ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Orlando City Code ch. 9, art. I

in effect

Orlando City Code § 9.01 Adoption and Title.

Sec. 9.01. - Adoption and Title. There is hereby adopted for the City of Orlando a code to be known and cited as the "City of Orlando Building Security Code," which may in the alternative be cited as Chapter 9 of the Code of the City of Orlando. (Ord. of 5-23-1983, Doc. #17768)

Orlando City Code § 9.02 Purpose.

Sec. 9.02. - Purpose. The purpose of the Building Security Code is to provide minimum requirements for regulation and control of the design, construction and materials used in residential and commercial buildings within the City of Orlando with the objective of improving security by limiting opportunities for criminal activity against the structure and the occupants and/or contents therein. (Ord. of 5-23-1983, Doc. #17768)

Orlando City Code § 9.03 Scope.

Sec. 9.03. - Scope. (a) The provisions of this Code shall apply to all new construction and to existing structures when additions, alterations or repairs to existing structures exceed fifty percent (50%) of the then physical value of said structures when such additions, alterations, or repairs are made during any twelve (12) month period. (b) Special Historic Building. The provisions of this code relating to the construction alteration, repair, enlargement, restoration, relocation or moving of buildings or structures shall not be mandatory for existing buildings or structures identified and classified by the state or local jurisdiction as Historic Buildings when such buildings or structures are judged by the Building Official to be safe and in the public interest of health, safety and welfare regarding any proposed construction, alteration, repair, enlargement, restoration, relocation or moving of such buildings or structures. The applicant must submit complete architectural and engineering plans and specifications bearing the seal of a registered professional engineer or architect prior to any of the activity listed above. (Ord. of 5-23-1983, Doc. #17768)

Orlando City Code § 9.04 Enforcement.

Sec. 9.04. - Enforcement. The provisions of this Code shall be enforced by the City Building Official and the Office of Permitting Services. (Ord. of 5-23-1983, Doc. #17768; Ord. of 12-13-1999, § 2, Doc. #32494)

Orlando City Code § 9.05 Construction and Interpretation.

Sec. 9.05. - Construction and Interpretation. (a) The Building Security Code shall be construed and interpreted in light of and in consonance with the Building Code (City Code Chapter 13) and the Fire Prevention Code (City Code Chapter 24) in order to protect the public health, welfare and safety. Whenever any provision, requirement or standard contained in the Building Security Code is in conflict or inconsistent with a provision, requirement or standard contained in the Building Code or the Fire Prevention Code dealing with or pertaining to the same subject, then and in that event the most stringent provision, requirement or standard; shall apply, control and govern to the exclusion of the less stringent provision, requirement or standard; provided, however, that no provision of the Building Security Code shall supersede any provision of the NFPA Life Safety Code in case of conflict or inconsistency. (b) Alternate Materials and Alternate Methods of Construction. The provisions of this Code are not intended to prevent the use of any material or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this Code, provided any such alternate has been approved and its use authorized by the Building Official. The Building Official shall approve any such alternate, provided he finds that same is satisfactory and complies with the provisions of Chapter XII, of the Standard Building Code and the requirements of this Code and that the material, method, or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this Building Security Code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire-resistance, durability, and safety. The Building Official shall require that sufficient evidence or proof be submitted to substantiate any claim that may be made regarding the use of such alternate. If, in the opinion of the Building Official, the evidence and proof are not sufficient to justify approval, the applicant may present the matter to the Building Adjustments and Appeals Board. (Ord. of 5-23-1983, Doc. #17768)

Orlando City Code § 9.06 Responsibility for Compliance.

Sec. 9.06. - Responsibility for Compliance. The owner of property, or his agent with respect to such property, shall be held responsible and liable for compliance with the requirements of the Building Security Code. (Ord. of 5-23-1983, Doc. #17768)

Orlando City Code § 9.07 Right of Entry.

Sec. 9.07. - Right of Entry. (a) The Building Official or any inspector of the Office of Permitting Services may at all reasonable times have free access and right of entry to any building, whether completed or still under construction, for the purpose of making an inspection to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Building Security Code. (b) No person, whether owner, occupant, lessee, manager or operator of any building, property or other premises, shall fail or refuse, after proper credentials are displayed, to permit entry for the purpose of inspection pursuant to the provisions of the Building Security Code. (Ord. of 5-23-1983, Doc. #17768; Ord. of 12-13-1999, § 2, Doc. #32494)

Orlando City Code § 9.08 Stop Work Orders.

Sec. 9.08. - Stop Work Orders. Upon notice from the Building Official or any inspector of the Office of Permitting Services, work on any building or structure that is being done contrary to the provisions of the Building Security Code shall be stopped immediately. Such notice shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner of the property or to his agent or to the person doing the work and shall state the nature of the non-compliance and the conditions under which work may be resumed. (Ord. of 5-23-1983, Doc. #17768; Ord. of 12-13-1999, § 2, Doc. #32494)

Orlando City Code § 9.09 Appeals.

