The "Florida Starter Homes Act" is designed to improve the affordability of home ownership and rental options in Florida by increasing the availability of housing. The bill requires certain counties and municipalities to follow specific procedures for development permits related to residential lots and prohibits local governments from enacting regulations that limit the development of starter homes on lots connected to public water and sewer systems. It allows residential lots to be adjacent to shared spaces rather than public rights-of-way and reduces the parking space requirements for smaller lots. Additionally, the bill sets forth a framework for timely processing of development applications, including automatic approval under certain conditions, and ensures that off-site constructed homes are treated equally to traditional homes.

The bill also aims to streamline the approval process for residential lot splits and development applications by imposing strict timelines on local governments. It requires local governments to acknowledge receipt of applications within five business days and review them for completeness within 15 business days, allowing applicants 60 business days to address any deficiencies. Applications must be approved or denied within 60 days if no public hearing is required, or 90 days if one is needed, with automatic approval if these deadlines are not met. The bill removes previous restrictions on placing certified residential manufactured buildings in mobile home lots and recreational vehicle parks, and it is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 1143 Filed: 125.022, 166.033, 177.071
H 1143 c1: 553.382