Boynton Beach and Boca Raton Building Recertification: Infrared Requirements Explained

Stephen Fike

3 hours ago

7 min read

Quick Answer: Do Boynton Beach and Boca Raton Require Infrared Inspections for Building Recertification?

Yes, for larger electrical systems. Both cities run their own building recertification programs that go beyond Florida's statewide milestone inspection, and both include an electrical review. In each city, buildings with electrical systems operating at 400 amperes or greater must include an infrared thermography inspection performed by a Level II or higher certified thermographer (Boynton Beach, Boca Raton).

The main differences are which buildings are covered, when the first recertification is due, and the experience the thermographer must have.

Key Takeaways

Florida's statewide milestone law is a structural inspection for condo and co-op buildings three habitable stories or taller, due at 30 years, or 25 where the local building department sets it (Florida Statutes 553.899).
Palm Beach County chose to follow the state milestone framework for unincorporated areas rather than create a Miami-Dade-style recertification program, so the rules depend on the city where the building sits (Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners).
Boynton Beach requires recertification at 25 years and every 10 years after for condo and co-op buildings three stories or taller and for threshold buildings (City of Boynton Beach).
Boca Raton requires recertification at 30 years, or 25 years for condo and co-op buildings within 3 miles of the coast, and covers threshold buildings at 30 years (City of Boca Raton).
Both cities require their own report forms, so a generic thermography report may be returned.

Why These Two Cities Have Their Own Rules

After the Champlain Towers South collapse in 2021, Florida created statewide milestone inspections for condominium and cooperative buildings. That law is structural. It does not require an electrical inspection or thermography (Florida Statutes 553.899).

Miami-Dade and Broward have long had county recertification programs with an electrical component. Palm Beach County staff recommended following the state framework with no additional requirements (Palm Beach County agenda item), so some cities created their own. Boca Raton adopted its program in August 2021 and was the first city in Palm Beach County to do so (Sun Sentinel). Boynton Beach modeled its program after Miami-Dade County's and includes electrical service equipment, excluding unit panels (City of Boynton Beach).

Boynton Beach Building Recertification

Which buildings are covered

Boynton Beach Ordinance 22-025 requires recertification for all condominium and cooperative buildings three stories or taller and all threshold buildings (City of Boynton Beach). Single-family, two-family, and three-family homes and townhomes with three or fewer habitable stories are exempt, as are school, university, and government buildings (Boynton Beach local amendment).

When it is due

The first inspection is due by December 31 of the year the building reaches 25 years of age, based on the certificate of occupancy date, and then every 10 years (City of Boynton Beach). The City sends written notice at least a year before the deadline.

How the process works

Phase one: A licensed architect or engineer performs a visual examination of the structure and the electrical service equipment, excluding unit panels, and submits the report within the time stated in the City's notice (City of Boynton Beach).
Phase two: This is required if phase one identifies electrical service problems or substantial structural deterioration. It must include a repair plan and schedule.
Forms: All building and electrical reports must use Boynton Beach guideline reports. Proprietary report forms are not accepted, and each building needs its own report (City of Boynton Beach).

Boynton Beach infrared thermography requirement

For electrical systems operating at 400 amperes or greater, the electrical report must include an infrared thermography inspection with a written report. Equipment to scan includes busways, switchgear, panelboards (except dwelling unit load centers), disconnects, VFDs, starters, control panels, timers, meter centers, gutters, junction boxes, transfer switches, exhaust fans, and transformers (Boynton Beach electrical guidelines).

The inspection must be performed by a Level II or higher certified infrared thermographer with more than 7 years of experience inspecting electrical systems in commercial buildings. The thermography report may follow page 9 of the electrical report or be uploaded separately as a "Thermography Report" (City of Boynton Beach).

Boca Raton Building Recertification

Aerial view of Boca Raton, Florida, showing oceanfront condominium towers, the Boca Raton Inlet, and Lake Boca Raton

Boca Raton oceanfront condominiums near the inlet, where the 25-year coastal recertification rule applies to condo and co-op buildings within 3 miles of the coast. Photo: Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; cropped.

Which buildings are covered

Boca Raton's Building Recertification Inspection Program was adopted as Ordinance 5589 on August 24, 2021 (City of Boca Raton). A building must be recertified if it meets any of these criteria:

A condominium or cooperative building that is 3 stories or more, or 50 feet or greater, in height. Uninhabitable stories, such as underground parking, count.
A building age of 30 years or more, or 25 years or more for a condominium or cooperative property within 3 miles of a coastline.
A threshold building with a building age of 30 years or more. A threshold building is greater than 3 stories or 50 feet in height, or has an assembly occupancy over 5,000 square feet with more than 500 occupants.

Exemptions include federal, state, and school board buildings, one- to four-family dwellings with three or fewer stories, and fee simple townhouses (Boca Raton guidelines).

