Florida home inspection checklist (FAC 61-30 Standards of Practice)
Florida licensed home inspectors must follow the Standards of Practice in Chapter 61-30 of the Florida Administrative Code, rules 61-30.801 through 61-30.811. This page turns those rules into a working checklist: each section lists the systems and components the rule requires you to inspect, with its exact rule reference.
Official source: Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 61-30 (flrules.org)
Every section verified against the source on: September 12, 2026
1. General duties
Source: Florida Standards of Practice — FAC 61-30.801–61-30.811 (DBPR), 61-30.801 — verified September 12, 2026
The inspector shall
2. Structure
Source: Florida Standards of Practice — FAC 61-30.801–61-30.811 (DBPR), 61-30.802 — verified September 12, 2026
Inspect all visible structural systems and components
Not required by 61-30.802 — do not present these as inspection items
- Enter or traverse any under-floor crawl space or attic where an unsafe or unsanitary condition exists, clearance is inadequate for safe entry, or entry may damage insulation, ductwork, other components or stored items
- Provide any engineering or architectural services or offer an opinion as to the adequacy of any structural system or component
3. Electrical systems
Source: Florida Standards of Practice — FAC 61-30.801–61-30.811 (DBPR), 61-30.803 — verified September 12, 2026
Inspect all visible and readily accessible electrical systems and components
Not required by 61-30.803 — do not present these as inspection items
- Inspect remote control devices
- Inspect security alarm systems and components
- Inspect low voltage wiring, systems and components, ancillary wiring and systems not part of the primary electrical power distribution system
- Inspect generators, photovoltaic solar collectors or battery or electrical storage devices and associated equipment
- Measure amperage, voltage or impedance
- Perform a load calculation
- Insert any tool, probe, or device into any electrical component
- Determine the accuracy of circuit labeling
4. HVAC systems
Source: Florida Standards of Practice — FAC 61-30.801–61-30.811 (DBPR), 61-30.804 — verified September 12, 2026
Heating and air conditioning — inspect all readily accessible systems and components
HVAC distribution — inspect readily accessible components
Not required by 61-30.804 — do not present these as inspection items
- Inspect interiors of flues or chimneys which are not readily accessible, heat exchangers, humidifiers or dehumidifiers, electronic air filters, sanitizers, or UV lights, solar space heating systems, or internal components such as coils and pans
- Inspect humidistats, automatic HVAC zoned systems, dampers, or controls that are not readily accessible, or removable window air conditioning systems
- Determine heat supply adequacy or distribution balance
- Operate heat pump systems when ambient temperatures pose the potential for damage
- Determine cooling supply adequacy, distribution balance or indoor air quality
- Operate the air conditioning system when ambient temperatures pose the potential for damage
5. Roof covering
Source: Florida Standards of Practice — FAC 61-30.801–61-30.811 (DBPR), 61-30.805 — verified September 12, 2026
Inspect all visible and readily accessible roof covering systems and components
Not required by 61-30.805 — do not present these as inspection items
- Inspect components or systems that are not readily accessible, antenna or other installed accessories, or interiors of flues or chimneys which are not readily accessible
- Walk on the roof surface when the slope is excessive, there is no safe access, climatic conditions make it unsafe, the condition of the material or decking makes it unsafe, walking may damage the roof covering, or walking would create liability or danger
- Disturb insulation
6. Plumbing system
Source: Florida Standards of Practice — FAC 61-30.801–61-30.811 (DBPR), 61-30.806 — verified September 12, 2026
Inspect all visible and readily accessible plumbing systems and components
Not required by 61-30.806 — do not present these as inspection items
- Inspect wells or water storage related equipment, water conditioning systems, solar water heating systems, fire sprinkler systems, private waste disposal systems, or irrigation systems
- Test shower pans, tub and shower surround for leakage
- Operate safety valves or shut-off valves
- Determine whether water supply and waste disposal systems are public or private
- Determine the quantity or quality of the water supply, or whether the functional flow will meet the client's needs
7. Interior components
Source: Florida Standards of Practice — FAC 61-30.801–61-30.811 (DBPR), 61-30.807 — verified September 12, 2026
Inspect all visible and readily accessible interior components
Not required by 61-30.807 — do not present these as inspection items
