Hello,
I haven't seen any mention of FL House Bill 403 in local media, seems like pretty gigantic issue. Thoughts?
It's on the Governor's desk ready to sign. Would circumvent all local zoning in Florida around home based businesses, which would seem to devalue vacant commercial space greatly, and create a huge Code Enforcement policing burden on local government. Not to mention hurt residential quality of life.
I know the APA is lobbying against it, but I haven't seen anyone else making noise.
Good article explaining the potential impact and rationale:
https://www.wlrn.org/news/2021-04-05/a-power-grab-or-freedom-florida-home-businesses-bill-divides-state-and-local-officials
APA did lobby against it as did other organizations (like 100 Friend of Florida), but to no avail. The Governor signed the bill last week.
I find myself very conflicted with this bill. It definitely offers more inclusion and lowers the bar for start up businesses, which is very important for historically excluded populations and communities. However, I can see how the neighbor operating a cabinet factory out of their garage could drive someone insane.
For those interested, the text of the bill
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2021/403/BillText/er/PDF
interesting bit:
Parking related to the business activities of the 52home-based business complies with local zoning requirements and 53the need for parking generated by the business may not be 54greater in volume than would normally be expected at a similar 55residence where no business is conducted.
another interesting bit:
The employees of the business who work at the 45residential dwelling must also reside in the residential 46dwelling, except that up to a total of two employees or 47independent contractors whodo not reside at the residential 48dwelling may work at the business.
another:
The activities of the home-based business are 78secondary to the property's use as a residential dwelling.
another:
The business activities comply with any relevant local 80or state regulations with respect to signage and equipment or 81processes that create noise, vibration, heat, smoke, dust, 82glare, fumes, or noxious odors. Any local regulations on a 83business with respect to noise, vibration, heat, smoke, dust, 84glare, fumes, or noxious odors may not be more stringent than 85those that apply to a residence where no business is conducted
Quote from: tufsu1 on July 07, 2021, 02:00:04 PM
APA did lobby against it as did other organizations (like 100 Friend of Florida), but to no avail. The Governor signed the bill last week.
Welp, I'm a day late and a dollar short.
I'm no fan of DeSantis, but the way the law is worded protects it from abuse. This will just support small businesses and startups, and it isn't too different from what people unofficially do anyways.
This kinda reminds me of the HBO show "Silicon Valley" as the company featured in that show resides in a house for most of its early existence, and the plot point of them not being allowed to have a business there comes up semi-frequently.