division how that applies to your roof.

No wind design speed for Seminole County is stated in the material we have. Ask the Building Division which design speed applies to your address before you sign a contract.

  • 12.3% of the county's housing units were built in 2010 or later and 29.1% before 1980; the median year built is 1988.
  • Mobile homes are 2.1% of housing units; single-family detached homes are 61.4%.
  • Oviedo's building permit page includes a Re-Roof Process and Affidavit.
  • Winter Springs' Community Development forms include a Re-Roof Inspection Affidavit.
  • Lake Mary publishes an After the Storm Permitting Guide for repairs and rebuilding.
  • Sanford's planning division runs a historic preservation program with Certificates of Appropriateness.
  • Lake Mary describes upscale golf course communities and active retirement communities within a few minutes' drive of downtown.

Permit offices

Who issues roofing permits in Seminole County?

The Seminole County Building Division is the county permit office. It lists storm damage repair resources and requirements for re-installing solar panels after a re-roof. If you have panels, read those requirements before the old roof comes off.

Cities may run their own paperwork. Oviedo's permit page has a Re-Roof Process and Affidavit. Winter Springs posts a Re-Roof Inspection Affidavit among its Community Development forms. Lake Mary publishes an After the Storm Permitting Guide. Confirm with your city's building office which office issues your permit.

A permit clock runs once you start. Under FBC-B §105.4.1 a permit goes invalid if work does not begin within 6 months of issue, or if a started job sits idle for 6 months. Record the Notice of Commencement and post it before the first inspection, or you may risk paying twice for the work.

Building permits

Seminole County Building Division

Official building page

Cities with their own building office

Office names and links only. Fees, forms and timing change; check the official page.

Storm record

What storms have hit Seminole County roofs?

Hurricane Matthew in 2016 brought a 63 mph gust at Orlando-Sanford. Falling trees did most of the damage, leaving 17 homes with major damage and 94 with minor damage. Hurricane Irma in 2017 left 162 of 7,125 assessed residences with major damage.

Hurricane Ian in 2022 was mostly a flood event here. Structures affected numbered 3,058, with 1,076 major. The Little Wekiwa River at Altamonte Springs and the Econlockhatchee near Oviedo flooded, as did Howell and Gee Creeks at Winter Springs. Near-record river levels hit Sanford.

Hurricane Milton in 2024 brought gusts of 60 to 75 mph, locally 84. It affected 554 structures, 54 of them with major damage. The St. Johns River reached moderate flood stage near Sanford. Nicole in 2022 had already pushed it to 7.0 feet there.

  1. 2024Hurricane Milton

    • Gusts 60-75 mph, locally 84 mph; 6-10 inches of rain, locally 13; 554 structures affected, 212 minor, 54 major, 1 destroyed. St. Johns River moderate flood near Sanford, major at Lake Harney.

  2. 2022Hurricane Ian

    • 3,058 structures affected, 580 minor, 1,076 major and 2 destroyed, mainly from historic flooding. Flooding on the Little Wekiwa River (Altamonte Springs), the Econlockhatchee Rivers near Oviedo, Howell and Gee Creeks (Winter Springs), and near-record St. Johns River levels at Sanford and Lake Harney.

  3. 2022Hurricane Nicole

    • A small number of structures damaged; gusts 55-65 mph; the St. Johns River at Sanford rose to moderate flood stage.

Rain and heat

How much rain and heat does a roof take here?

Sanford averages 54.03 inches of rain a year, and 24.49 inches of it falls in June through August. The Orlando-Sanford airport records 49.63 inches a year. Both stations count more than 108 days a year at 90 degrees or hotter. Sanford has 108.5 such days, the airport 115.4.

Summer rain and heat in the same months mean a leak from a failing shingle gets water every week. Check your roof before June, not after. Ask a roofer to look at flashing, sealant and any shingle that curls in the heat.

8.71in/hr5-minute burst, 10-year storm
2.91in/hr1-hour rate, 10-year storm
6.1in24 hours, 10-year storm

NOAA Atlas 14 at Orlando, the nearest point in our data. Source

Local oddities

What is unusual about roofing in Seminole County?

Water covers 10.4 percent of the county's total area, and river flooding followed Ian, Nicole and Milton. A flooded house is a different problem from a damaged roof. Keep the two repair records separate when you talk to your insurer.

