FloridaFlorida lets local officers enforce boat rules with state approval
Florida counties and cities can authorize code enforcement officers to handle at-risk boats and anchoring permit violations once the state wildlife commission approves their local ordinance.
What it does
Counties and cities can authorize code enforcement officers to handle at-risk boats and long-term anchoring permit violations, including citations and certain boat removals. The local ordinance needs state wildlife commission approval.
Counties and cities can restrict boat speed and operation up to 1,000 feet from blind waterway junctions when needed for safety. Clearly marked boundaries and state approval are required.
Boats formally established as legal homes in Monroe County are exempt from anchoring limits until at least 60 new public moorings are available within 1 mile of the Key West Bight City Dock.
Argument forClearly marked restrictions near blind waterway junctions could help approaching boaters avoid collisions where they cannot easily see each other.
Argument againstRestrictions reaching up to 1,000 feet from blind waterway junctions could require boaters to slow down over a wider area.
More detail
Counties and cities can authorize code enforcement officers to issue noncriminal boating citations and handle problem boats, including their removal. This authority covers boats at risk of serious disrepair, boats legally treated as public nuisances, and long-term anchoring permit violations within the local government's jurisdiction. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission must approve the local ordinance before it takes effect and adopt rules to carry out this authority. Officers can remove boats declared public nuisances after at least three covered violations within 24 months that do not end in acquittal or dismissal.
Counties and cities can regulate boat speed and operation near junctions where waterways meet at a blind corner. Restrictions can reach up to 1,000 feet from the junction. Local governments must clearly mark the boundaries with waterway markers that follow commission rules. Restrictions beyond 300 feet must be needed for safe navigation and visibility for approaching boats. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission must review the ordinance and find sufficient evidence that it is needed to protect public safety before it takes effect. The commission must identify missing application information within 30 days and act within 90 days after receiving a complete application.
Certain boats used as legal homes in Monroe County remain exempt from anchoring limits until at least 60 new public moorings are available nearby. The exemption covers qualifying boats on Florida waters within Monroe County. The owner or occupant must formally establish the boat as their legal home under Florida law. The new moorings, which provide places to secure boats, must be available for public use within 1 mile of the Key West Bight City Dock. The law took effect July 1, 2026. The exemption lasts until the mooring threshold is met.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 21Chapter No. 2026-36Latest
- Apr 20Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Apr 9Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 5Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5In Messages
- Mar 5CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 5Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 5Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 5Substituted for CS/SB 1682
- Mar 5Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 5Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 3ReceivedMinor
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Referred to RulesMinor
- Mar 3In Messages
- Mar 3CS passed; YEAS 109, NAYS 0Passed House
- Mar 3Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 3Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 3Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 26Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/3/2026)
- Feb 24Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Vote recorded Favorable (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 24Bill released to House Calendar
- Feb 24Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Feb 24Favorable by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Feb 20Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Feb 16Now in State Affairs Committee
- Feb 16Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Feb 131st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)Minor
- Feb 13CS FiledMinor
- Feb 13Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Feb 12Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Feb 10Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 30Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 30Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 30Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 291st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Jan 29CS FiledMinor
- Jan 29Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Jan 29Reported out of Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
- Jan 28Favorable with CS by Natural Resources & Disasters SubcommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 26Added to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 12Now in Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
- Jan 12Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Natural Resources & Disasters SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 7FiledIntroduced
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