Updated · Facts checked
Broward is inside the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone
The Florida Building Code's strictest wind section, the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, covers only Miami-Dade and Broward counties [1].
That changes what customers here look for. The state's product approval system separates products approved for use inside the zone from those approved outside it [1], so a homeowner replacing a roof, windows, doors or shutters in Fort Lauderdale may ask whether the products you install are approved for it. If they are, say so on the service page, in plain words, and list the product lines you actually use. Don't claim approvals you haven't checked.
Broward licensing after House Bill 735
Broward County licenses many of its own tradespeople, and a state law, House Bill 735, changed which local licenses can exist.
- The county issues certificates of competency to more than 12,000 tradespeople across electrical, plumbing, mechanical and building trades [2].
- House Bill 735 barred certain local certificates of competency; after two extensions the deadline became July 1, 2025 [2].
- If your county certificate was affected, show whichever license now covers your work. A website still showing a retired county number confuses customers checking it.
Florida law requires a contractor's license number in every advertisement, regardless of medium. Our Florida license number guide explains where it goes on a site.
City receipt first, then Broward County
Fort Lauderdale ties its business tax to activity inside city limits, and the city's own answers set the order for you.
- Anyone "engaging in or managing a business" within the city pays the annual business tax [3].
- "Most businesses are required to obtain both" the city and the county receipt, and "in most cases, the City Business Tax Receipt must be obtained first" [3].
- A home-based business gets a restricted receipt, with a copy of a Florida driver's license or state ID and a home-based affidavit [3].
Boats, condos and other places you go to
Plenty of Fort Lauderdale businesses never receive a customer at their own address, and both the website and the Google listing should reflect that.
Boat detailers, canvas makers, mobile mechanics, pool services, dog groomers in vans and cleaners all travel to the customer. Google's guidelines say a service-area business "should hide your business address from customers" and keep its service area within about two hours' drive [4]. On the website, name the marinas, neighborhoods or buildings you work in instead of a street address: Las Olas, Victoria Park, Flagler Village, Rio Vista, Harbor Beach, Coral Ridge, and nearby Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, Dania Beach, Pompano Beach, Plantation and Davie. Our service area guide covers the rest.
The people searching for you
The Census Bureau's latest figures for the city point to a website that is easy to read and, for many trades, worth offering in two languages.
- 188,677 residents, July 2025 estimate [5].
- 30.1% speak a language other than English at home, and 27.0% were born abroad (2020 to 2024) [5].
- 19.6% are 65 or older [5].
Our Business Site ($599) covers up to 8 pages in two languages, which suits most Fort Lauderdale trades: a page per service, the hurricane-zone note where it applies, and the license line. Check what your current site already does with the free Website Check, or read the trade pages for roofers and HVAC companies.
Questions from Fort Lauderdale owners
What owners in Broward ask us most.
Does the hurricane zone matter for a painter or a cleaner?
Not directly. It matters for work on a building's shell: roofs, windows, doors, shutters and some structural jobs.
My business is in Wilton Manors. Is this page for me?
Wilton Manors is a separate city, so check its own business tax rules, but the Broward licensing, hurricane-zone and service-area notes here apply to you too.
Can my site show my county certificate and my state license?
Yes, if both are current. Show the license type next to each number so customers know what each one covers.
Keep reading
Related pages for the same kind of business, plus the guides and free tools that go with this one.
Sources
Every outside fact on this page comes from the sources below, read on the date shown. Prices and plans change; check the source before you decide.
- Engineering Express, "What is the HVHZ (High Velocity Hurricane Zone) in Florida?" (read October 26, 2026). The HVHZ covers only Miami-Dade and Broward; the Florida Product Approval System separates products for use inside and outside the HVHZ.
- Broward County Building Code Division, "Contractors" (read October 26, 2026). Certificates of competency for more than 12,000 tradespeople; House Bill 735 preemption, deadline extended to July 1, 2025.
- City of Fort Lauderdale, "Business Tax Frequently Asked Questions" (read October 26, 2026). Tax applies to business within city limits; most businesses need city and county receipts, city first; restricted receipt for home-based businesses.
- Google Business Profile Help, "Guidelines for representing your business on Google" (read October 26, 2026). Service-area businesses should hide their address; service area within about 2 hours' drive.
- U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Fort Lauderdale city, Florida (read October 26, 2026). Population 188,677 (July 1, 2025); language other than English at home 30.1%; foreign-born 27.0%; 65 and over 19.6%.