NWS Melbourne calls central Florida the Lightning Capital of the United States, and Florida has more lightning casualties than any other state. A roof with rooftop equipment or solar panels is a path worth a look after a strike. During a re-roof, equipment that is being replaced or moved must meet current code.

Check who does the work. A general contractor must subcontract roofing unless certified or registered in that trade, with limited exceptions. Statewide product approval also governs any roofing product sold as hurricane protection. Look up a product's FL number in the Florida Building Commission search.

Find your town

How do I find roofing help in my town?

Towns in the county include Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Oviedo, Winter Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary and Longwood. Each has its own mix of home ages and flood exposure. Altamonte Springs and Winter Springs saw creek and river flooding in Ian, while Sanford sits on the St. Johns River.

Start with the permit office for your address. Ask which edition of the code applies, whether a re-roof affidavit is required, and how the quarter-of-a-section limit applies to your roof. Then compare written scopes from more than one roofer.

Services

Roofing services in Seminole County

Cities and towns

Places we serve in Seminole County

Questions

Roofing questions in Seminole County

Does Seminole County use the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone code?

No. The High-Velocity Hurricane Zone applies only to Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Seminole County, with its 193,790 housing units, uses the base Florida Building Code. The Ninth Edition takes effect December 31, 2026, and filings from that day on must meet it. Ask the Seminole County Building Division which edition applies to your filing date.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census (TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 MapServer: POP100, HU100, AREALAND, AREAWATER), read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof replacement

Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Seminole County?

Roof replacement generally goes through the permit office, so confirm with the Seminole County Building Division or your city. Oviedo and Winter Springs post re-roof affidavits on their pages. A permit becomes invalid if work does not start within 6 months. Ask the building office for the exact paperwork before work begins.

Source: Seminole County Building Division, read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof replacement

What is the 25 percent roof rule?

Florida limits partial re-roofing. Work on more than 25 percent of a roof section in 12 months means the whole section must be replaced or recovered. Roofs built or redone under the 2007 code or later are treated differently, since only the new work must meet current code. In a county where 29.1 percent of homes predate 1980, that choice comes up often. Your local building office applies the rule.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (acs2024_5yr), via Census Reporter API, tables B25034/B25035, read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof replacement

How old are roofs in Seminole County homes?

The median home was built in 1988, and 29.1 percent were built before 1980. That suggests many original roofs are well past 25 years, though many have been replaced already. Only 12.3 percent of homes date from 2010 or later. Roof age matters to insurers, so check your own insurer's rule.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (acs2024_5yr), via Census Reporter API, tables B25034/B25035, read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof replacement

Did Hurricane Ian damage roofs in Seminole County?

Mostly it brought flooding. NWS Melbourne counted 3,058 structures affected, 580 with minor damage and 1,076 with major damage. Rivers flooded at Altamonte Springs, Oviedo and Winter Springs, and the St. Johns River neared record levels at Sanford. Flood damage and wind damage to a roof are separate matters. Ask your insurer how each is handled.

Source: NWS Melbourne, Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ian (2022), read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof repair

How much rain does Sanford get each year?

Sanford averages 54.03 inches a year, and 24.49 inches falls from June through August. The Orlando-Sanford airport averages 49.63 inches. Sanford sees 108.5 days a year at 90 degrees or hotter. A roof here sheds heavy summer rain after months of hot sun, so inspect it before June.

Source: NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (annual/seasonal), access-data API, read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof repair

Who issues roofing permits in Seminole County?

The Seminole County Building Division is the county permit office. Some cities, including Oviedo, Winter Springs and Lake Mary, publish their own roofing or storm permit pages. Confirm with the building office for your address which one issues your permit. The county also lists requirements for solar panel re-installation after a re-roof.

Source: Seminole County Building Division, read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof replacement

Can a general contractor replace my roof?

