PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
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2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE - GROWTH MANAGEMENT
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
This item serves to update the Board of County Commissioners about the bills passed during the 2025 Legislative Session and discuss the potential impacts to the Growth Management Department.
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DEPARTMENT: Growth Management
PREPARED BY: Name: Jenna Knobbe
Title: Senior Planner
REQUESTED BY: Paul Schilling, Growth Management Director
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
The Florida Legislature regular session began on March 4, 2025, and concluded on May 2, 2025. The legislative session was extended until June 30, 2025, to work on passing a state budget. During the regular legislative session, there were numerous bills passed that will likely impact Martin County. This includes development review timeframes, comprehensive plan amendments, expanding the “Live Local Act,” and preempting local governments from passing stricter or more burdensome regulations.
In 2011, sweeping changes were made to Chapter 163, Florida Statutes that reduced the ability of local governments to deny development applications due to concurrency. In 2023, the state adopted the “Live Local Act” to address a statewide problem of affordable housing. Local governments have responded to that legislation in a variety of ways. The following is a preliminary analysis and more will be learned with the implementation of statutory changes.
ISSUES:
This item will cover five specific bills that were passed during the 2025 regular legislative session. The first bill is SB 180, which primarily covers topics on emergency management in Florida. However, some language in this bill could preempt local governments from passing regulations that are seen as “more restrictive or burdensome” than what existed as of August 1, 2024. It is unclear at this time if any amendments to the Land Development Regulations (LDRs) or the Comprehensive Plan will be necessary to comply with this bill. As of June 23, 2025, this bill was presented to the Governor for signature. Please see the summary of SB 180 attached to this item for additional bill language and potential impacts.
SB 784 is a bill relating to the plat and replat review process and the timeframes in which plats or replats must be reviewed and approved. An amendment to the LDRs will likely be necessary to comply with this bill. This bill was signed by the Governor and will take effect on July 1, 2025. Please see the summary of SB 784 attached to this item for additional bill language and potential impacts.
SB 954 pertains to certified recovery residences and expedites the process for local government approval of these facilities. By January 1, 2026, the County must establish procedures for review and approval of certified recovery residences and must provide a process for requesting reasonable accommodations from any local land use regulation that would otherwise prohibit the establishment of a certified recovery residence. The County in the coming months must establish this process via ordinance, and an amendment to the LDRs is likely necessary. As of June 23, 2025, this bill was presented to the Governor for signature. Please see the summary of SB 954 attached to this item for additional bill language and potential impacts.
SB 1080 is a bill that will impact the timeframes for review and approval of development applications received by the Growth Management Department. There will likely need to be an amendment to Article 10 of the LDRs to ensure the timeframes listed in the LDRs are consistent with the review timeframes outlined in SB 1080. As of June 23, 2025, this bill was presented to the Governor for signature. Please see the summary of SB 1080 attached to this item for additional bill language and potential impacts.
SB 1730 is seen as another expansion of the “Live Local Act” in Florida, which is intended to streamline the creation of affordable housing projects across the state. Additionally, the Legislature has stated their intention to promote the development of affordable workforce housing for employees of hospitals, health care facilities, and governmental entities. It is unclear at this time if an amendment to the LDRs is necessary to comply with this bill. As of June 23, 2025, this bill was presented to the Governor for signature. Please see the summary of SB 1730 attached to this item for additional bill language and potential impacts.
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
None
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Board accept staff’s presentation.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☐Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☐Resolution
☐Other:
This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback <http://www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback>.