§ 320.103. Wind zones.

The Florida Building Code specifies three different Risk Categories of structures for Ultimate Design Wind Speed and provides a different wind speed map for each category. The Florida Building Code also requires each municipality to set the location of the wind speed demarcation lines by ordinance using recognizable physical landmarks. At the south end of Duval County, the demarcation line shall start in the middle of the St. Johns River at the south end of Duval County, run north up the center of the St. Johns River to the intersection of the St. Johns River and Interstate 95 on the Fuller Warren Bridge, then proceed north along Interstate 95 to the northern Duval County line.

For Risk Category I structures as set forth in the Florida Building Code, the wind speed west of the demarcation line shall be 115 miles per hour and east of the demarcation line 120 miles per hour.

For Risk Category II structures as set forth in the Florida Building Code, the wind speed west of the demarcation line shall be 125 miles per hour and east of the demarcation line 130 miles per hour.

For Risk Category III and Risk Category IV structures as set forth in the Florida Building Code, the wind speed west of the demarcation line shall be 135 miles per hour and east of the demarcation line 140 miles per hour.

An applicant for a building permit may choose to interpolate from the actual wind speed maps instead of using those parameters noted above. In such instance a location map with the wind speed interpolation calculations shall be provided by a licensed engineer or architect.

(Ord. 2001-1160-E, § 1; Ord. 2003-1007-E, § 1; Ord. 2012-214-E, § 1)