Florida Lawmakers Approve Zoning Overhaul for Treasure Coast Affordable Housing

The Florida Legislature has approved sweeping updates to the Live Local Act that would further restrict how Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River county governments can block affordable housing developments through local zoning rules, sending the measure to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature.

If signed, the bill would require cities and counties across the Treasure Coast — along with every other Florida jurisdiction — to permit apartment buildings or mixed-use housing projects in areas currently zoned for commercial or industrial uses, provided at least 40 percent of the units are set aside as affordable housing for 30 years. That same standard could apply to land owned by local governments, school districts, or large religious institutions.

The Florida House voted 109-2 to adopt Senate Bill 962, joining action the Senate had already taken. The lopsided vote signals broad bipartisan support for the measure.

Local governments would also face new limits on how much they can restrict building height or design for qualifying developments, making it harder for county commissions and city councils to use zoning codes to effectively veto projects. The bill would additionally require local governments to allow accessory dwelling units — commonly called "granny flats" or backyard apartments — in single-family neighborhoods through a streamlined approval process, with those units rented at affordable rates to lower- or moderate-income tenants.

The original Live Local Act passed in 2023 to spur construction of affordable and workforce housing through funding, tax incentives, and zoning preemptions statewide. The Legislature has amended that law three times, each round aimed at tightening its requirements on local governments and broadening its reach.

For Treasure Coast property owners and local officials, the revisions add new pressure to accommodate higher-density housing in areas traditionally reserved for retail, office, or light industrial uses — a shift that could reshape commercial corridors in communities from Vero Beach to Stuart to Port St. Lucie.

The bill now awaits action from DeSantis. No signing date has been announced.

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