Condo legislation headed to DeSantis’ desk

minium-related law established with the 2022 adoption and enactment of Senate Bill 4-D in 2022.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

TALLAHASSEE – A proposed state law pertaining to condominium building inspections and condo association reserve funds is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his final approval or rejection.

Working in unison, Senate Bill 154 and House Bill 1395 seek to clarify, strengthen and expand the condo-

The 2022 and 2023 legislation is inspired by the 2021 collapse of the 12-story beachfront Champlain Towers South condominium building in Surfside, which killed 98 people.

The proposed law received the unanimous bi-partisan support of both the Florida Senate and House of Representatives. On May 3, the Senate voted 39-0 in favor of adopting the proposed legislation. On May 2, the House voted 118-0 in favor of adopting the proposed legislation.

If DeSantis signs the legislation, it would establish mandatory inspection timelines for condo buildings at least three stories tall and 30 years old or older.

The proposed legislation would also require impacted condo associations to create and set aside reserve funds for structural inspection studies and any structural repairs or deficiencies identified by those studies.

The Florida Building Code would govern condo height and age determinations. The three-story standard would include condo buildings that have two elevated living levels above ground-level parking.

If enacted, the law would not take effect until at least Jan. 1, 2025, and would not apply to privately-owned resorts, hotels, timeshares and apartment buildings.