Short version
A Miami-Dade NOA is the HVHZ product approval used in Broward and Miami-Dade. A Florida Product Approval (FL-PA) is the statewide system used everywhere else. Many products carry both. Inside the HVHZ, an NOA (or a statewide approval that satisfies the HVHZ test protocols) is what the inspector verifies.
Two approval systems, one state
Florida has two product-approval systems for building products that resist wind and impact. They overlap in what they cover (roof systems, impact windows, impact doors, skylights and the components that hold them in place), but they are issued by two different authorities for two different geographies.
Miami-Dade NOA (Notice of Acceptance)
Issued by the Miami-Dade County Building Code Compliance Office. The NOA system predates the statewide program and sets the bar for the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), the stretch of the Florida Building Code that applies to Broward and Miami-Dade counties. An NOA says a specific product (a specific panel or tile, with specific fasteners and specific accessories) has been tested against the HVHZ protocols for wind uplift, impact and water intrusion.
Florida Product Approval (FL-PA)
Issued through the Florida Building Commission, administered by the state. The FL-PA system covers the rest of Florida outside the HVHZ. A product with an FL-PA number has been tested to the statewide Florida Building Code wind and impact standards for the zone it is approved for. Some FL-PA approvals explicitly say "HVHZ" in their scope, which means the product is recognized as compliant inside Broward and Miami-Dade as well.
Which one applies to my home?
Why the difference matters
The practical reason the two systems exist is testing stringency. Miami-Dade protocols were written after Hurricane Andrew, specifically for the wind loads and impact events seen in South Florida. They are stricter than the baseline Florida Building Code tests. A product with a statewide FL-PA may be fine for Ocala or Tampa, but will not be recognized in Broward unless the approval explicitly states it covers the HVHZ. If a contractor hands you an FL-PA number for a Broward installation, confirm that it includes the HVHZ in its scope, not just a generic wind rating.
How to verify an approval
-
1
Get the numbers in writing
Ask your roofer for the NOA or FL-PA number for every component in your estimate.
-
2
Search the official database
Look up the number on the Miami-Dade Building Code Compliance Office website (for NOAs) or the Florida Building Commission's Product Approval database (for FL-PAs).
-
3
Check the expiration
Both approvals have an expiration or renewal date. Make sure the approval is current on the day your permit is pulled.
-
4
Confirm scope
The approval page lists what the product is approved for. For Broward, every component should show HVHZ in its scope.
-
5
Keep copies in your records
Save the approval PDF with your permit and warranty paperwork. You will want it if you ever sell the home or make an insurance inquiry.
Three common mistakes to avoid
FAQs
Is a Miami-Dade NOA the same thing as a Florida Product Approval?
No. A Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) is a product approval issued by the Miami-Dade County Building Code Compliance Office for the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), which covers Broward and Miami-Dade counties. A Florida Product Approval (FL-PA) is a statewide approval issued through the Florida Building Commission. Many manufacturers carry both. Inside the HVHZ, an NOA (or a statewide approval that meets HVHZ test protocols) is what the inspector verifies.
Do I need an NOA for my roof in Broward County?
Broward is inside the HVHZ, so every component of the roof assembly (the panel or tile, the fasteners, the underlayment, the drip edge, the ridge detail) must be covered by an approval that meets the HVHZ test protocols. That is usually a Miami-Dade NOA. Some products carry a Florida Product Approval that is explicitly recognized for the HVHZ. Ask your roofer to list every approval number for every component of your system on the written estimate.
Where do I verify an NOA or FL Product Approval online?
Both approvals are public and searchable. The Miami-Dade Building Code Compliance Office keeps the NOA database on the Miami-Dade County website. The Florida Building Commission runs the statewide Product Approval database through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Search by manufacturer name or by the approval number on the estimate. Never rely on a number you have not verified in the current live database.
Can an approval expire?
Yes. Both NOAs and Florida Product Approvals have expiration or renewal dates. A product approval that lapses is no longer valid for new installations, even if the product is still on a shelf somewhere. That is why the verification step matters before you sign a contract, not after the roof is already on the house.
What should a Broward roofing estimate say about product approvals?
Every roofing component should have an approval number listed in writing, with its scope (for example, panel, clip, fastener, underlayment, drip edge) and expiration date. The estimate should also name the manufacturer and model. If an estimate does not list approval numbers, ask for them in writing before you sign. A licensed roofer can give you every number and point you at the official database to confirm them.
This page is general information about the Florida Building Code and the Miami-Dade and statewide product-approval systems. It is not legal advice. Approval numbers and expiration dates change; always verify in the current official database before relying on any number. A licensed roofing contractor can list every number that applies to your specific project.