Sec. 9.09. - Appeals. Whenever the Building Official shall reject or refuse to approve the mode or manner of construction proposed to be followed, or materials to be used in the erection or alteration of a building or structure, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the Building Security Code do not apply, or that an equally good or more desirable form of construction can be employed in any specific case, or when it is claimed that the true intent and meaning of the Building Security Code or any of the regulations thereunder have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the owner of such building or structure, or his duly authorized agent, may appeal from the decision of the Building Official to the Building and Fire Codes Board of Appeal. Notice of appeal shall be in writing and filed within ninety (90) days after the decision is rendered by the Building Official. A fee of $100.00 shall accompany such notice of appeal. (Ord. of 5-23-1983, Doc. #17768; Ord. No. 2015-52, § 1, 11-16-2015, Doc. #1511161205)

Orlando City Code § 9.10 Decisions of Building and Fire Codes Board of Appeal.

Sec. 9.10. - Decisions of Building and Fire Codes Board of Appeal. (a) Every decision of the Building and Fire Codes Board of Appeal shall be final when approved by the City Council of the City of Orlando, subject however, to such remedy as any aggrieved party might have at law or in equity. Such decision shall be in writing, and shall indicate the vote upon the decision. Every decision shall be promptly filed in the office of the Permitting Services Division and shall be open to public inspections; a certified copy shall be sent by mail or otherwise to the appellant and a copy shall be kept posted in the City Hall lobby, or other location used within the City Hall for public notices, for two (2) weeks after filing. Notice of appeal of an adverse ruling by the Building and Fire Codes Board of Appeal shall follow the procedures as set forth in City Code Chapter 2, Article XXXII "Procedures For Quasi-Judicial Hearings." (b) The Building and Fire Codes Board of Appeal shall in every case reach a decision without unreasonable or unnecessary delay. (c) If a decision of the Building and Fire Codes Board of Appeal reverses or modifies a refusal, order, or disallowance of the Building Official, or varies the application of any provision of this Code, the Building Official shall upon approval of the City Council of the City of Orlando take action in accordance with such decision. (Ord. of 5-23-1983, Doc. #17768; Ord. No. 2015-52, § 1, 11-16-2015, Doc. #1511161205)

Orlando City Code § 9.11 Violations and Penalty.

Sec. 9.11. - Violations and Penalty. (a) Any person, firm, corporation or agent who shall violate a provision of the Building Security Code, or fail to comply with any of the requirements, provisions or standards thereof, or who shall erect, construct, alter, repair, renovate, or modify any building or structure in violation of a detailed statement or drawing submitted and approved thereunder, shall be punished as provided in Section 1.08 of the Code of the City of Orlando. (b) Each person, firm, corporation or agent shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of the Building Security Code is committed or continued and subject to the penalties provided in Section 1.08 of the Code of the City of Orlando. (Ord. of 5-23-1983, Doc. #17768)

Orlando City Code § 9.12 Definitions.

Sec. 9.12. - Definitions. For the purposes of the Building Security Code, the following definitions shall apply: (a) Interior Door shall mean and include any door within a building. (b) Exterior Door shall mean and include any door providing entry to or exit from a living area and any door leading into or from an enclosed garage or utility area into a living area; with the exclusion of garage overhead door(s) and sliding glass door(s) or any equivalent. (c) Living Area shall mean and include all areas constructed for the purpose of, or primarily used for, human habitation and the preparation of meals, eating, or sleeping and shall include, but not be limited to, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, Florida rooms, family rooms, dens, great rooms, game rooms, and similar rooms within a building or structure. (d) Skylight shall mean and include an opening in a roof for the primary purpose of allowing light to enter. (e) Unconditioned Space shall mean and include all areas constructed for the purpose of, or primarily used for, activities ancillary to the living area and shall include, but not be limited to, garages, utility rooms, carports, screened porches, covered entry ways and similar areas attached to the living area. (f) Window shall mean and include any window located in an exterior wall of a one and two family dwelling or a multiple occupancy dwelling, which wall encloses a living area, and any window located in a wall in an enclosed garage or utility area which leads into a living area and any window located in an exterior wall of a commercial/industrial building. (g) ASTM means, refers to and is the abbreviation for American Society for Testing and Materials. (h) AAMA means, refers to and is the abbreviation for Architectural Aluminum Manufacturers Association. (i) ANSI means, refers to and is the abbreviation for American National Standards Institute. (j) IES means, refers to and is the abbreviation for Illumination Engineering Society of North America. (k) CPSC means, refers to and is the abbreviation for the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission. (l) UL means, refers to and is the abbreviation for Underwriters Laboratory. (m) GSA means, refers to and is the abbreviation for the federal General Services Administration. (Ord. of 5-23-1983, Doc. #17768; Ord. No. 2025-41, § 1, 1-12-2026, Doc. #26011212a)

Source: City of Orlando, Florida, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/orlando/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIICICO_CH9BUSECO_ARTIADENFetched: 11/1/2026