This bill amends Florida Statutes to establish a process for certifying certain parcels of land as agricultural enclaves. It allows landowners to apply for certification, requiring local governments to provide a written report on the application within 30 days and to hold a public hearing to approve or deny the certification within another 30 days. If the local government does not act within 90 days, the parcel is automatically certified. The bill also mandates that if an application is denied, the local government must provide a written decision with findings of fact, and it allows for judicial review of such denials. Additionally, it stipulates that developments on certified agricultural enclaves must be treated as conforming uses, and local governments cannot impose more burdensome regulations on these enclaves compared to other similar applications.

The bill revises the definition of "agricultural enclave" to include specific criteria regarding ownership, continuous agricultural use, and surrounding development. It also introduces provisions for public services and establishes a maximum size for these enclaves. Notably, the bill deletes previous requirements related to amendments to local government comprehensive plans for agricultural enclaves. The amendments made by this act will expire on January 1, 2028, reverting to the previous text, and the act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 686 Filed: 163.3162, 163.3164