RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Economic Effectiveness of Implementing a Statewide Building Code: The Case of Florida JF Land Economics JO Land Econ FD University of Wisconsin Press SP 155 OP 174 DO 10.3368/le.94.2.155 VO 94 IS 2 A1 Simmons, Kevin M. A1 Czajkowski, Jeffrey A1 Done, James M. YR 2018 UL http://le.uwpress.org/content/94/2/155.abstract AB Hurricane Andrew revealed inadequate construction practices were utilized in Florida for decades. In response, Florida adopted a new statewide code—the 2001 Florida Building Code (FBC)—which became one of the strictest in the nation. We use 10 years of paid insured loss data to show that the FBC reduced windstorm losses by up to 72%, then use our results to conduct a benefit-cost analysis (BCA). The FBC passes the BCA by a margin of $6 in full reduced loss to $1 of added cost, with a payback period of approximately 8 years. (JEL Q54, Q58)