Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control
Building Code Information
This section is composed of three different areas to assist and educate the pest control industry on the new Florida Building Code regulations. The first area 104.2.7 provides a link to locate the list of Termiticides Registered in Florida for Preventive Treatment of New Construction. The second area summarizes the sections of the Florida Building Code that relates to termites that might impact some operations of licensed pest control operators and provides a link to the actual building code. The final area provides generic form models that can be used which should comply with the new building code requirements.
Please note this link will open the page in a new window.
- AREA 1 -- Termiticides Registered in Florida for Preventive Treatment (pdf) of New Construction
Products are included on this list if they meet the requirements for registration as a pesticide product as required by Chapter 487, F.S., and the registered label contains directions for use on new construction. Inclusion of a product on this list of registered termiticides does not constitute endorsement or approval, either direct or implied, of the product by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
- AREA 2 -- Termite Protection in Buildings (pdf)
- AREA 3 -- Florida Building Code Sections Related to Termites
The Florida Building Code becomes effective March 1, 2002. This code contains a number of provisions that are designed to increase the effectiveness of preventative treatments for termites and decrease construction practices that make structures susceptible to termite infestation.
The changes were developed by the Termite Work Group consisting of representatives of the pest control industry, the building industry, universities, and state agencies. The table below lists sections of the Florida Building Code that pertain to termite protection and gives a short description of that section. The actual language of the sections referenced below can be seen on the Florida Building Commission’s website.
Florida Building Code Sections Related to Termites
| 104.2.6 | Certificate of Protective Treatment for Prevention of Termites | Requires posting of applications - no "final approval" if all applications not made, including vertical barrier |
| 104.2.7 | Notice of Termite Protection | Requires posting of consumer notice inside house - will inform owner of need to renew contract and inspect annually |
| 1403.1.6 | Section 1403 - Veneered Walls | Requires 6 inch space between grade and siding for termite inspection |
| 1503.4.4 | Protection Against Decay and Termites | Requires discharge lines and gutter downspouts to terminate at least one foot from foundation |
| 1816.1 | Foundations and Retaining Walls - Termite Protection | Requires foundations to have some form of protection from termites ("labeled for use as a preventative treatment to new construction") |
| 1816.1.1 | If soil treatment is used, must be done after compaction | |
| 1816.1.2 | If soil treatment is used, disturbed areas must be re-treated | |
| 1816.1.3 | If soil treatment is used, forms and traps must be plastic or metal | |
| 1816.1.4 | If soil treatment is used, vapor barrier must be installed | |
| 1816.1.5 | If soil treatment is used, concrete overpour must be removed | |
| 1816.1.6 | If soil treatment is used, applications must also be made within one foot of the foundation under adjoining slabs | |
| 1816.1.7 | Termite Protection | Soil treatment must be in compliance with DACS rules |
| 1816.2 | Foundation Penetration | Protective sleeves around slab penetrations must not be cellulose |
| 2116.1 | Masonry - Termite Inspection (Cleaning) | Cells in blocks must not contain cellulosic debris |
| 2116.2 | Masonry - Concrete Bearing Ledge | Brick veneers must be on an integral ledge or a soil treatment must be made |
| 2301.4.6 | Wood Construction - General | Preservative treated wood must meet a standard |
| 2303.1.1 | Construction Practices | Sites must be graded to provide drainage |
| 2303.1.2 | Cellulose debris must be removed from foundation | |
| 2303.1.3 | Wooden grade stakes, form boards, etc. must be removed | |
| 2303.1.4 | No cellulose material can be buried within 15 feet of foundation. | |
| 2304.1 | Wood Construction - Protection against Decay and Termites | Requires preservative or naturally decay resistant wood in certain areas |
| 2304.2.5 | Clearance between wood siding and ground | Clearance between wood siding and ground must be 6 inches |
| 2304.2.7 | Decks fences and patios must have an inspection clearance or be built to allow inspection for termites | |
| 2603.3.1 | Foam Plastic Insulation | Plastic foam insulation cannot be installed below grade |
| 2603.3.2 | Foam Plastic Insulation | A 6 inch clearance is required between foam plastic insulation on the exterior of buildings and earth grade |
- AREA 3 - Sample 'Forms' for Pest Control Industry Use with the New Code Requirements.
With the introduction of the Florida Building Code, pest management professionals who provide preventative treatment for subterranean termites for new construction have a new set of requirements for notification of the building department when these treatments are done.
These requirements are in addition to those that exist under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes, and that may be necessary for customers who need documentation for mortgage lending institutions such as HUD, VA, and banks.
Examples of forms that will meet these requirements are also provided.FDACS requirements |
Florida Building Code Requirements | HUD/VA/FHA Requirements | Other Institution Requirements |
| Treatment records –
To be retained by licensee for three years.
Must include:
Licensee Date Pesticide Volume (number of gallons applied) Percent concentration Area treated – Square footage Location treated (address) Accurate records of pesticides purchased, area treated, and number of sites treated |
Notification of treatment – to be posted in duplicate on a job board at the site after each required treatment. Must include – Product usedChemical used (pesticide active ingredient) Date Time Applicator Site Location (address) Volume (number of gallons applied) Percent concentration Area treated – Square footage Certificate of Compliance - to be provided to building department when treatment completed Permanent Notice of Protection - must be posted in finishedhome by water heater or electrical panel |
Forms NPCA 99a and NPCA 99b must be completed (these are obtained from the National Pest Management Association) |
Partial treatment statements or certificates for construction loan draws Final treatment statements or certificates for final closing. |
Model Forms
The following forms were designed and reviewed by the Florida Professional Applicators Alliance (FPAA) to comply with both Chapter 482, F.S., and the Florida Building Code Requirements. Clicking on the hyperlink area will begin a download process that will allow you to save the file to your hard drive. These forms are provided in MSWord format so that you can modify them or utilize as you would like.
Notice of Preventative Treatments for Termites (required by Florida Building Code (FBC) 104.2.6) (doc)
Certificate of Compliance for Termite Protection (required by Florida Building Code (FBC) 1816.1.7) (doc)
Permanent Notice of Termite Protection (required by Florida Building Code (FBC) 104.2.7) (doc)
Alternate Permanent Notice of Termite Protection Language (required by Florida Building Code (FBC) 104.2.7) (doc)