STORAGE NAME: h0381d.COM
DATE: 4/11/2025
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FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: CS/CS/HB 381
TITLE: Platting
SPONSOR(S): Holcomb
COMPANION BILL: CS/CS/CS/SB 784 (Ingoglia)
LINKED BILLS: None
RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Housing, Agriculture & Tourism
16 Y, 0 N, As CS
Intergovernmental Affairs
16 Y, 0 N, As CS
Commerce
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill requires counties and municipalities to review and approve preliminary plat or replat submissions
administratively, conduct a review for compliance with recording requirements with 15 days of receipt, and make a
final determination within 30 business days.
The bill requires the local governing body responsible for reviewing and approving a plat to issue street and
mailing addresses, along with individual parcel identification numbers, within 20 business days after a final plat
has been recorded. If the local governing body fails to issue addresses or parcel identification numbers within the
required timeframe, the local governing body must reduce the addressing fee by 10 percent for each business day it
has failed to issue the information.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill may have an indeterminate negative fiscal impact on local governments to the extent those governments
must issue refunds for addressing fees. The bill may have a positive fiscal impact on plat applicants to the extent
those applicants may receive refunds and may benefit from faster approval of preliminary plats.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill requires a county or municipality to review and approve plat or replat submissions administratively. The
designee of the local government must review the submission for compliance with recording requirements within
15 days of receipt. If the review determines the submission is not in compliance, he or she must provide written
comments to the applicant within the 15-day period. The submittal must ultimately be approved, approved with
conditions, or denied within 30 working days, unless the applicant requests an extension in writing and the
governing body of the local government approves. The bill prohibits a local government from requesting or
requiring an applicant to file for an extension of time. (Section 1).
The bill requires a local governing body responsible for reviewing and approving a plat to issue the street and
mailing address, along with the individual parcel identification number within 20 business days after a final plat is
recorded by the circuit court clerk or other recording officer. The bill imposes a penalty on a local governing body
that fails to comply with the 20 business day deadline by requiring the local governing body to reduce the
addressing fee 10 percent for each business day the local government fails to issue the street address, mailing
address, and parcel identification number. (Section 2).
The effective date of the bill is July 1, 2025. (Section 3). JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
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FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
The bill may have an indeterminate negative fiscal impact on local governments to the extent those governments
must issue refunds for addressing fees.
PRIVATE SECTOR:
The bill may have a positive fiscal impact on plat applicants to the extent those applicants may receive refunds and
may benefit from faster approval of preliminary plats.
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Platting
A “plat” is a map or detailed representation of the subdivision of lands, providing a complete and precise depiction
of the subdivision, along with other information that complies with all applicable state requirements and local
ordinances.
1 Platting ensures that when subdividing property into lots, all streets, alleys, easements, rights-of-way,
public areas, utilities, and sewer and stormwater improvements are identified.
2
While state laws provide the minimum requirements for the platting of lands, local governments may adopt
additional requirements.
3 Prior to approval by the appropriate governing body, the plat must be reviewed for
conformity with state and local law and sealed by a professional surveyor and mapper who is either employed by
or under contract to the local governing body.
4
Before a plat is offered for recording with the clerk of the circuit court, it must be approved by the appropriate
governing body, and evidence of such approval must be placed on the plat. If not approved, the governing body
must return the plat to the professional surveyor and mapper or the legal entity offering the plat for recordation.
5
The authority for plat approval is designated as follows:
When the plat to be submitted for approval is located wholly within the boundaries of a municipality, the
governing body of the municipality has exclusive jurisdiction to approve the plat.
When a plat lies wholly within the unincorporated areas of a county, the governing body of the county has
exclusive jurisdiction to approve the plat.
When a plat lies within the boundaries of more than one governing body, two plats must be prepared and each
governing body has exclusive jurisdiction to approve the plat within its boundaries, unless the governing bodies
having said jurisdiction agree that one plat is mutually acceptable.
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Every plat of a subdivision offered for recording must have certain information, including providing:
The name of the plat in bold legible letters, and the name of the subdivision, professional surveyor and
mapper or legal entity, and street and mailing address on each sheet.
The section, township, and range immediately under the name of the plat on each sheet included, along
with the name of the city, town, village, county, and state in which the land being platted is situated.
The dedications and approvals by the surveyor and mapper and local governing body, and the circuit court
clerk’s certificate and the professional surveyor and mapper’s seal and statement.
1
S. 177.031(14), F.S.
2
S. 177.091, F.S.; LakelandLaw.com, (May 28, 2020), https://www.lakelandlaw.com/the-basics-of-platting-property/ (last
visited Apr. 11, 2025).
