Are hurricane supplies tax-free year-round on Florida's Space Coast?
Yes. Since August 1, 2025, Florida permanently exempts batteries, portable generators, tarps, and other storm supplies from sales tax, so Brevard County homeowners on the Space Coast can buy them tax-free any day.
If you moved to the Space Coast from up north, you may still be waiting for the old "hurricane tax holiday" to roll around before you stock up. Here is the thing: that two-week window is gone. Florida replaced it with a permanent sales tax exemption on a specific list of disaster preparedness items, which is why there are no temporary disaster supply tax-free days on the 2026 calendar. The exemption now runs all year.
For Brevard County homeowners in Melbourne, Viera, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach, and Rockledge, that changes how you plan. You can build your storm kit in January, replace expired gear in the off-season, and skip the crowded store aisles when a storm shows up in the forecast. Below is exactly what qualifies, what does not, and how to use the rule when you are setting up a new Space Coast home.
What Hurricane Supplies Are Tax-Free in Florida?
The Florida Department of Revenue spelled out the list in Tax Information Publication 25A01-05. Effective August 1, 2025, these items are always exempt from Florida sales tax:
| Item | What qualifies |
|---|---|
| Batteries | AA, AAA, C, D, 6-volt, and 9-volt only |
| Portable generators | Portable engine-driven generators producing 10,000 running watts or less |
| Portable fuel cans | Gas or diesel cans holding 5 gallons or less |
| Waterproof tarps | Flexible waterproof tarps and sheeting of 1,000 square feet or less |
| Ground anchors and tie-down kits | Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits |
| Smoke detectors | Smoke detection devices listed by a recognized testing lab |
| Carbon monoxide alarms | Alarms meeting Florida Building Commission requirements |
| Fire extinguishers | Portable, manually operated, listed extinguishers |
| Life jackets | US Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices |
| Sunscreen | Products primarily meant to block UV (not cosmetics) |
| Insect repellent | EPA-registered repellents applied to skin |
| Bicycle helmets | All bicycle helmets (not only youth helmets) |
The Florida Division of Emergency Management points residents to the same list on its Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Exemption page.
Is There Still a Hurricane Sales Tax Holiday in 2026?
No. The old disaster preparedness sales tax holidays ran for a set window each year. The 2025 law made the exemption permanent, which is why there is no separate storm supply holiday on the 2026 calendar. For Space Coast buyers, that is good news. You no longer have to time your shopping around a date the Legislature picks.
It also means the exemption applies on the day of the storm scramble too. If a system pops up in the Atlantic and you realize your flashlight batteries are dead, you still pay no sales tax on those batteries in Brevard County.
What Is Not Covered?
This is where new Florida homeowners get tripped up. The exemption follows the exact definitions in the Department of Revenue publication, so a few common storm purchases fall outside it:
- Whole-home standby generators. The exemption covers portable generators up to 10,000 running watts. A permanently installed standby unit does not fit that definition. If you are weighing one, read our breakdown of whole-home standby generators on the Space Coast.
- Oversized fuel cans and tarps. Fuel cans over 5 gallons and tarps over 1,000 square feet are not on the list.
- Batteries in other sizes. Only AA, AAA, C, D, 6-volt, and 9-volt batteries qualify. Specialty or rechargeable packs in other sizes do not appear on the list.
- Shutters, impact windows, and plywood. These are home improvements, not items on the exemption list. If you are comparing options, see hurricane shutters vs impact windows on the Space Coast.
When in doubt, check your receipt at checkout, and compare the item against the Department of Revenue list before you buy in bulk.
How Should New Space Coast Homeowners Use the Exemption?
If you just closed on a home in Melbourne, Viera, Suntree, Merritt Island, or Satellite Beach, the first few weeks are the perfect time to build your kit. Here is the order I suggest to my buyers:
- Safety first. Test the smoke detectors that came with the house and add a carbon monoxide alarm if you have a gas range, gas water heater, or plan to run a portable generator. Both are tax-free.
- Fire extinguisher for the kitchen and garage. One more tax-free item that too many homes are missing.
- Power backup. If you want a portable generator, choose a unit at or under 10,000 running watts to stay inside the exemption, and pick up 5-gallon fuel cans at the same time.
- Batteries and tarps. Buy these in the off-season when shelves are full. Tarps come in handy after any strong storm, not only hurricanes.
- Boat and beach gear. If you boat out of Merritt Island or Cocoa Beach, US Coast Guard approved life jackets are tax-free too, along with sunscreen and bug spray.
For a full storm-season plan beyond shopping, our hurricane season prep checklist for Space Coast homeowners walks through documents, insurance, and evacuation planning.
Why This Matters When You Buy a Home in Brevard County
Storm readiness is part of owning a home anywhere on Florida's Space Coast. Buyers moving to Brevard County often ask me what they should budget for in their first year. A basic preparedness kit is one of those line items, and the permanent exemption trims a little off the cost. It is not a huge number, but on a generator, a few fire extinguishers, and a year of batteries, skipping sales tax adds up.
More important, it removes the pressure to shop on a deadline. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and the best time to prepare is before a storm is on the radar. With this rule, you can shop whenever it makes sense for your household.
FAQ: Florida's Permanent Hurricane Supply Tax Exemption
When did Florida make hurricane supplies permanently tax-free?
The permanent exemption took effect August 1, 2025, under Chapter 2025-208, Laws of Florida. It replaced the temporary disaster preparedness sales tax holidays Florida used in prior years.
Are portable generators tax-free in Brevard County?
Yes, if the generator is a portable, engine-driven unit producing 10,000 running watts or less. Permanently installed standby generators are not on the Department of Revenue list.
Is there a price cap on tax-free hurricane supplies?
The Department of Revenue publication does not list a dollar cap. Items qualify based on type and size, such as the 10,000 running watt limit on generators and the 5-gallon limit on fuel cans, so check the list before you buy.
Setting up a new home on the Space Coast comes with a long list of firsts, and storm prep is one of them. If you are relocating to Melbourne, Viera, Merritt Island, or anywhere in Brevard County and want a local guide through the whole move, I am here to help. My partner Nichole and I got your back. Reach out anytime at (321) 212-7676 or www.livingspacecoast.com.
.jpg)
