Commercial Development Ban in Florida State Parks

House Lawmakers Pass Legislation to Ban Commercial Development in State Parks

The Florida House unanimously approved legislation Thursday that would prohibit new commercial construction in state parks and impose strict safeguards on the use and management of public conservation lands.

The measure cleared the chamber in a unanimous vote following earlier Senate passage and now awaits action from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The bill was filed in response to proposed developments in state parks, including golf courses and Pickleball courts in Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

The legislation codifies a preservation-first approach to park management by banning new commercial buildings such as sports complexes and lodging facilities, while allowing limited use of camping cabins under conditions that avoid harm to sensitive habitats.

“Our parks are not just scenic escapes — they are irreplaceable public lands,” said Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, who sponsored the bill. “They are not for sale. With this legislation, we are guaranteeing that future generations will continue to experience Florida as it was meant to be: wild, natural, and protected.”

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