3
S. 177.011, F.S.
4
S. 177.081(1), F.S.
5
S. 177.071(1), F.S.
6
Id. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
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All section lines and quarter section lines occurring within the subdivision. If the description is by metes
and bounds, all information called for, such as the point of commencement, course bearings and distances,
and the point of beginning. If the platted lands are in a land grant or are not included in the subdivision of
government surveys, then the boundaries are to be defined by metes and bounds and courses.
Location, width, and names of all streets, waterways, or other rights-of-way.
Location and width of proposed easements and existing easements identified in the title opinion or
property information report must be shown on the plat or in the notes or legend, and their intended use.
All lots numbered either by progressive numbers or, if in blocks, progressively numbered in each block,
and the blocks progressively numbered or lettered, except that blocks in numbered additions bearing the
same name may be numbered consecutively throughout the several additions.
Sufficient survey data to positively describe the bounds of every lot, block, street easement, and all other
areas shown on the plat.
Designated park and recreation parcels.
All interior excepted parcels clearly indicated and labeled “Not a part of this plat.”
The purpose of all areas dedicated clearly indicated or stated on the plat.
That all platted utility easements must provide that such easements are also easements for the
construction, installation, maintenance, and operation of cable television services; provided, however, no
such construction, installation, maintenance, and operation of cable television services interferes with the
facilities and services of an electric, telephone, gas, or other public utility.
7
Many local governments have a process to approve a preliminary plat before approving a final plat, and once a
preliminary plat is approved, a developer may be allowed to commence construction before the plat is approved.
Generally, a preliminary plat is a technical, graphic representation of a proposed development, including plans for
streets, utilities, drainage, easements, and lot lines, for a proposed subdivision. If a preliminary plat is required, it is
generally a prerequisite for a final plat approval and the submission of any property improvement plans or permit
applications.
8 For example, the City of Jacksonville, the Village of Royal Palm Beach, and the City of Tallahassee
allow for a preliminary plat approval process.
9
The fee to have a plat approved differs between local governments. For instance:
The city of Orlando charges either $1,200 or $3,000, depending on the type of plat being submitted.
10
Madison County charges either $1500, $1700, or $2000, depending on whether it is a preliminary or final
plat and whether improvements are required; additionally, Madison County charges a $50 fee per lot, along
with consultant fees.
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Once a final plat is approved, it is submitted to the clerk of the circuit court for recording.
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Address Assignment
While the procedures for obtaining an address differ between local governments, they typically require the
submission of an application form, a survey map, proof of ownership, and compliance with local zoning
regulations.
13 Similarly, the timeframes and fees for obtaining an address vary depending on the jurisdiction. For
instance:
Leon County takes 45 days to issue a new address and street name, with a fee of $156.00.
14
Bay County takes five to seven business days, with a fee of $55.00.
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7
S. 177.091, F.S.
8
See e.g., City of Zephyrhills Code of Ordinances Art. XI, Part 11.03.00, s. 11.03.02.01.
9
Jacksonville, Fla., Code § 654.109 (2025), City of Jacksonville Code of Ordinances s. 654-109; Royal Palm Beach, Fla., Code §
22-22 (2025) Village of Royal Palm Beach Code of Ordinances s. 22-22, Tallahassee, Fla., Code § 9-92 (2025), City of
Tallahassee Code of Ordinances s. 9-92.
10
City of Orlando, Fees—Commercial Development, Fees—Commercial Development (last visited Apr. 11, 2025).
11
Madison County, Planning & Zoning Fees, Madison County Resolution No. 2016-09-14-A. (last visited Apr. 11, 2025).
12
S. 177.073(1)(b), F.S.
13
Land Buyers, How to Get an Address for Land in Florida: A Detailed Guide (last visited Apr. 11, 2025).
14
Leon County, Leon County AP&P Operating Guidelines (last visited Apr. 11, 2025).
15
Bay County, Address Numbering (last visited Apr. 11, 2025). JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
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Orange County, for a single-family residence, takes three business days, with a fee of $20.00.
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BILL HISTORY
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE
STAFF
DIRECTOR/
POLICY CHIEF
ANALYSIS
PREPARED BY
Housing, Agriculture & Tourism
Subcommittee
16 Y, 0 N, As CS 3/18/2025 Curtin Rodriguez
THE CHANGES ADOPTED BY THE
COMMITTEE:
Established a 20-business-day deadline, rather than a two-week
deadline, for local governments to issue a certain information.
Replaced “building permit fee” with “addressing fee.”
Intergovernmental Affairs
Subcommittee
16 Y, 0 N, As CS 4/1/2025 Darden Burgess
THE CHANGES ADOPTED BY THE
COMMITTEE:
Required counties and municipalities to review and approve
preliminary plat or replat submissions administratively and provided
timelines for approval.
Commerce Committee Hamon Rodriguez
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THIS BILL ANALYSIS HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCORPORATE ALL OF THE CHANGES DESCRIBED ABOVE.
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Orange County, Address Assignment (last visited Apr. 11, 2025).