How the process works

Reports: A Florida-licensed structural engineer prepares the structural report, and a Florida-licensed electrical engineer prepares the electrical report, both on City of Boca Raton forms with photos (Boca Raton guidelines).
Equipment covers: Anyone removing electrical equipment covers for the inspection must be familiar with NFPA 70E, verified by a certificate of completion.
Repairs: If repairs are needed, the owner has 365 days from the City's sufficiency determination to begin work, unless a shorter timeframe is set.
Interval: Buildings are recertified every 10 years from the most recent recertification date.
Fee: The City charges $500 per recertification (City of Boca Raton).

Boca Raton infrared thermography requirement

For electrical systems operating at 400 amperes or greater, Boca Raton requires an infrared thermography inspection with a written report covering the same equipment types as Boynton Beach. Inspections must be conducted with all equipment covers removed. The thermographer must be Level II or higher certified with more than 5 years of experience inspecting electrical systems in commercial buildings (Boca Raton guidelines).

Boca Raton also gives the engineer of record some discretion. If the engineer finds thermal imaging is not needed based on equipment condition, they may submit a signed and sealed letter stating so. Owners should confirm with their engineer early rather than assume either outcome.

Boynton Beach vs Boca Raton at a Glance

First recertification: Boynton Beach at 25 years. Boca Raton at 30 years, or 25 for coastal condos and co-ops.
Repeat interval: Every 10 years in both cities.
Infrared trigger: Electrical systems operating at 400 amperes or greater in both cities.
Thermographer experience: Level II or higher in both, with more than 7 years in Boynton Beach and more than 5 years in Boca Raton.
Forms: City-specific forms are required in both. Boynton Beach does not accept proprietary forms.
Covers removed: Stated explicitly in Boca Raton's guidelines.

Requirements change, and Boca Raton has considered updates to its program in 2026. Always check the current city guidelines before scheduling.

How to Prepare for a Recertification Infrared Inspection

Confirm your service size. Check whether the building's electrical system operates at 400 amperes or greater.
Coordinate with your engineer of record. The thermography report becomes part of their electrical report, so agree on the format and equipment list first.
Plan for load and access. Infrared works best on energized equipment under normal load. Arrange access to electrical rooms, meter centers, and rooftop equipment, and plan for covers to be removed safely by qualified personnel.
Check thermographer credentials. Ask for Level II certification and documented commercial experience that meets the city's threshold.
Leave time for repairs. If the scan finds hot connections or failing components, you will need time for repairs and a follow-up scan before the report is final.

For a broader look at the state and county rules, see our guide to Florida building recertification and infrared inspections and our Miami-Dade 400A recertification guide. Facilities that are not on a recertification cycle can still use annual infrared inspections as part of an NFPA 70B maintenance program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Palm Beach County have a countywide recertification program?

No. Palm Beach County does not have a countywide program like Miami-Dade's or Broward's. Requirements depend on the city, and Boynton Beach and Boca Raton each run their own programs. Condo and co-op buildings elsewhere in the county still follow the state milestone inspection law.

When is Boynton Beach building recertification due?

By December 31 of the year the building reaches 25 years of age, based on its certificate of occupancy, and every 10 years after that. The City sends written notice at least a year before the deadline.

When is Boca Raton building recertification due?

At 30 years of building age, or 25 years for condominium and cooperative buildings within 3 miles of the coast, then every 10 years from the most recent recertification.

Is infrared thermography required for recertification in Boynton Beach and Boca Raton?

Yes, for electrical systems operating at 400 amperes or greater. Both cities require an infrared thermography inspection with a written report by a Level II or higher certified thermographer. In Boca Raton, the engineer of record may submit a signed and sealed letter if they determine thermal imaging is not needed.

What experience must the thermographer have?

Boynton Beach requires more than 7 years of experience inspecting electrical systems in commercial buildings. Boca Raton requires more than 5 years. Both require Level II or higher certification.

Can I use any thermography report format?

No. Boynton Beach requires its own guideline report forms and does not accept proprietary forms. Boca Raton requires City inspection forms with supplemental reports and photos. Confirm the format with your engineer before the scan.

Related reading: Infrared Thermography in West Palm Beach

About the Author

Stephen Fike is the Principal of Assured NDT and Risk Assured, where he leads a team specializing in risk engineering, fire protection, and non-destructive testing for complex facilities across hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, and real estate. He has more than a decade of experience at firms including PwC, Marsh, Willis Towers Watson, USI, and AIG, and has evaluated properties exceeding $1 billion in value. Stephen holds a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Penn State University.

Schedule Your Recertification Thermography

Assured NDT provides infrared thermography for building recertification across Palm Beach County, including Boynton Beach and Boca Raton, and works directly with engineers of record so reports fit the city's forms. Contact Assured NDT to schedule your inspection.

Sources

This article is general information, not engineering or legal advice. Recertification rules are set by each city and can change. Confirm current requirements with your building department and engineer of record.