Governor Ron DeSantis signs anti-squatting legislation

Press release from the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Florida Senate Bill 322 to extend remedies and protections against squatting to commercial property owners. Florida Senate Bill 322 expedites the removal of unauthorized individuals occupying commercial properties, providing property owners with a streamlined process to regain possession of their property.

“Florida doesn’t tolerate squatters; we stand with property owners,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida already has strong protections for homeowners, and the bills I signed today will ensure the same protections for business owners.”

Under current law, remedies to remove unauthorized occupants of a commercial property can be lengthy and time-consuming. SB 322 offers commercial property owners a more efficient means to reclaim possession of their properties from unauthorized occupants. The bill:

• Expedites the removal of unauthorized individuals occupying commercial properties, providing property owners with a streamlined process to regain possession of their property.
• Safeguards property owners from potential financial losses and property damage due to squatters.
• Provides legal safeguards for both property owners and law enforcement, outlining liabilities and protections in cases of wrongful removal.
• Introduces specific criminal penalties for unauthorized occupancy and fraudulent property listings, aiming to stop bad actors from teaching or encouraging others to squat.

Governor DeSantis also signed Florida Senate Bill 606, which strengthens the rights of hotel and motel owners when dealing with guests who are uncooperative or not paying their bills. The bill:

• Clarifies the language in current law that a guest’s stay at a hotel, motel, vacation rental, bed and breakfast, or timeshare is considered transient unless a written agreement states it is the guest’s sole residence.
• Prevents hotel guests who are not paying from being able to claim residency, forcing the hotel operator to go through the traditional eviction processes for permanent housing.
• Establishes increased transparency, requiring public food service establishments to clearly disclose any operations charges like service fees or automatic gratuities on menus, contracts, and online platforms beginning July 1, 2026.