FloridaFlorida rules direct excess building code fee money to listed uses
Florida local governments must use excess building code fee money they cannot carry forward for listed purposes, including fee rebates, technology upgrades, or training.
What it does
Local governments must use excess building code fee money they cannot carry forward for listed purposes, including fee rebates, permit technology, or training.
Local governments may carry forward unspent building code fee money up to an average of four years of operating costs, with a limited advisory board exception.
Local building code agencies and districts may not charge extra for certain license or insurance paperwork, or for surcharges unrelated to code enforcement.
Argument forOwners and builders could benefit if excess fee money helps lower fees, improve permit services, or train building officials.
Argument againstLocal governments could have less choice about spending excess fee money because they must use funds above the carryforward limit for listed purposes.
More detail
Local governments must use excess building code fee money they cannot carry forward for listed purposes. This applies to excess funds the local government is barred from carrying forward under the building code fee rules. The listed uses include rebates or fee reductions, technology upgrades, a building for the enforcement agency, and training for building officials, inspectors, or plan reviewers. Money set aside for building construction may not be carried forward for more than four consecutive years. Owners or builders with a valid paid permit, or their qualifying associations, may sue the local government to enforce this rule.
Local governments may carry forward unspent fee money only up to the average of their building code enforcement operating budgets for the previous four fiscal years. This applies to unspent fees, fines, and investment earnings related to enforcing the Florida Building Code. Reserve amounts do not count toward the operating budget average. A local government with a five-member construction stakeholder advisory board established by January 1, 2019, may carry a higher balance if the board recommends it. The cap is based on the average operating budget for the previous four fiscal years.
Local enforcement agencies and districts may not require certain extra fees or charges. This applies to local enforcement agencies, independent districts, and special districts. The ban covers charges for proof or filing of a contractor license, proof or filing of workers’ compensation coverage, and surcharges not directly related to building code enforcement. They may not require these payments at any time, including when someone applies for a permit.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 12Chapter No. 2026-126Latest
- Jun 11Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 9Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 17Ordered enrolledMinor
- Mar 11CS passed; YEAS 112, NAYS 0Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 101st Reading (Committee Substitute 3)Minor
- Mar 10Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/11/2026)
- Mar 10Bill referred to House Calendar
- Mar 5In Messages
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 5Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 5Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 4Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/05/26
- Mar 4Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 3CS/CS/CS by Appropriations read 1st time
- Mar 3Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Mar 2CS/CS/CS by- Appropriations; YEAS 18 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 25On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 03/02/26, 12:00 pm, 110 Senate Building
- Feb 24CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government read 1st time
- Feb 23Now in Appropriations
- Feb 20Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Feb 18CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; YEAS 11 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 13On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, 02/18/26, 10:30 am, 412 Knott Building
- Feb 10CS by Community Affairs read 1st time
- Feb 4Now in Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
- Feb 4Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Feb 3CS by Community Affairs; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 29On Committee agenda-- Community Affairs, 02/03/26, 3:30 pm, 37 Senate Building
- Jan 22IntroducedMinor
- Jan 16Referred to Community Affairs; Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; AppropriationsMinor
- Jan 9FiledIntroduced
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