All Roll Calls
Yes: 319 • No: 3
FloridaSB 17302025Senate
Affordable Housing
Sponsored By: Alexis Calatayud (Republican)
Signed by Governor
AppropriationCommunity AffairsRulesHouse Calendar
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Limits on affordable housing construction pauses
Counties and cities generally cannot use building moratoria to delay qualifying multifamily or mixed-use housing permits or construction. A permitted pause requires an ordinance and cannot exceed 90 days in any three-year period. Before adoption, local governments must publish a housing-needs assessment covering extremely-low through moderate incomes, with five-year projections. Cities must also present it at the adoption meeting and include it in the ordinance's business impact estimate. Equally applied pauses for stormwater, floodwater, drinking-water supply, or necessary sanitary-sewer repairs are exempt.
More affordable housing on religious land
Counties and cities may approve affordable housing, including mixed-use housing, on qualifying religious land regardless of zoning. The land must belong to a qualifying religious institution and contain a house of public worship; connected, adjoining parcels can qualify. At least 10% of the project's homes must be affordable under state law. Local approval remains optional.
More building space for affordable housing
Until October 1, 2033, counties and cities cannot set qualifying projects' density below the least restrictive applicable benchmark. That benchmark uses the highest density allowed now or on July 1, 2023, where housing is allowed. Building-space limits must allow at least 150% of the highest applicable floor-area ratio from those dates. County comparisons use eligible unincorporated land; city comparisons use land within the city. The floor-area measure includes floor lot ratio and lot coverage, while specified project incentives, bonuses, variances, and special exceptions are excluded from comparisons.
Faster housing approvals, with historic safeguards
Until October 1, 2033, qualifying housing receives staff approval without another governing-board or review-body decision. Projects must meet local multifamily rules and the comprehensive plan, except for state-authorized density, floor area, height, and land use. Local governments cannot demand specified rezoning, exceptions, variances, density transfers, or plan changes; the staff-approval route excludes sites within one-quarter mile of listed military installations. Demolition tied to qualifying projects also receives staff approval when it follows state and local rules. Local design requirements may apply to individually National Register-listed buildings or contributing structures in districts listed before January 1, 2000, but cannot change height, floor area ratio, or density.
More rental housing sites, with exclusions
Until October 1, 2033, counties and cities must allow qualifying housing in commercial, industrial, mixed-use, and specified flexible-zone areas. At least 40% of residential units must be affordable rentals for at least 30 years. Mixed-use projects must be at least 65% residential; local governments cannot require more than 10% nonresidential space. Local governments may also let these projects include adjoining parcels. The municipal rules exclude the Wekiva Study Area, Everglades Protection Area, airport-impacted areas, and specified industrial-zoned recreational and commercial working waterfront property.
Taller affordable housing, with neighborhood limits
Until October 1, 2033, qualifying projects generally receive the highest current or July 1, 2023, permitted building height within one mile, or three stories, whichever is higher. Beside single-family areas on at least two sides, with at least 25 contiguous homes, local governments may use a 150%-of-adjacent-building limit, capped at 10 stories. For qualifying historic sites, counties instead compare heights within three-quarter mile, with a three-story minimum. Historic rules cover individually National Register-listed buildings and contributing structures in districts listed before January 1, 2000. In designated critical-state-concern cities, only habitable space above base flood elevation counts toward stories.
Affordable housing preferences for essential workers
Beginning July 1, 2025, developers may give hospital, health care facility, and government employees a preference for affordable housing. This option covers projects using federal low-income housing tax credits, state or local funds, or other affordable-housing financing. The preference is optional and must follow federal tax-credit rules under Internal Revenue Code section 42(g)(9).
Less required parking for affordable housing
Until October 1, 2033, counties and cities must cut qualifying projects' parking requirements by 15% when applicants request it. Projects qualify through an accessible transit stop within one-quarter mile, an accessible major transportation hub within one-half mile, or available parking within 600 feet. The municipal hub option requires a safe, pedestrian-friendly route. Qualifying mixed-use housing in locally recognized transit-oriented areas has no parking requirement.
Rule choices for pending housing applications
Applicants with qualifying housing submissions received before July 1, 2025, had an option to keep the rules in place when submitted. They had to notify the county or city by July 1, 2025. Local governments must also allow revised applications, written requests, or notices of intent that account for the new law.
Legal fee recovery in housing lawsuits
Courts must award reasonable legal fees and costs to the winning party in covered housing lawsuits against counties or cities. Either side can receive the award, which cannot exceed $250,000. Fees and costs from litigating the award itself cannot be recovered. The municipal fee rule ends October 1, 2033.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Alexis Calatayud
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Community Affairs
Affiliation unavailable
Rules
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/1/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 105 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/30/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 37 • No: 0
House vote • 4/29/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 109 • No: 3
Senate vote • 4/16/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/8/2025
Rules Vote
Yes: 24 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/31/2025
Community Affairs Vote
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter No. 2025-172
6/24/2025Approved by Governor
6/23/2025Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
6/18/2025Ordered engrossed, then enrolled
5/1/2025SenateCS passed as amended; YEAS 105, NAYS 0
5/1/2025HouseAmendment 172402 Concur
5/1/2025HouseSenate Message List
5/1/2025HouseIn Messages
4/30/2025HouseCS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 1040
4/30/2025SenateConcurred in House amendment(s) as amended (673693) -SJ 1040
4/30/2025SenateAmendment(s) to House amendment(s) adopted (172402) -SJ 1038
4/30/2025SenateIn returning messages
4/29/2025SenateCS passed as amended; YEAS 109, NAYS 3
4/29/2025HouseRead 3rd time
4/29/2025HouseAdded to Third Reading Calendar
4/29/2025HousePlaced on 3rd reading
4/29/2025HouseAmendment 673693 adopted
4/29/2025HouseAmendment 030879 superseded by substitute
4/29/2025HouseRead 2nd time
4/29/2025House1st Reading (Engrossed 1)
4/28/2025HouseBill added to Special Order Calendar (4/29/2025)
4/28/2025HouseBill referred to House Calendar
4/28/2025HouseIn Messages
4/16/2025HouseImmediately certified -SJ 444
4/16/2025SenateCS passed as amended; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 441
4/16/2025Senate
Bill Text
er
7/1/2025
e2
5/1/2025
e1
4/16/2025
c2
4/9/2025
c1
4/2/2025
Filed
2/28/2025