Transportation Infrastructure Land Development Regulations; Creating the “Transit-Oriented Development Act” for a specified purpose; requiring the governing body of a county or municipality to adopt an ordinance, and the governing body of a special district to adopt a resolution, establishing specified transit-oriented development (TOD) zones by a certain date; prohibiting a local government from imposing certain regulations in specified TOD zones; encouraging public transit providers and public agencies to develop land within specified TOD zones, etc.
HB 489 updates definitions used by Florida's Housing Finance Corporation to clarify eligibility for affordable housing programs. It defines key terms like "demonstrated capacity" (requiring completion of at least three U.S. affordable housing projects, including one in Florida, within five years) and "qualifying principal" (a person owning 25%+ of a housing entity). The bill also clarifies that "elderly" means 62+ and ensures housing meeting specific criteria qualifies as elderly housing. These changes directly affect housing providers (both nonprofits and for-profits) seeking to develop or manage affordable housing projects funded through the corporation.
Tourist Development Tax; Authorizing the use of proceeds from the tourist development tax to fund public safety improvements, affordable housing, and workforce housing, etc.
Housing; Requires, rather than authorizing, local governments to adopt, by specified date, ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units in certain areas; requires that such ordinances apply prospectively; prohibits inclusion of certain requirements or prohibitions in such ordinances; removes requirement that application for building permit to construct accessory dwelling unit include certain affidavit; revises accessory dwelling units that apply toward satisfying certain component of local government's comprehensive plan; prohibits denial of homestead exemption for certain portions of property on specified basis; requires that rented accessory dwelling unit be assessed separately from homestead property & taxed according to its use; authorizes local government to provide density bonus incentive to landowners who make certain real property donations to assist in provision of affordable housing for military families; requires OPPAGA to evaluate efficacy of using mezzanine finance & potential of tiny homes for specified purposes; requires office to consult with certain entities; requires office to submit certain report to Legislature by specified date.
