WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida property owners could face mounting fines, liens and even foreclosure under a new law expanding how local governments address properties tied to repeated illegal activity.
Senate Bill 168, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in June, took effect July 1.
The law adds illegal gambling houses to the types of locations that may be declared public nuisances. A property can qualify after it is used as a gambling house more than twice within a 12-month period.
The change is expected to give cities and counties another way to target illegal gaming rooms and internet cafés operating slot-style machines outside Florida’s regulated gambling system.
What the law doesAdds repeat illegal gambling activity to Florida’s public nuisance statute.Allows fines of up to $250 per day.Permits fines of up to $500 per day if the nuisance continues for more than a year.Removes the previous $15,000 cap on total fines.Allows local nuisance boards to renew their authority over a property in one-year increments.Permits unpaid penalties to become liens against the property.Allows foreclosure proceedings after a lien remains unpaid for at least three months.Requires local officials to pursue foreclosure when a nuisance continues for two years.
The law does not automatically shut down a property after three incidents. Local governments must have a nuisance-abatement process and bring the case before a local board.
Those boards can order owners to correct the problem, restrict activity at the property or close a business associated with the nuisance.
Florida law already allows nuisance proceedings against properties repeatedly connected to prostitution, drug sales, stolen property, gang activity, unlawful alcohol sales and certain violent crimes.
Who could be affected
The expanded penalties are expected to apply primarily to commercial buildings, rental properties and other nonhomestead real estate.
Properties protected as homesteads under the Florida Constitution remain exempt from foreclosure under the nuisance-abatement law.
See also: Couple who welcomed more than 60 foster children honored by Savannah Bananas
Landlords and commercial property owners could still face daily fines and liens if they fail to address illegal activity involving tenants or businesses operating on their property.
The practical impact will vary by community because cities and counties are authorized — but not required — to adopt and use the expanded penalties.