Under the Florida Building Code (based on AAMA/NPEA/NSA/SRAA 2100), sunrooms fall into five categories distinguished by enclosure type and whether they're conditioned or habitable. The category drives what permit documentation is required — structural, energy, mechanical, egress — and whether the room counts toward habitable square footage.
Reference only, not a permitting determination. Requirements vary by municipality and, for condos, by the individual association's governing documents. Confirm specifics with the local building department (and for condos, the association) before starting design. Palm Beach County adopts the Florida Building Code with local amendments — always check the county's current amendments and any city sub-jurisdictions.
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Permit Package Checklist
Permit checklist
Every document, plan, and sub-permit typically required for the selected category and property type. Tick items as you gather them.
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All Five FBC Sunroom Categories
Reference table for the AAMA/NPEA/NSA/SRAA 2100 classifications adopted under Florida Building Code, Residential R301.2.1.1.1.
Thermally isolated. Walls are open or enclosed only with insect screening or thin plastic film (max 20 mil). Not designed to be heated or cooled. Not habitable space, doesn't count toward living area.
Has a roof and enclosed walls, with openings glazed in transparent or translucent glass or plastic (often acrylic). Not tied into HVAC. No air-infiltration or water-penetration performance requirements on the fenestration beyond basic FBC minimums.
Same as Category II, but the fenestration must meet air-infiltration and water-resistance requirements — typically built with glass, shutters, or impact glass. Still not conditioned or habitable. Common in HVHZ or Wind-Borne Debris Regions where product approval is required.
Enclosed walls, designed to be heated or cooled by a separate temperature control system that is thermally isolated from the primary structure. Fenestration must meet added water-penetration, air-infiltration, and thermal performance requirements. Conditioned but not habitable — energy code and mechanical permits apply, egress usually doesn't.
Enclosed walls, designed to be heated or cooled and open to the main structure, with fenestration meeting the same enhanced air, water, and thermal performance requirements as Category IV. Habitable and conditioned — functionally a full addition. Full energy code, mechanical, electrical, and egress requirements apply, and it counts toward the home's living square footage.
Wind & Structural: Any attached or freestanding structure needs an engineered wind-load design (footings, anchoring, uplift) sized to the site's design wind speed. This is not optional even for Category I screen rooms.
HVHZ / Impact Glazing: In Miami-Dade, Broward, or any Wind-Borne Debris Region — including much of coastal Palm Beach County — every glazed opening (Cat II–V) needs product approval (NOA or Florida Product Approval) rated for the site.
Zoning & Setbacks: Enclosures still have to clear side and rear setback requirements and easements. A property survey showing the proposed footprint is commonly required with the application.
Notice of Commencement: Most enclosure jobs exceed Florida's $2,500 NOC threshold. File a Notice of Commencement with the county clerk before pulling the permit.
Palm Beach County: Follows the Florida Building Code with local amendments. Category IV and V trigger the most involved review — energy calcs, mechanical permit, and (for Cat V) egress on any bedroom-eligible windows.