New Florida Wind Mitigation Form Changes for 2026: What Homeowners and REALTORS® Need to Know

Florida has made one of the largest updates to its Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form in more than a decade.

Beginning April 1, 2026, new wind mitigation inspections must use OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26), replacing the version that had been in use since 2012. The revised form adds new categories, expands several existing sections and requires more specific documentation of the construction features being reported.

For homeowners, buyers and real estate professionals, the most important change is simple:

It is becoming increasingly important not only that a wind-resistant feature exists, but that the feature can be properly identified and documented.

That can make permits, product approvals, installation information, photographs and access to certain areas of the property increasingly important during a wind mitigation inspection.

When Did the New Florida Wind Mitigation Form Take Effect?

The revised OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26) became effective on:

April 1, 2026

Wind mitigation inspections performed on or after that date must use the new form. The Florida Department of Financial Services confirms that the revised form is now required for all new inspections.

What about an existing wind mitigation report?

An existing report does not automatically become invalid simply because the form changed.

A completed wind mitigation form can generally remain valid for up to five years, provided no material changes have been made to the structure and no inaccuracies are identified. Citizens also states that it may continue accepting the previous Rev. 01/12 version when it was completed before April 1, 2026, remains within its five-year validity period and the structure has not changed.

Homeowner tip: If you replaced the roof, windows, doors or made other significant wind-mitigation improvements, a new inspection may help document those changes.

What Changed on the 2026 Wind Mitigation Form?

The previous form contained seven major inspection categories.

The revised form now contains nine, including two entirely new categories:

1. Building Code

2. Region — New

3. Roof Slope — New

4. Roof Covering

5. Roof Deck Attachment

6. Roof-to-Wall Attachment

7. Roof Geometry

8. Sealed Roof Deck / Secondary Water Resistance

9. Opening Protection

Citizens describes the revised form as adding categories, expanding definitions and increasing documentation requirements.

Here is what homeowners and real estate professionals should understand about each major change.

1. New Wind-Speed Region Classification

The new form requires the inspector to identify the property's wind-speed region based on updated hazard mapping and wind-design standards.

This is particularly relevant in Florida because wind requirements vary significantly depending on location.

Properties in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, for example, are within Florida's High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) and can be subject to different construction and opening-protection requirements.

Why this matters to a buyer or REALTOR®

You don't need to calculate the wind region yourself.

The important point is that location now becomes an explicit part of the wind mitigation report, helping provide more precise information about the standards applicable to the property.

2. Roof Slope Is Now Documented

Roof slope, or roof pitch, is another new section.

For homes with multiple slopes, the inspector may need to determine which slope represents the required portion of the main roof area.

Citizens' guide states that inspectors must now measure and report roof slope. However, it also specifically notes that roof slope itself does not currently affect Citizens wind-mitigation credits or discounts.

Don't confuse roof slope with roof shape

These are two different questions.

Roof slope describes how steep the roof is.

Roof geometry identifies the overall shape of the roof, such as whether it qualifies as a hip roof.

Roof geometry can still be important because qualifying hip roofs may receive mitigation consideration based on reduced uplift exposure.

3. More Documentation for the Roof Covering

This is one of the changes homeowners and real estate agents should pay particular attention to.

The revised form now requests more specific verification of the roof covering, including:

Permit application date OR product approval number, together with the year of installation.

The form also adds synthetic/composite tile as a roofing category.

For Citizens, supporting permits or product approval documentation may need to accompany the inspection to support certain roof-covering credits.

Why this can matter during a real estate transaction

A seller may know that:

“The roof was replaced in 2021.”

But the insurance documentation question can go further:

Can the year, permit and applicable construction standard be verified?

That makes roof permits and related documentation valuable records for sellers to keep and for buyers to request.

4. Roof Deck Attachment Has Become More Specific

The roof deck is the material beneath the roof covering that is attached to the roof framing.

The new form expands how those attachments are classified.

Among the changes are:

• Defined uplift-resistance thresholds

• Additional clarification for attachment classifications

• A category addressing certain spray-foam attachment systems

• More specific documentation requirements

Citizens also instructs that the roof-deck classification should be based upon the weakest attachment identified during the inspection.

What homeowners need to know

This is not something a homeowner or REALTOR® should try to determine themselves.

