TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Homeowners associations may no longer deny applications from homeowners to install certain storm-hardening equipment under a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this week.

What You Need To Know

  • House Bill 293 allows homeowners to harden their homes for hurricane season

  • While the bill allows homeowners associations to govern what they look like, they are now not allowed to reject such changes

  • Improvements covered by the law include, among other things, permanent fixed storm shutters, roll-down track storm shutters, and impact-resistant windows and doors

  • Lawmakers say the move could lower home insurance rates

“We deserve to protect our investment, which shelters the people we love the most in the world,” said Tallahassee Democratic Rep. Allison Tant, who voted in favor of the bill.

The bill, House Bill 293, covers numerous improvements, including permanent fixed storm shutters, roll-down track storm shutters, impact-resistent windows and doors, reinforced garage doors, exterior fixed generators, fuel storage tanks and more.

Lawmakers unanimously approved the bill in the 2024 legislative session.

“If you do some of these things, we can get your insurance costs down and start moving in the right direction,” said Tallahassee Republican Sen. Corey Simon.

However, there are limitations — HOAs have to set specifications for hurricane protection products, and can regulate the style and color of a storm-hardening product.

The new law is among Florida’s latest efforts to fortify itself and improve the state’s ailing property insurance market.

Among other initiatives, lawmakers pumped millions of dollars into the MySafeFlorida Home Program, which offers homeowners up to $10,000 to harden their homes.

Meanwhile, the Atlantic Hurricane Season begins on Saturday, June 1. NOAA is forecasting an “above normal” season, with 17 to 25 total named storms.