Florida HOAs (single-family homes, townhomes, and villas where you own your lot) are governed by Chapter 720, Florida Statutes. Condos fall under Chapter 718 and cooperatives under Chapter 719. On top of state law, your community has its own CC&Rs, articles, and bylaws — which can be stricter but can never override a right Florida law guarantees. The 2024 Homeowners' Association Bill of Rights (HB 1203) was the biggest overhaul in years, strengthening homeowner rights, financial transparency, the fine process, board training, and adding criminal penalties for certain board misconduct.
Florida regulates three kinds of community associations under three different laws. Knowing which one you live in matters, because the rules are different.
Chapter 720 applies to virtually every mandatory HOA in Florida formed after October 1, 1995. Your community also has its own governing documents — the Declaration of Covenants (CC&Rs), Articles of Incorporation, and Bylaws — which add rules on top of state law but can never take away rights that Florida law guarantees you.
Your HOA's rules can be stricter than the HOA down the road — but no HOA rule can override a protection written into Florida law. When the governing documents and Florida law conflict, Florida law wins.
On May 31, 2024, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 1203 — often called the Homeowners' Association Bill of Rights. Effective July 1, 2024, it was the biggest overhaul of Florida HOA law in years. It strengthened homeowner rights, forced financial transparency, tightened the fine process, added board-member training, and — for the first time — created criminal penalties for certain board misconduct. Most provisions are fully in effect as of 2026.
Ch. 720, Ch. 718, Ch. 719, HB 1203
Chapter 720, Florida Statutes — the Homeowners' Association Act. Condos use Chapter 718 and cooperatives use Chapter 719. (Ch. 720)
No. Governing documents can be stricter, but they can never take away a right Florida law guarantees. When they conflict, Florida law wins.
The 2024 Homeowners' Association Bill of Rights — the biggest overhaul of Florida HOA law in years, effective July 1, 2024.
It applies to virtually every mandatory HOA formed in Florida after October 1, 1995. (Ch. 720)