The takeaway is that the new form requires the inspector to document the connection more precisely than before.

5. Roof-to-Wall Connections Have Expanded

You've probably heard terms such as:

Toenails
Clips
Single wraps
Double wraps

These describe different ways the roof framing may be connected to the walls of the home.

The revised form keeps those familiar categories but adds options for purpose-made connectors evaluated using uplift-capacity thresholds, with manufacturer documentation required for certain classifications.

The classification is also based on the weakest applicable connection observed.

Why attic access matters

The inspector normally needs adequate access and visibility to identify the connection.

If the connection cannot be verified because there is no accessible attic or the condition cannot be identified, the form includes classifications for unknown or unidentified conditions.

For a buyer, this is another reason that providing inspectors reasonable access to the attic can matter.

6. Secondary Water Resistance Is Now “Sealed Roof Deck”

This section received a major rewrite.

The previous form largely identified Secondary Water Resistance, commonly called SWR, as present, absent or unknown.

The new form calls the section:

Sealed Roof Deck / Secondary Water Resistance

It now identifies several potential methods rather than treating SWR as one generic category.

Examples can include qualifying:

• Fully adhered roof underlayment

• Tape over roof-deck seams

• Certain double-layer underlayment installations

• Certain spray-foam installations

Whether a specific installation qualifies depends on the requirements of the form and supporting documentation.

Why documentation is especially important here

Much of the roof underlayment becomes hidden once a finished roof covering is installed.

That means an inspector may not be able to verify it visually several years later.

Citizens specifically notes that photographs, permits, FORTIFIED certification or other supporting documentation may be needed to establish the feature.

Important homeowner lesson:

Keep your roof permit, contract, product information and installation photographs after replacing your roof.

Those records could become useful long after the roofing contractor has completed the work.

7. Opening Protection Is More Detailed — and This Could Matter to Florida Buyers

Opening protection includes much more than just windows.

The inspection can include:

Windows
Exterior doors
Garage doors
Skylights
Other exterior openings

The revised form requires these openings to be classified using more detailed protection categories. Citizens states that opening-protection credit is determined by the weakest protection documented.

This creates an important misconception for homeowners and buyers:

“The house has impact windows” does not necessarily mean every opening qualifies at the same protection level.

For example, a property could have impact-resistant windows but a garage door, exterior door or other opening that does not have equivalent documented protection.

8. New Category for Damaged or Compromised Openings

The new form adds Category Z for damaged or compromised openings.

Citizens states that an opening requiring repair or replacement can prevent opening-protection credit from being applied until the condition is remediated and properly documented.

This can be particularly important during a real estate transaction.

A home may have hurricane-rated windows, for example, but damage to one component can create an insurance question that a buyer or seller did not anticipate.

REALTOR® takeaway

Don't assume:

“Impact windows = wind credit.”

The better question is:

“Can all applicable openings and their protection levels be verified?”

9. FORTIFIED Home Certifications Are Now Recognized

The revised form incorporates FORTIFIED Home™ certifications as supporting evidence for certain mitigation features.

The form recognizes:

FORTIFIED Roof™
FORTIFIED Silver™
FORTIFIED Gold™

Depending on the certification, it can help document eligible roof, opening-protection or continuous-load-path features.

This is another example of the new form placing greater emphasis on verifiable construction documentation.

The Biggest 2026 Change Isn't Just the Form — It's Documentation

For homeowners and REALTORS®, this may be the most important takeaway from the entire update.

OLD WAY OF THINKING

“My windows are impact.”

“My roof was replaced.”

“I have hurricane straps.”

“The roofer installed peel-and-stick.”

BETTER QUESTION IN 2026

Can the feature be verified and properly documented?

The revised form specifically requires documentation supporting mitigation attributes, whether through photographs, permits, product information, certifications or other acceptable evidence. Citizens also states that underwriting may request additional information when necessary.

That means documentation can become especially valuable when:

• Replacing a roof

• Installing impact windows or doors

• Replacing a garage door

• Adding hurricane protection

• Retrofitting roof-to-wall connections

• Improving the roof deck

• Purchasing an older property

What Does the New Form Mean for Homeowners?

The new form does not mean every homeowner will lose a wind mitigation discount.

