Bill > S0686

This bill, titled "Agricultural Enclaves," aims to create a new process for landowners to have certain parcels of land certified as "agricultural enclaves," which are defined as undeveloped parcels that have been used for bona fide agricultural purposes for at least five years and meet specific criteria regarding their surroundings and available public services. The bill allows landowners or their authorized agents to apply for this certification from their local government, which must then provide a report on compliance within 30 days and hold a public hearing to approve or deny the application within another 30 days; if no decision is made within 90 days of the application, the parcel is automatically certified. If denied, the government must provide a written decision with findings, and the applicant can seek judicial review. Upon approval, landowners can submit development plans for single-family residential housing that align with adjacent land uses, and these developments will be treated as conforming uses regardless of the local government's comprehensive plan or zoning, with encouragement for site design measures to protect wildlife corridors. Local governments are prohibited from enacting more burdensome regulations for agricultural enclaves than for comparable uses and must treat enclaves adjacent to urban service districts as if they are within them. A written agreement between the local government and the landowner is required for development plan approval, with a maximum 180-day process that avoids further quasi-judicial review or public hearings. Additionally, parcels adjacent to interstate highways can be developed for commercial, industrial, or single-family residential purposes under certain conditions. The bill also revises the definition of "agricultural enclave" to include parcels owned or controlled by a single entity, with updated perimeter requirements and size limitations, and specifies that these provisions will expire on January 1, 2028, reverting to the previous text unless otherwise amended.

Justice

Community Affairs (Senate), Judiciary (Senate), Rules (Senate)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/686