Not always. Florida law says a general contractor must subcontract roofing work unless certified or registered in that trade. One exception covers shingle roofing on a new building the contractor built. Seminole County has about 193,790 homes, so check any contractor's license on the state's lookup before you sign. Also confirm any hurricane-protection product has a statewide approval number.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census (TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 MapServer: POP100, HU100, AREALAND, AREAWATER), read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof replacement

Next door

Neighboring counties we serve

Sources for this page(45)
  1. 1.Median year homes were built: 1988. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (acs2024_5yr), via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  2. 2.U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (acs2024_5yr), via Census Reporter API, tables B25034/B25035. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  3. 3.Share of homes built before 1980: 29.1%. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (acs2024_5yr), via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  4. 4.Share of homes built 2010 or later: 12.3%. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (acs2024_5yr), via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  5. 5.Single-family detached share of housing units: 61.4%. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (acs2024_5yr), via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  6. 6.Owner-occupied share of occupied homes: 66.2%. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (acs2024_5yr), via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  7. 7.Mobile homes, share of housing units: 2.1%. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (acs2024_5yr), via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  8. 8.U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (acs2024_5yr), via Census Reporter API, table B25024. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  9. 9.Permit office: Seminole County Building Division. Seminole County Building Division. Read Oct 10, 2026.
  10. 10.Seminole County Government, Building Division. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  11. 11.City of Oviedo, Online Building Permit Applications. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  12. 12.City of Winter Springs, Documents & Forms (Community Development). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  13. 13.City of Lake Mary, After the Storm Permitting Guide. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  14. 14.Hurricane Ian (2022). NWS Melbourne, Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ian (2022). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  15. 15.Hurricane Matthew (2016). NWS Melbourne, Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Matthew (2016). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  16. 16.Hurricane Irma (2017). NWS Melbourne, Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irma (2017). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  17. 17.NWS Melbourne, Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ian (2022). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  18. 18.Hurricane Nicole (2022). NWS Melbourne, Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Nicole (2022). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  19. 19.NWS Melbourne, Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Nicole (2022). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  20. 20.Hurricane Milton (2024). NWS Melbourne, County Impacts Associated with Milton (2024). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  21. 21.NWS Melbourne, County Impacts Associated with Milton (2024). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  22. 22.NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (annual/seasonal), access-data API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  23. 23.Water share of total area: 10.4%. U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census (TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 MapServer: POP100, HU100, AREALAND, AREAWATER). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  24. 24.U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census (TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 MapServer: POP100, HU100, AREALAND, AREAWATER). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  25. 25.NWS Melbourne, Lightning Information Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  26. 26.People (2020 Census): 470,856. U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census (TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 MapServer: POP100, HU100, AREALAND, AREAWATER). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  27. 27.Housing units (2020 Census): 193,790. U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census (TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 MapServer: POP100, HU100, AREALAND, AREAWATER). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  28. 28.Median age: 39.8. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (acs2024_5yr), via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  29. 29.City of Sanford, Historic Preservation - Certificate of Appropriateness (link on sanfordfl.gov). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  30. 30.City of Longwood, Historic District. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  31. 31.City of Lake Mary, Lake Mary Housing. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  32. 32.2023 Florida Building Code, Building, 8th ed., Chapter 1 (UpCodes viewer, unofficial transcription), UpCodes (Florida Building Code transcription). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  33. 33.Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, inspections FAQ (updated 2026-03-17), Citizens Property Insurance. Read Oct 4, 2026.
  34. 34.FRSA, "New 2023 FBC Eighth Edition is Now in Effect", 2024-02-13, floridaroof.com. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  35. 35.Miami-Dade County RER notice, Miami. 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.Seminole County Building Division, Seminole County Building Division. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  38. 38.Florida Statutes, section 713.135 (2026), Florida Legislature. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  39. 39.NWS Melbourne, Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Matthew (2016), National Weather Service. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  40. 40.NWS Melbourne, Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irma (2017), National Weather Service. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  41. 41.U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census (TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 MapServer: POP100, HU100, AREALAND, AREAWATER), U.S. Census Bureau. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  42. 42.Florida Statutes, section 489.113 (2026), Florida Legislature. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  43. 43.Florida Statutes, section 553.842 (2026), Florida Legislature. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  44. 44.Florida Building Commission, Florida Building Commission. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  45. 45.NOAA Atlas 14 at Orlando, the nearest point in our data: 8.71 in/hr (5-minute, 10-year). NOAA Atlas 14 Volume 9 (Southeastern States) version 2, partial-duration series point estimates, via the HDSC PFDS endpoint (ops/research/v3/services/data/noaa-atlas14-florida-rainfall.tsv). Read Oct 5, 2026.

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