Changes to Florida Laws for Neighborhood and Condo Associations

1. Florida Governor DeSantis signed several proposed bills into law that affect community association governance.
2. The new laws address issues involving emotional support animals, fireworks, and law enforcement vehicles in community associations.
3. Community associations in Florida need to ensure their operations comply with the new legislative changes for 2020. 1. SB 1084 amended Florida’s Fair Housing Act to protect persons with a disability who need an emotional support animal.
2. An emotional support animal is defined as an animal that provides therapeutic emotional support by its presence and can include any type of animal.
3. Housing providers may request information to support a person’s need for an emotional support animal, but cannot ask for medical records or the severity of the disability.
4. Housing providers can deny a request for an emotional support animal if it poses a direct threat to others.
5. Individuals approved for an emotional support animal must be allowed to keep it in their dwelling without extra charges, but are responsible for any damage caused by the animal. – Senate Bill 140 allows fireworks to be used on specific holidays in Florida, including New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and New Year’s Eve.
– The new law on fireworks does not override any existing bans on fireworks set by homeowners or condominium associations, but it prevents associations from making rules that restrict the use of fireworks on the designated holidays.
– Senate Bill 476 prevents condominium, cooperative, and homeowners’ associations from prohibiting law enforcement officers from parking their assigned vehicles in designated areas.

https://www.jimersonfirm.com/blog/2020/07/2020-amendments-florida-statutes-community-associations/