Florida lawmakers approved an expansion of the Live Local Act on Mar. 22, allowing developers to build projects on land owned by counties, municipalities, and school districts if the sites are within their jurisdictions and the property owner co-files project applications with developers. The measure also extends the workforce housing law to properties larger than three acres that have been owned by religious institutions and housed a place of worship for at least ten years.
The legislation is significant as it aims to address Florida’s ongoing affordable housing challenges by increasing opportunities for multifamily development. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Alexis Calatayud and Rep. Mike Redondo—both Republicans from Miami-Dade County—now awaits Governor Ron DeSantis’ signature.
The original Live Local Act, signed into law in 2023, incentivizes multifamily developers to reserve at least 40 percent of their units for households earning up to 120 percent of the area median income. These incentives include increased density, building height allowances, and property tax breaks for eligible projects built on commercial, industrial, or mixed-use sites.
Lawmakers decided not to include a provision that would have made it easier to construct accessory dwelling units in single-family neighborhoods. However, they did extend property tax abatements so that relief will begin once a developer secures a building permit—a change intended to help finance new projects. Currently, property tax relief ranging from 75 percent to 100 percent is available only after project completion.
Despite months of debate and several proposals, no additional property tax relief was passed during this session. Governor DeSantis has indicated that this issue will be addressed in a special session.
