Fla. Stat. § 125.01055 — Florida Code / Title XI / Chapter 125 / Part I / Section 125.01055
125.01055 Affordable housing.
Status: in_force

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a county may adopt and maintain in effect any law, ordinance, rule, or other measure that is adopted for the purpose of increasing the supply of affordable housing using land use mechanisms such as inclusionary housing or linkage fee ordinances.

(2) An inclusionary housing ordinance may require a developer to provide a specified number or percentage of affordable housing units to be included in a development or allow a developer to contribute to a housing fund or other alternatives in lieu of building the affordable housing units.

(3) An affordable housing linkage fee ordinance may require the payment of a flat or percentage-based fee, whether calculated on the basis of the number of approved dwelling units, the amount of approved square footage, or otherwise.

(4) In exchange for a developer fulfilling the requirements of subsection (2) or, for residential or mixed-use residential development, the requirements of subsection (3), a county must provide incentives to fully offset all costs to the developer of its affordable housing contribution or linkage fee. Such incentives may include, but are not limited to: (a) Allowing the developer density or intensity bonus incentives or more floor space than allowed under the current or proposed future land use designation or zoning; (b) Reducing or waiving fees, such as impact fees or water and sewer charges; or (c) Granting other incentives.

1 (5) Subsection (4) does not apply in an area of critical state concern, as designated in s. 380.0552.

1 (6) Notwithstanding any other law or local ordinance or regulation to the contrary, the board of county commissioners may approve the development of housing that is affordable, as defined in s. 420.0004, including, but not limited to, a mixed-use residential development, on any parcel zoned for commercial or industrial use, or on any parcel, including any contiguous parcel connected thereto, which is owned by a religious institution as defined in s. 170.201(2) which contains a house of public worship, regardless of underlying zoning, so long as at least 10 percent of the units included in the project are for housing that is affordable. The provisions of this subsection are self-executing and do not require the board of county commissioners to adopt an ordinance or a regulation before using the approval process in this subsection.

