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Florida Barndominium Kits
Whether you are just starting on your barndominium design or if you are looking for a turn-key builder that specializes in barndominiums.
Our local Florida barndominium contractors are experts with over 10,000 completed builds and can help you finish any size project.
We can help you save up to 40% on your kit with our wholesale nationwide pricing.
The Barndominium Experts in Florida
Let our high-volume purchasing power help you pay less on your metal kit.
Our wholesale pricing can save you up to 40% off retail prices. With our network of professional Florida builders and contractors, you get our price savings and local experience pros working on your build.
Barndominium Kits
Barndominiums offer a high degree of customization. They cater to various design preferences and functional needs. We can build any size structure with our customized kits.
Barndominium Planning
We can help you plan the type and size of your structure. Our structures can vary from modern farmhouse style to industrial chic. If you have your ballpark dimensions, we can give you a quote.
Barndominium Contractors
Do not trust your construction to just any general contractor. You want to work with experts in metal building construction. We have completed over 10,000 metal projects in Florida.
The Top Barndominium Builders in Florida
For those interested in constructing a barndominium in Florida, you have many great builders to choose from. Florida hosts a diverse array of companies specializing in these unique structures, which blend the rustic charm of a barn with the modern comforts of a home. Below is a digest of some builders that you might consider:
- MBMI – They bring expertise in crafting customized barndominiums that cater to a client’s specific desires.
- Back Forty Buildings – Known for their durability and customization, they provide a significant array of options for personalization.
- Keens Buildings – They offer a combination of robust steel construction with flexible design choices suitable for different needs.
- Florida Barndominiums LLC – Gaining recognition for their process and results, they have been noted in several awards for their barndominium creations.
10k
completed builds
34%
Average savings
Can You Build A Barndo In Florida?
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Imagine opening the door to a spacious, beautiful home that can accommodate a large family, all of your hobbies, or even a home-based business requiring a roomy workshop. If you dream of building a barndominium in Florida, the first step is to research Florida’s building codes and zoning ordinances.
Florida is not the most barndo-friendly state; it is common to run into some roadblocks when attempting to build a barndominium here. But the good news is that it islegal, and it can be done.
To save you time and to help you get started in the right direction with your research and planning, we have put together this guide to Florida barndominium laws.
Are Barndominiums Allowed in Florida?
Let’s start by answering the most basic question many prospective barndo owners have. Is it even legal to build or live in a barndominium in FL? The short answer is “yes.”
On a state-wide level, there is no law that bans barndominiums in Florida. What is important to know, however, is that individual cities and counties each have their own sets of building codes and zoning regulations.
You will need to navigate those local laws to make sure that you are choosing a site where you can legally construct a barndo, and that your barndo’s design will conform to your locale’s building requirements.
What to Know About Florida Barndominium Laws
Let’s go over some specific information about barndominium laws in FL. We will start by discussing the state-wide codes that regulate construction everywhere. Then we will discuss local laws and special requirements.
All Barndos Must Adhere to the Florida Building Codes
The Florida Building Codes are the state-wide codes that apply to every city and county throughout the state.
If you visit the link above to browse through these codes, you will notice that they are broken down into categories. The “Residential” Florida Building Code will be of particular interest to you, but some of these other Codes are also relevant to barndominiums (“Plumbing,” for example).
If you have an existing barn you wish to convert, take a look at the “Existing Building” Code.
Another key resource at the state level is the Florida Building Commission website. This website provides you with another way to access the Florida Building Codes, and offers additional information and tools as well.
Check Local Building Codes and Zoning Requirements Before Building a FL Barndo
When you are researching Florida building code for barndominiums, you also need to take a look at the building codes set by the individual city or county where you are hoping to build. Pay special attention to building codes for metal structures (which many modern barndominiums are).
Here is an example of a local resource that would be applicable to builders of barndominiums in Miami-Dade County. This page sums up the county’s building rules and regulations for metal structures. You would need to meet these requirements in order to get approval for your banrdo project in this county.
Along with the local building codes, do not forget to check the zoning requirements for the specific site where you want to build your barndo. The zoning requirements will tell you whether this is a legal use of that land.
In general, you will discover that it is easier to build a barndo in a rural part of FL than it is to do so in an urban area. Allen Craig of Tampa Treasures Realty explains, “Some of the zoning unfortunately doesn’t allow you to build that type of building in some residential areas and then some parts of the cities.”
If you have questions at any point during the planning process, you can contact your local building department. They will be able to discuss your project with you and help you figure out whether you can build a barndo locally, and if so, what requirements you need to meet.
Key Benefits
- Design Flexibility: Barndominiums can be customized to a variety of styles and functional requirements.
- Cost-Effective: These metal buildings provide an affordable alternative to traditional construction methods.
- Durability: Built to withstand extreme weather, they are resistant to fire, corrosion, pests, and mold.
- Low Maintenance: The robust nature of metal construction translates to minimal upkeep.
30%
lower costs
44%
faster build time
Special Requirements for Barndominiums in Florida
Now that we have had a chance to share some resources and information about building codes and zoning requirements in Florida, let’s go over some special considerations for building a barndo in this state. These are some of the things to “watch out” for in the building regulations.
1. Flood zone regulations
Are you planning on building your barndominium in a flood zone? If so, you will need to make sure that the elevation of your floor is at a minimum height specified by the county.
The exact height varies from county to county, but one example is a foot above the highest level that floodwater reached within the past century.
Not only will you need to meet this building requirement for permit approval, but it is also important for the long term safety and structural integrity of your barndominium.
It is important to be aware that FEMA updates the flood elevation maps every five years. Make sure you are looking at current data when you plan your barndo elevation.
2. Hurricane zone regulations
If you are building a barndominium in a hurricane zone, it will need to meet the same rigorous standards as any other type of building to stand up to high winds and debris blown about by these powerful storms.
South Florida is particularly known for its strict hurricane building codes. North Florida historically is not as stringent as South Florida, but still sets key requirements that all buildings must meet.
Some people believe that barndominiums cannot stand up to hurricane-force winds, but that is a myth.
A well-constructed metal barndo can tolerate hurricane conditions just as effectively as a well-built traditional home.
As we move into a future of increasingly disruptive climate events, it is likely that hurricane building codes in FL will become even stricter.
We also expect to see decreased use of wood for framing residences. As a barndominium is typically a metal building, you will be ahead of the game there.
3. Flood zone regulations
While placing a home at elevation is one thing that helps to mitigate the risk of building in a flood zone, it is not the only requirement.
The soil underneath a home in a flood zone is also susceptible to damage or alteration from floodwaters.
For that reason, in Florida, you are required by law to build on a foundation. That is especially important to take note of when you are building a barndo, because barndominiums are often constructed as pole barns. Pole barns do not always have foundations.
But here, no matter the construction method you choose, a foundation must be included.
Permitting and Inspections
When you have your barndo blueprints all drawn up and you are ready to build, you will first need to obtain your building permit. Be sure to submit all required documentation so that you can secure the most rapid approval.
Once you have a permit, you can begin construction. Be ready for multiple visits during the process by inspectors from the city and/or county. The purpose of these inspections is to make sure that you really are building to code.