- Inspect paint, wallpaper, window treatments and other specialty finish treatments, carpeting, central vacuum systems, recreational facilities, fire screens and doors (if not permanently attached), seals and gaskets on fireplaces, automatic fuel feed devices, mantles and fireplace surrounds, combustion make-up air devices, or heat distribution assists
- Open or operate windows, doors or access covers that are secured, painted shut, or blocked by stored items or furniture
- Ignite or extinguish fires, or light gas fireplaces, heaters, or other unlit pilot light devices
- Determine draft characteristics for fireplaces and chimneys
- Move fireplace inserts, stoves or firebox contents, or disturb insulation
- Activate any system or appliance that is shut down, disconnected, or otherwise inoperable, or that does not respond to normal user controls
- Operate any gas appliance that requires manual lighting of a pilot light or burner
- Operate any system, appliance or feature that requires special codes, keys, combinations, or devices or a user manual
- Operate any system, component, or appliance where damage may occur, in the opinion of the inspector
- Determine thermostat calibration, adequacy of heating elements, or operate self cleaning cycles, door seals, indicator lights, timers, clocks, defrost cycles or other specialist features
- Determine leakage from microwave ovens
- Determine the presence or operation of back draft damper devices in exhaust devices
- Move any appliance, or confirm operation of every control or feature
8. Exterior components
Source: Florida Standards of Practice — FAC 61-30.801–61-30.811 (DBPR), 61-30.810 — verified September 12, 2026
Inspect all visible and readily accessible exterior systems and components
Not required by 61-30.810 — do not present these as inspection items
- Inspect window and door screening, shutters, awnings, and similar seasonal or protective accessories and devices
- Inspect fences, recreational facilities, outbuildings, swimming pools, seawalls, break-walls, boat lifts and/or docks
- Move furniture, appliances, lawn and garden equipment, tools, stored items, wall decorations, floor covering, clothing or any items that block the view and access
9. Site conditions that affect the structure
Source: Florida Standards of Practice — FAC 61-30.801–61-30.811 (DBPR), 61-30.811 — verified September 12, 2026
Inspect all visible and readily accessible site conditions that affect the structure
Not required by 61-30.811 — do not present these as inspection items
- Inspect geological, geotechnical or hydrological site conditions
- Inspect erosion control and earth stabilization measures
How to use this checklist
Open it on any phone, tablet, or computer during the walkthrough. Mark each item OK (inspected, no deficiency observed), DEF (deficient — the finding goes in your report), or N/I (not inspected, with the reason in the section notes). Then print or save the page as a US Letter PDF: the printed document carries the standard's reference, the verification date, and the disclaimer. Nothing is stored anywhere — the page holds your marks only until you close it, which is the point: your working document leaves with you as a PDF.
The collapsed “Not required” block inside each section lists what the standard explicitly excludes. Those exclusions are part of the standard: they are shown so that no exclusion is ever mistaken for an inspection item, and so you can point a client to the exact limitation when a question comes up.
Frequently asked questions
Which standard applies to home inspections in Florida?
The Florida Standards of Practice in Chapter 61-30 of the Florida Administrative Code, rules 61-30.801 through 61-30.811, administered by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. This checklist is structured from those rules, section by section.
Is this checklist an official Florida report form?
No. Florida's standard defines what must be inspected and reported, not a mandatory form. This page is a working document structured from FAC 61-30 — it does not replace the standard, and your professional report remains your own responsibility.
Do I have to walk on the roof during a Florida inspection?
Not always. Rule 61-30.805(4) lists conditions under which you are not required to walk the roof: excessive slope, no safe access, unsafe climatic conditions, unsafe material or decking condition, risk of damage to the roof covering, or liability and danger concerns.
How many doors and windows must I inspect?
A representative number. Rule 61-30.801(3) provides that where multiple instances of the same component exist, a representative number shall be inspected, and 61-30.807(2) confirms this for doors and windows.
Does this tool store my inspection data?
No. Everything runs in your browser. Marks and notes exist only until you close the page — print or save the PDF before leaving. There is no account and no server storage.