1 (7)(a) A county must authorize multifamily and mixed-use residential as allowable uses in any area zoned for commercial, industrial, or mixed use, and in portions of any flexibly zoned area such as a planned unit development permitted for commercial, industrial, or mixed use, if at least 40 percent of the residential units in a proposed multifamily development are rental units that, for a period of at least 30 years, are affordable as defined in s. 420.0004. Notwithstanding any other law, local ordinance, or regulation to the contrary, a county may not require a proposed multifamily development to obtain a zoning or land use change, special exception, conditional use approval, variance, transfer of density or development units, amendment to a development of regional impact, or comprehensive plan amendment for the building height, zoning, and densities authorized under this subsection. For mixed-use residential projects, at least 65 percent of the total square footage must be used for residential purposes. The county may not require that more than 10 percent of the total square footage of such mixed-use residential projects be used for nonresidential purposes. (b) A county may not restrict the density of a proposed development authorized under this subsection below the highest currently allowed, or allowed on July 1, 2023, density on any unincorporated land in the county where residential development is allowed under the county’s land development regulations. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “highest currently allowed density” does not include the density of any building that met the requirements of this subsection or the density of any building that has received any bonus, variance, or other special exception for density provided in the county’s land development regulations as an incentive for development. For purposes of this paragraph, “highest currently allowed, or allowed on July 1, 2023,” means whichever is least restrictive at the time of development. (c) A county may not restrict the floor area ratio of a proposed development authorized under this subsection below 150 percent of the highest currently allowed, or allowed on July 1, 2023, floor area ratio on any unincorporated land in the county where development is allowed under the county’s land development regulations. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “highest currently allowed floor area ratio” does not include the floor area ratio of any building that met the requirements of this subsection or the floor area ratio of any building that has received any bonus, variance, or other special exception for floor area ratio provided in the county’s land development regulations as an incentive for development. For purposes of this subsection, the term “floor area ratio” includes floor lot ratio and lot coverage. (d)1. A county may not restrict the height of a proposed development authorized under this subsection below the highest currently allowed, or allowed on July 1, 2023, height for a commercial or residential building located in its jurisdiction within 1 mile of the proposed development or three stories, whichever is higher. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “highest currently allowed height” does not include the height of any building that met the requirements of this subsection or the height of any building that has received any bonus, variance, or other special exception for height provided in the county’s land development regulations as an incentive for development. 2. If the proposed development is adjacent to, on two or more sides, a parcel zoned for single-family residential use which is within a single-family residential development with at least 25 contiguous single-family homes, the county may restrict the height of the proposed development to 150 percent of the tallest building on any property adjacent to the proposed development, the highest currently allowed, or allowed on July 1, 2023, height for the property provided in the county’s land development regulations, or three stories, whichever is higher, not to exceed 10 stories. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “adjacent to” means those properties sharing more than one point of a property line, but does not include properties separated by a public road. 3. If the proposed development is on a parcel with a contributing structure or building within a historic district which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places before January 1, 2000, or is on a parcel with a structure or building individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the county may restrict the height of the proposed development to the highest currently allowed, or allowed on July 1, 2023, height for a commercial or residential building located in its jurisdiction within three-fourths of a mile of the proposed development or three stories, whichever is higher. The term “highest currently allowed” in this paragraph includes the maximum height allowed for any building in a zoning district irrespective of any conditions. (e)1. A proposed development authorized under this subsection must be administratively approved without further action by the board of county commissioners or any quasi-judicial or administrative board or reviewing body if the development satisfies the county’s land development regulations for multifamily developments in areas zoned for such use and is otherwise consistent with the comprehensive plan, with the exception of provisions establishing allowable densities, floor area ratios, height, and land use. Such land development regulations include, but are not limited to, regulations relating to setbacks and parking requirements. A proposed development located within one-quarter mile of a military installation identified in s. 163.3175(2) may not be administratively approved. Each county shall maintain on its website a policy containing procedures and expectations for administrative approval pursuant to this subsection. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “allowable density” means the density prescribed for the property in accordance with this subsection without additional requirements to procure and transfer density units or development units from other properties. 2. The county must administratively approve the demolition of an existing structure associated with a proposed development under this subsection, without further action by the board of county commissioners or any quasi-judicial or administrative board or reviewing body, if the proposed demolition otherwise complies with all state and local regulations. 3. If the proposed development is on a parcel with a contributing structure or building within a historic district which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places before January 1, 2000, or is on a parcel with a structure or building individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the county may administratively require the proposed development to comply with local regulations relating to architectural design, such as facade replication, provided it does not affect height, floor area ratio, 2 or density of the proposed development. (f)1. A county must, upon request of an applicant, reduce parking requirements by 15 percent for a proposed development authorized under this subsection if the development: a. Is located within one-quarter mile of a transit stop, as defined in the county’s land development code, and the transit stop is accessible from the development; b. Is located within one-half mile of a major transportation hub that is accessible from the proposed development by safe, pedestrian-friendly means, such as sidewalks, crosswalks, elevated pedestrian or bike paths, or other multimodal design features; or c. Has available parking within 600 feet of the proposed development which may consist of options such as on-street parking, parking lots, or parking garages available for use by residents of the proposed development. However, a county may not require that the available parking compensate for the reduction in parking requirements. 2. A county must eliminate parking requirements for a proposed mixed-use residential development authorized under this subsection within an area recognized by the county as a transit-oriented development or area, as provided in paragraph (h). 3. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “major transportation hub” means any transit station, whether bus, train, or light rail, which is served by public transit with a mix of other transportation options. (g) For proposed multifamily developments in an unincorporated area zoned for commercial or industrial use which is within the boundaries of a multicounty independent special district that was created to provide municipal services and is not authorized to levy ad valorem taxes, and less than 20 percent of the land area within such district is designated for commercial or industrial use, a county must authorize, as provided in this subsection, such development only if the development is mixed-use residential. (h) A proposed development authorized under this subsection which is located within a transit-oriented development or area, as recognized by the county, must be mixed-use residential and otherwise comply with requirements of the county’s regulations applicable to the transit-oriented development or area except for use, height, density, floor area ratio, and parking as provided in this subsection or as otherwise agreed to by the county and the applicant for the development. (i) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a development authorized under this subsection must comply with all applicable state and local laws and regulations. (j)1. Nothing in this subsection precludes a county from granting a bonus, variance, conditional use, or other special exception for height, density, or floor area ratio in addition to the height, density, and floor area ratio requirements in this subsection. 2. Nothing in this subsection precludes a proposed development authorized under this subsection from receiving a bonus for density, height, or floor area ratio pursuant to an ordinance or regulation of the jurisdiction where the proposed development is located if the proposed development satisfies the conditions to receive the bonus except for any condition which conflicts with this subsection. If a proposed development qualifies for such bonus, the bonus must be administratively approved by the county and no further action by the board of county commissioners is required. (k) Notwithstanding any other law or local ordinance or regulation to the contrary, a county may allow an adjacent parcel of land to be included within a proposed multifamily development authorized under this subsection. (l) The court shall give any civil action filed against a county for a violation of this subsection priority over other pending cases and render a preliminary or final decision as expeditiously as possible. (m) If a civil action is filed against a county for a violation of this subsection, the court must assess and award reasonable attorney fees and costs to the prevailing party. An award of reasonable attorney fees or costs pursuant to this subsection may not exceed $250,000. In addition, a prevailing party may not recover any attorney fees or costs directly incurred by or associated with litigation to determine an award of reasonable attorney fees or costs. (n) As used in this subsection, the term: 1. “Commercial use” means activities associated with the sale, rental, or distribution of products or the performance of services related thereto. The term includes, but is not limited to, such uses or activities as retail sales; wholesale sales; rentals of equipment, goods, or products; offices; restaurants; public lodging establishments as described in s. 509.242(1)(a); food service vendors; sports arenas; theaters; tourist attractions; and other for-profit business activities. A parcel zoned to permit such uses by right without the requirement to obtain a variance or waiver is considered commercial use for the purposes of this section, irrespective of the local land development regulation’s listed category or title. The term does not include home-based businesses or cottage food operations undertaken on residential property, public lodging establishments as described in s. 509.242(1)(c), or uses that are accessory, ancillary, incidental to the allowable uses, or allowed only on a temporary basis. Recreational uses, such as golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and clubhouses, within an area designated for residential use are not commercial use, irrespective of how they are operated. 2. “Industrial use” means activities associated with the manufacture, assembly, processing, or storage of products or the performance of services related thereto. The term includes, but is not limited to, such uses or activities as automobile manufacturing or repair, boat manufacturing or repair, junk yards, meat packing facilities, citrus processing and packing facilities, produce processing and packing facilities, electrical generating plants, water treatment plants, sewage treatment plants, and solid waste disposal sites. A parcel zoned to permit such uses by right without the requirement to obtain a variance or waiver is considered industrial use for the purposes of this section, irrespective of the local land development regulation’s listed category or title. The term does not include uses that are accessory, ancillary, incidental to the allowable uses, or allowed only on a temporary basis. Recreational uses, such as golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and clubhouses, within an area designated for residential use are not industrial use, irrespective of how they are operated. 3. “Mixed use” means any use that combines multiple types of approved land uses from at least two of the residential use, commercial use, and industrial use categories. The term does not include uses that are accessory, ancillary, incidental to the allowable uses, or allowed only on a temporary basis. Recreational uses, such as golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and clubhouses, within an area designated for residential use are not mixed use, irrespective of how they are operated. 4. “Planned unit development” has the same meaning as provided in s. 163.3202(5)(b). (o) This subsection does not apply to: 1. Airport-impacted areas as provided in s. 333.03. 2. Property defined as recreational and commercial working waterfront in s. 342.201(2)(b) in any area zoned as industrial. 3. The Wekiva Study Area, as described in s. 369.316. 4. The Everglades Protection Area, as defined in s. 373.4592(2). (p) This subsection expires October 1, 2033.