It also does not mean every home needs a new inspection immediately.

Instead, the form provides a more detailed method of documenting the wind-resistant characteristics of the property.

Potential outcomes can depend on:

The construction features present
The documentation available
The property's location
The insurance carrier's underwriting and rating rules
Whether improvements have been made since the previous inspection

Florida's Department of Financial Services notes that insurance companies may independently verify mitigation inspections and supporting information.

What Does This Mean for REALTORS®?

For a real estate transaction, the issue isn't learning how to identify roof-deck fasteners or calculate wind loads.

The REALTOR® issue is:

Could an insurance documentation problem become a closing problem?

A few simple steps can help reduce surprises.

For listing agents: Ask sellers early whether they have roof permits, window documentation, shutter information, previous wind mitigation reports and records of major improvements.

For buyer's agents: Encourage the buyer to begin the insurance process early enough to identify underwriting questions during the transaction—not immediately before closing.

During inspection: Make sure the inspector has reasonable access to areas necessary to document the property.

After inspection: The buyer should provide the report to the licensed insurance professional who can determine what credits and underwriting rules apply to the specific policy.

Wind Mitigation Inspection vs. 4-Point Inspection

These inspections are frequently confused, but they serve different purposes.

Citizens separately updated its 4-Point Inspection Form in March 2025. Changes included a required water-heater TPR-valve photo, additional plumbing information, clarification concerning single-strand aluminum remediation, HVAC/fireplace questions and more information when visible roof leaks are reported.

Suggested internal link:
→ Florida 4-Point Inspection Changes: What Homeowners and REALTORS® Need to Know

This is good for SEO because you can build a separate 4-point page rather than trying to rank one article for two different search intents.

Do Wind Mitigation Discounts Still Apply in 2026?

Yes, wind mitigation continues to be used to document qualifying construction characteristics for applicable insurance credits.

The important distinction is that the inspector documents the construction features; the insurance company determines the premium and applicable credits.

When Citizens announced the new form, it specifically stated that the new categories and changes did not, at that time, create a difference in the credits available or applied.

Different carriers and policy types can apply underwriting and rating rules differently, so homeowners should confirm actual savings with their insurance professional.

Frequently Asked Questions About the New Florida Wind Mitigation Form

When did Florida's new wind mitigation form take effect?

OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26) became mandatory for wind mitigation inspections performed on or after April 1, 2026.

Do I need a new wind mitigation inspection because the form changed?

Not necessarily. Existing properly completed inspections may remain valid for up to five years if no material structural changes have occurred and no inaccuracies are identified.

How long is a Florida wind mitigation inspection valid?

The Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form is generally valid for up to five years, assuming there are no material changes to the structure and no inaccuracies are found.

Did the new form add new inspection categories?

Yes. Region and Roof Slope are new categories, bringing the primary residential form to nine sections.

Does roof slope affect my Citizens wind mitigation discount?

Citizens states that roof slope itself does not currently affect its wind mitigation credits or discounts, although it must now be documented on the form.

Do impact windows automatically qualify my home for the highest opening-protection credit?

Not necessarily. All applicable exterior openings must be evaluated, and the classification can be affected by the weakest level of protection present. Documentation of testing standards may also be required.

Can one damaged window or opening affect the opening-protection classification?

For Citizens, yes. The new form specifically includes a damaged/compromised category, and Citizens states that damaged openings requiring repair or replacement must be remediated before opening-protection credit is applied.

Is a wind mitigation inspection the same as a 4-point inspection?

No. A wind mitigation inspection documents features intended to reduce windstorm damage. A 4-point inspection reviews the roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems primarily for insurance underwriting purposes.

Buying or Selling a Florida Home? Get the Insurance Inspections Done Early.

Florida insurance requirements can become part of the real estate transaction.

Completing your wind mitigation and 4-point inspections early gives the buyer, REALTOR® and insurance professional more time to address documentation questions before closing.

HouseMaster provides wind mitigation, 4-point and home inspection services throughout Broward County and Greater Orlando, helping buyers and real estate professionals coordinate multiple inspection needs through one team.

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Actual insurance eligibility, premium and discounts are determined by the insurance carrier. Inspection findings document observed and verified property characteristics and do not guarantee insurance approval or a specific premium reduction.