Hurricane Shutters and Impact Windows in Port St. Lucie

Many Port St. Lucie homes were built before modern opening protection rules, and many newer ones sit in HOAs with their own shutter rules. Both shape what you can put up.

County: St. Lucie County
Permits: Usually the City of Port St. Lucie Building Department. Confirm for your address.

The Florida Building Code got much stricter after Hurricane Andrew, and the statewide code that took effect in the early 2000s raised requirements for windows and doors. A lot of Port St. Lucie homes from the 1980s and 1990s were built before then and may have no opening protection, or old panels that have been sitting in the garage for years. Newer homes in Tradition, Verano and St. Lucie West were built under the current code, but owners still upgrade to impact windows or permanent shutters for convenience.

Options for block homes

On a concrete block house, accordion shutters, roll down shutters, removable panels and impact windows are all common. Panels cost less but take time to put up before every storm. Accordion and roll down shutters stay on the house. Impact windows protect without any setup, which matters if you travel or are a seasonal resident. Whatever you choose, it needs Florida Product Approval or an equivalent approval for our wind zone.

Permits, HOAs and insurance

Permanent shutters, impact windows and impact doors usually need a permit through the City of Port St. Lucie Building Department. The installer normally pulls it. Ask whether it's in the quote, and keep the final inspection record.

Most HOAs have rules about shutter type and color, and many limit how long shutters can stay closed before or after a storm. Check the rules before you buy, because a product that doesn't match the guidelines can mean a violation letter.

A wind mitigation inspection can document opening protection, and it may lower the windstorm part of your insurance premium. Ask your insurance agent what they need to see.

Related storm prep

The garage door is often the weakest opening in a Port St. Lucie home. See garage doors in Port St. Lucie. A standby generator is the other half of many storm plans, see standby generators in Port St. Lucie. General information on product types is on the hurricane shutters page, and the city overview is on the Port St. Lucie area page.

Check before you hireWindow, door and shutter installs often need a state contractor license and a permit, depending on the county. Look up the license at myfloridalicense.com and ask for proof of insurance.

Hurricane shutters and impact windows questions in Port St. Lucie

Do I need a permit for hurricane shutters in Port St. Lucie?

For permanent shutters, impact windows and impact doors, usually yes, through the City of Port St. Lucie Building Department. The installer normally pulls the permit. Storing removable panels you already own usually doesn't need one. Ask the business whether the permit and inspection are included in the quote.

Does my Port St. Lucie HOA have shutter rules?

Most do. Associations often set which shutter types and colors are allowed and how long shutters may stay closed before and after a storm. Some require architectural approval before installation. Read your guidelines or call management before you buy, so the product you choose doesn't need to be changed later.

Will impact windows lower my insurance in Port St. Lucie?

They may. A wind mitigation inspection documents opening protection, and insurers may give a credit on the windstorm portion of the premium. The amount depends on your insurer and the rest of the house. Ask your agent what documentation they need before you choose a product.

My 1990s Port St. Lucie home has no shutters. Where do I start?

Start by checking whether there are old panels or tracks already on the house, and get a wind mitigation inspection to see what you have. Then compare options like panels, accordion or roll down shutters, and impact windows. The garage door is often the weakest point, so include it in the plan.

For the general guide, see Hurricane shutters and impact windows on the Treasure Coast. For more about the town, see Port St. Lucie.

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