Governor Ron DeSantis has signed the newest version of the Live Local Act, legislation that has now been revised three times since its original approval three years ago. Senate bill SB 962, sponsored by Green Cove Springs Republican Sen. Jennifer Bradley, and House bill HB 837, sponsored by Coral Gables Republican Rep., both passed the Florida House and Senate this month. The updated law continues efforts to address Florida's housing shortage by expanding affordable residential options while limiting local government control over housing development.
The revised legislation requires cities and counties to permit apartment buildings and mixed-use housing projects in areas currently zoned for commercial or industrial purposes, provided that at least 40% of the units are designated as affordable housing for a 30-year period. This requirement can also apply to land owned by local governments, school districts, and large religious institutions. The law restricts how much local governments can control the height and design of these developments, making it more difficult for cities and counties to prevent projects through zoning restrictions. The measure will expand the types of dwelling units allowed, reduce local limitations on development, and protect funding sources for home purchases. Agricultural land and farm operations remain excluded from these provisions.
The original Live Local Act faced criticism from organizations like Florida TaxWatch for not going far enough to help middle-income renters. This group identified a gap in the housing market for households earning too much to qualify for affordable housing subsidies but too little to afford market-rate rents in their communities. In August, TaxWatch published a report recommending that legislators revisit and strengthen the measure. The state responded by enacting these revisions, which address some of the shortcomings identified in the watchdog group's analysis.
The updated Live Local Act represents a significant shift in Florida's approach to its housing crisis. By reducing local control over development design and height while requiring acceptance of affordable housing projects in commercial and industrial zones, the state has taken a stronger position in removing construction barriers. The mandate that 40% of units remain affordable for three decades establishes a long-term commitment to preserving housing accessible to lower-income Floridians. The original measure from 2023 aimed to increase affordable and workforce housing construction through funding mechanisms, tax incentives, and zoning changes. These latest updates build on that foundation with more aggressive state-level intervention in local land-use decisions.