building codes

It's become common to see new homes in South Florida constructed on land raised by trucked-in gravel. But neighbors wonder — especially after the latest “rain bomb” to hit Fort Lauderdale — if the standards to raise new construction make flooding worse for surrounding older homes.

What would it look like to shift from risky development and wasteful design? Some of the world’s most forward-thinking designers weigh in.

The Florida Building Commission says there is no reason they see to treat coastal and inland buildings differently. That was a key idea behind the post-Surfside law that passed in 2022.

This year Florida lawmakers changed the way the state building codes are updated. There are concerns the new law could weaken the integrity of Florida...