(8) Any development authorized under paragraph (7)(a) must be treated as a conforming use even after the expiration of subsection (7) and the development’s affordability period as provided in paragraph (7)(a), notwithstanding the county’s comprehensive plan, future land use designation, or zoning. If at any point during the development’s affordability period the development violates the affordability period requirement provided in paragraph (7)(a), the development must be allowed a reasonable time to cure such violation. If the violation is not cured within a reasonable time, the development must be treated as a nonconforming use.

(9)(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (d), a county may not enforce a building moratorium that has the effect of delaying the permitting or construction of a multifamily residential or mixed-use residential development authorized under subsection (7). (b) A county may, by ordinance, impose or enforce such a building moratorium for no more than 90 days in any 3-year period. Before adoption of such a building moratorium, the county shall prepare or cause to be prepared an assessment of the county’s need for affordable housing at the extremely-low-income, very-low-income, low-income, or moderate-income limits specified in s. 420.0004, including projections of such need for the next 5 years. This assessment must be posted on the county’s website by the date the notice of proposed enactment is published, and presented at the same public meeting at which the proposed ordinance imposing the building moratorium is adopted by the board of county commissioners. This assessment must be included in the business impact estimate for the ordinance imposing such a moratorium required by s. 125.66(3). (c) If a civil action is filed against a county for a violation of this subsection, the court must assess and award reasonable attorney fees and costs to the prevailing party. An award of reasonable attorney fees or costs pursuant to this subsection may not exceed $250,000. In addition, a prevailing party may not recover any attorney fees or costs directly incurred by or associated with litigation to determine an award of reasonable attorney fees or costs. (d) This subsection does not apply to moratoria imposed or enforced to address stormwater or flood water management, to address the supply of potable water, or due to the necessary repair of sanitary sewer systems, if such moratoria apply equally to all types of multifamily or mixed-use residential development.

(10)(a) Beginning November 1, 2026, each county must provide an annual report to the state land planning agency which includes: 1. A summary of litigation relating to subsection (7) that was initiated, remains pending, or was resolved during the previous fiscal year. 2. A list of all projects proposed or approved under subsection (7) during the previous fiscal year. For each project, the report must include, at a minimum, the project’s size, density, and intensity and the total number of units proposed, including the number of affordable units and associated targeted household incomes. (b) The state land planning agency shall compile the information received under this subsection and submit the information to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives annually by February 1.

History: s. 16, ch. 2001-252; s. 1, ch. 2019-165; s. 1, ch. 2020-27; s. 1, ch. 2022-176; s. 3, ch. 2023-17; s. 1, ch. 2024-188; s. 1, ch. 2025-172.