Two laws pass in Florida, impacting HOA members

Most Florida residents are aware that laws change. However, what they may not fully understand is how these changes, no matter how minor, can impact them in a major way. This is especially true when it comes to property owners. Whether one owns private or personal property, if land use or zoning laws are altered, this can greatly impact what can be built or dictate how existing structures can be used or renovated.

During the 2019 legislative session in Florida, two laws passed that impacted condominium and homeowner’s associations. Based on House Bill 7103, older condominiums that stand over 75 feet tall were given a reprieve. Owners of these buildings are not required to retrofit them with fire sprinklers or adopt an engineered life safety system until the start of 2024.

The other law that passed, Senate Bill 82, impacts those with green thumbs. This law went into effect on July 1 and states that vegetable gardens on residential properties cannot be regulated by county, municipality or other political subdivisions of the state. Thus, any current local ordinance or regulation that regulates vegetable gardens on residential properties is now void and unenforceable.

While these two laws may seem minor, they could make a huge difference for some residents in the state. Thus, it is imperative to be well informed of the current laws and how they can impact a property owner.

For those dealing with land use and zoning law issues, it is important to understand the matter at hand. This means further exploration of the situation, understating what rights one is afforded and what steps they can take. This not only helps a property owner protect their rights but also their interests.