I have a need to replace one of my outside switches with a Z-Wave switch connected to my HE. The current switch does have a cover (pic attached) and is under our patio but wasn't sure if using a regular Z-Wave switch would work in this situation.
Will that cover work with paddle or flipper style switches? Both are available in Z-Wave just that I don't believe any Z-Wave switches are designed to be weather resistant not that any switches really are but if it gets exposed to extreme temperatures it could affect the longevity.
There are also the nano switches you can put behind the existing switch but they can be impossible to fit in many boxes.
Is that an all metal box? That will probably be the biggest issue there. No way to get a signal into that box.
Outside plugs are typically GFI, at least mine are, and I don't think smart GFI outlets exist. You're safer/better off using an outdoor Zwave plug like this:
Any time you're near a electrical power source and might be exposed to or even standing in water, I'd want a GFI circuit protecting me and my family.
If your ok with running those wires into a new box I'd look at this GE model. Depending on what you are connecting it to. This is a direct wire unit. You could possibly also wire the outlet after the unit to give outlet control. Just a thought I have not used it in that way.
EDIT: Depending on how those outlets are wired you could possible interrupt the power by installing a smart switch IN the house before the outlet. I did this with an outdoor lamp post, by install a smart switch in the garage before the lamp (nothing else after it)
@danabw ... this is not an outlet but a light switch
Ah, OK, was confused by the cover, thought you meant an outlet...I'll go away quietly. 
@TechMedX ... interesting idea/solution. Its more work than I was wanting to take on but will look into replacing both switches with the GE box.
If you replace the metal cover with a PVC one like this and use a decora style switch, you can get Zwave reception even with a metal box. It looks like this is attached to your house so there is probably a wired repeater nearby if you need one.
That GE box is usually used for 240 volt circuits (I use one on my pool filter). You can wire 2 individual 120v circuits to it, but they will switch together.
@SteveZed ... great idea and I do have a Inovelli Red Switch just inside that wall so getting it connected to the Z-Wave network should not be a issue. Once I figure out this light switch issue, next on my list is the pool filter/pump so look for a PM when I get to that point about your setup 
Put in two decora style zwave switches and then pickup one of these to cover them.
https://www.amazon.com/Hubbell-5127-0-Weatherproof-Vertical-Decorator/dp/B07F1GDCCR/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=Outdoor+Electrical+Switch+Covers&qid=1599074911&sr=8-8
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@lewis.heidrick ... whoa, great find. Price is right; has weather proof case; if I use the cover recommended earlier, looks like I got a solution.
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The link I posted is fully weatherproof. Don't need a cover.
I would replace that metal box with a weatherproof PVC one though.
And available cheaper used.
He's not going to be able to get that box out of there without cutting the PVC conduits coming in and out. I have a Zooz ZEN21 in a metal box with a PVC cover on a wall 25 feet away from my house and the signal gets in and out okay.
I too have Z-Wave switches in outside metal boxes. They have been through several systems without trouble: joined ST, first Hubitat hub (pre-release), C-5, C-7. I made sure there was a decent indoor mesh in place first.
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That area looks to me like a side garage door. My recommendation was really due to that assumption. Through brick and a garage are usually tough signal for a bunch of different reasons. I'd at the least stick a repeater in the garage.
After looking at one of my outside Zwave switches, I realized that you will probably also need a box extender. You've got 4 circuits going in and out of your current box which leaves no room for the extra volume of a Zwave switch (or two).
