Commercial property owners now have expanded authority to remove unauthorized occupants who aren’t paying rent or fees.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis previously enacted legislation in 2024 to expedite squatter removal from residential properties. This week, he approved two additional bills extending these protections to commercial properties and hospitality establishments.
“Current law unfortunately allows lengthy and cumbersome processes for removing unauthorized occupants from commercial properties, creating incentives for exploitation,” DeSantis explained during a Sarasota press conference.
The first bill (SB 322) empowers commercial landlords to request police assistance in removing unauthorized occupants, provided specific requirements are met, including prior notice to vacate. The legislation also permits those removed to pursue legal action for wrongful eviction.
The second bill (SB 606) streamlines the removal process for non-paying guests who exceed their stay at hotels and similar accommodations. It establishes clear distinctions between tenants and guests, allowing law enforcement to remove violators.
The Florida Hospitality Trade Group’s CEO praised the hotel legislation: hotels must concentrate on guest experiences, not navigating prolonged bureaucratic obstacles to remove problematic occupants. This law shields hotel operators from expensive legal delays while ensuring room availability for legitimate customers.”
Both laws become effective on July 1st.
One additional provision will take effect in 2026: restaurants must provide transparent disclosure of automatic gratuities or service charges to customers.
State housing advocacy groups, including the Florida Supportive Housing Coalition, have not yet issued public statements regarding the new legislation.