Flood Damage Prevention Act of 2024 (CS for SB 1766)

• Sets a maximum voluntary freeboard of 10 feet for all new construction and substantial improvements, including within coastal high-hazard areas, for residential, commercial, industrial, and nonresidential structures
• Prohibits voluntary freeboard from being counted toward the maximum allowable building height in a zoning district, ensuring property owners can elevate structures for flood protection without losing usable building height
• Authorizes local governments to adopt by ordinance their own minimum voluntary freeboard requirements or a maximum voluntary freeboard exceeding state or Florida Building Code standards
• Requires the Florida Building Commission to develop and adopt minimum voluntary freeboard requirements by rule no later than November 1, 2024, with immediate effect, and to incorporate those requirements into the next edition of the Florida Building Code
• Mandates the commission review freeboard requirements in the Florida Building Code every 5 years beginning January 2029 and submit recommendations to the Legislature on necessary revisions