Florida’s Building Safety Laws Are Complicated. Here’s What Hotels Actually Need to Know.

Since Florida passed sweeping new building safety laws in the wake of the Surfside collapse, property owners and managers have had to navigate an overwhelming amount of new requirements. Unfortunately, most of the guidance has been written with condos in mind—leaving hotels and hospitality properties in a confusing gray area.

Here’s the reality: if your hotel is three stories or taller, 30+ years old, or 25 years old if located within three miles of the coast, there’s a strong chance that one or more of these programs apply to you—whether or not you’ve received formal notice. And not understanding the difference between them could result in fines, violations, or major repairs being ordered under pressure.

Let’s break it down:

Milestone Inspections

This is a statewide program created under Senate Bill 4-D. It applies to buildings that are three or more stories tall and 30 years old (or 25 years if within 3 miles of the coastline). If your hotel meets that description, a structural inspection is required by a licensed engineer. Phase 1 is visual. If problems are found, Phase 2 involves testing. The law doesn’t exclude hotels.

Building Recertification

In Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, buildings must undergo structural and electrical recertification after 25 or 30 years (depending on coastal proximity) and every 10 years thereafter. This program existed before the state’s milestone law and still applies. If your hotel is located in these counties, you may be subject to both programs—simultaneously.

Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS)

This applies mainly to condo associations—but it can affect condo-hotel hybrids, timeshare properties, and any mixed-use buildings where shared ownership or association governance applies. If your hotel has any of these components, it’s worth checking your classification before assuming you’re exempt.

What does all this mean for hotel teams?

It means you need clarity. Ownership groups want to avoid liability. Facilities teams want to stay ahead of maintenance. Legal departments want compliance without disruption. But the state isn’t handing out tailored guides for hotels—and cities aren’t required to notify you in advance.

That’s where PES comes in. We help hotel owners and managers across South Florida figure out what applies, what’s due, and what needs to happen next—without getting lost in agency language or legislative fine print.

Because the laws are complicated. But your next step shouldn’t be.