Reasonable relief from Unreasonable regulations

No More Crazy Local Ordinances-New Florida Law Empowers the People

We are always being told about Home Rule by Lake Worth Commissioners.

Getting a building project through a Florida city is often complicated and the project could get killed because of an arbitrary local ordinance that was ridiculous and over-burdensome.

Not anymore, Bill SB 170 (HB 1515) Local Ordinances, sponsored by Republican Representative Robbie Brackett, protects Florida businesses from excessive local government regulations by allowing a court to award attorney fees, costs, and damages for successfully challenging a local ordinance.

SB 170 gives citizens and businesses the tools to challenge local government’s authority. Elected officials in every municipality will scream “home rule” when they catch wind of this new law, but home rule is only as good as those ruling.

According to the majority office, this new law prohibits a county or municipality from enforcing an ordinance subject to challenge. Additionally, local governments must consider the economic impact of proposed ordinances on local businesses by preparing a “business impact estimate” before adopting specific local ordinances.

It also clarifies public notice requirements to allow properly noticed consideration of a proposed ordinance to continue to a subsequent meeting under certain circumstances without further publication, mailing, or posted notice.

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