The bill CS/CS/HB 579 amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance the processes surrounding land use, zoning applications, and development permits. It establishes clear timelines for municipalities to approve or deny applications—120 days for those not requiring a public hearing and 180 days for those that do. If municipalities fail to meet these deadlines, they are required to issue refunds to applicants. The bill also introduces the definition of "substantive change" regarding application modifications, which restarts the review period if such changes occur. Additionally, it clarifies that the production of ethanol from certain plants is not classified as chemical manufacturing and revises the procedures for adopting comprehensive plan amendments.

Moreover, the bill addresses the governance of recreational covenants in residential communities by introducing provisions related to amenity dues, which cannot increase by more than 10% without majority approval from parcel owners. It mandates that contracts for the sale of parcels under recreational covenants include a disclosure summary about amenity dues, ensuring transparency for potential buyers. The bill also limits the liability of first mortgagees for unpaid assessments and clarifies the definition of associations in relation to these liabilities. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline the development approval process while protecting the rights of property owners and ensuring accountability in municipal decision-making.

Statutes affected:
H 579 Filed: 125.022, 166.033
H 579 c1: 125.022, 166.033
H 579 c2: 125.022, 166.033, 553.80, 720.302, 720.3086, 336.125, 558.002, 617.0725, 718.116, 720.3085