New Florida Laws Go Into Effect: Starting October 1, 2025, Florida is set to implement a slew of new laws that will impact everything from business operations and property rights to public safety and personal conduct. These laws represent significant changes aimed at improving community safety, supporting economic growth, protecting property owners and tenants, and strengthening criminal penalties for serious offenses. Whether you’re a business owner, commuter, property buyer, or just a Floridian curious about how the state is evolving, understanding these laws is crucial. This article provides a clear, comprehensive, and actionable guide to everything you need to know.
New Florida Laws Go Into Effect
Florida’s new laws coming into effect October 1, 2025, bring broad-ranging changes with a focus on safety, economic relief, and fairness. Businesses benefit from the repeal of commercial rent sales tax, while residents gain protections through flood disclosures and tougher penalties against dangerous offenses. Property owners gain stronger rights, and boaters and drone users face new rules reflective of modern needs. Staying informed and compliant is the best way to navigate these changes smoothly and confidently.
| Law/Topic | Key Info | Why It Matters | Reference Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Rent Sales Tax Ends | Florida drops 2% sales tax on commercial leases starting Oct. 1, 2025 | Saves businesses thousands yearly | Florida Legislature |
| Harsher Penalties for Fleeing Police | Increased felony levels for fleeing police, especially causing injury | Deters dangerous high-speed chases | HB 113 |
| Motor Vehicle and License Plate Laws | New felony/misdemeanor rules for obscuring plates and other motor crimes | Cracks down on vehicle-related crimes | |
| Trenton’s Law (DUI & Boating Offenses) | Tougher penalties for repeat DUI and boating deaths | Protects public safety, honors victims | |
| Flood Risk Disclosures for Rentals & Sales | Mandatory flood risk disclosures for landlords and sellers | Helps renters and buyers make informed decisions | |
| Boater Freedom Act | Limits law enforcement stops for random boat safety checks | Protects boaters from unwarranted stops | |
| Squatter Removal Law Update | Empowers property owners to quickly remove unauthorized occupants | Strengthens property rights but impacts renters | |
| New Capital Felony for Human Trafficking | Life imprisonment or death penalty for trafficking vulnerable people | Stiffens punishment for severe human rights crimes | |
| Drone Law Expansion | Prohibits drones over critical infrastructure and weaponized drones | Addresses surveillance and public safety concerns | |
| Stricter Sexual Offender Monitoring | New reporting requirements and verification frequency | Enhances community safety | |
| Workers’ Compensation Updates | Increased reimbursement to medical providers for workers’ comp cases | Improved healthcare access for injured employees | |
| Minimum Wage Increase | Minimum wage rises to $14/hour for non-tipped, $10.98 tipped employees | Raises income floor for Floridians |
Commercial Rent Sales Tax Repealed — What It Means for Businesses
One of the most applauded changes coming in October is the elimination of Florida’s 2% sales tax on commercial leases, a tax that businesses have long complained about as an added expense in running storefronts, offices, warehouses, and other commercial facilities. This means that starting October 1, commercial tenants will no longer pay this tax, and landlords will need to adjust lease agreements accordingly.
This repeal translates directly into savings — for many businesses, this will amount to thousands of dollars in tax relief annually, helping them boost cash flow, invest in growth, or reduce operating costs. Unlike residential leases or rentals, this benefit applies strictly to commercial property leases.
However, tenants and landlords will want to double-check their contracts and payments to ensure the tax has been removed post-October 1 and seek professional advice if there are questions about adjustments or refunds.
Tougher Penalties for Fleeing Police and Motor Crimes
House Bill 113 revises and toughens penalties for fleeing or eluding law enforcement. The offense severity ranking chart used to determine sentencing levels has been adjusted:
- Fleeing from police in a patrol vehicle with sirens and lights activated while driving at high speed moves from Level 4 to Level 5 offense.
- Aggravated fleeing with injury or property damage moves from Level 5 to Level 6 offense.
These increments mean longer mandatory minimum sentences for offenders and a tougher stance on dangerous pursuits that risk public safety.
Simultaneously, House Bill 253 cracks down on drivers tampering with license plates or using devices to obscure plates to evade law enforcement or commit crimes. These actions now carry more severe misdemeanor or felony charges, particularly if devices are sold or used during criminal activity.
For anyone who has considered dodging the law this way, the message is clear — Florida is raising the stakes.
Trenton’s Law: Protecting Lives with Harsher DUI & Boating Penalties
Named after Trenton Stewart, a young victim of repeat DUI offenses, this law targets repeat offenders who cause fatalities on roads or waterways. Repeat DUI or boating offenses causing death now carry felony charges with longer prison sentences. Additionally, first refusals to submit to breath or urine testing during law enforcement stops now have enhanced penalties, underscoring the state’s zero-tolerance policy for impaired driving and boating.
This law aims to save lives by making sure those who repeatedly break DUI laws face stiffer consequences before tragedy strikes.
Flood Risk Disclosures: Transparency for Renters and Buyers
As Florida continues to face increasing risks from hurricanes and flooding, Senate Bill 948 mandates landlords, mobile home park owners, and property sellers disclose detailed flood-related information including:
- Whether the property is located in a flood zone
- Any history of flood damage in the past five years
- Availability of flood insurance and evacuation plans
This transparency protects renters and buyers by providing the full picture before making housing decisions, helping avoid surprise damages and insurance costs later. Tenants can now legally terminate leases if landlords fail to disclose flood risks, and property buyers have safer avenues to make informed purchases.
Boater Freedom Act: Balancing Safety and Liberty on Florida Waterways
Florida’s vast network of waterways makes it a boater’s paradise, and the new law protects boaters from random and unwarranted stops by law enforcement targeting safety inspections with no probable cause. Unless an officer has reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing—such as visible violations—boats cannot be stopped without cause.
This act preserves both public safety and the freedoms that boaters cherish, preventing harassment while ensuring officers can still enforce safety rules when necessary.
Property Owner Protections with Updated Squatter Removal Law
New modifications provide property owners stronger tools to evict unauthorized occupants—commonly known as squatters—without lengthy court battles. Property owners can take action immediately if occupants lack legitimate leases, reducing illegal occupation and preserving property rights.
While this protects owners, renters without proper lease agreements should be mindful, as those living informally may be more vulnerable to swift eviction.
Expanded Drone Laws to Protect Critical Infrastructure and Privacy
House Bill 1121 expands drone regulations including:
- Banning drones from flying over critical infrastructure like power plants and water facilities
- Prohibiting weaponized drones carrying firearms or dangerous devices
- Criminalizing drone surveillance used to spy and distribute private footage
These regulations aim to address national security and privacy concerns emerging in an age of expanding drone technology.
Stricter Monitoring of Sexual Offenders
House Bill 1351 imposes enhanced reporting requirements on registered sexual offenders, including more frequent home address verifications (four times per year for sexual predators) and mandatory disclosure of work addresses and phone numbers. Non-compliance now carries felony consequences. These measures strengthen community safety by tightening tracking and accountability.
Workers’ Compensation and Minimum Wage Updates
The state significantly increases reimbursement rates for medical providers treating workers’ compensation cases to improve the quality and availability of care for injured employees.
Florida’s minimum wage also climbs to $14 per hour for non-tipped workers and $10.98 for tipped employees starting September 30, 2025, improving income for many working Floridians.
Practical Advice On New Florida Laws Go Into Effect
- Business Owners: Adjust commercial leases, budgets, and compliance policies to reflect the sales tax repeal and motor vehicle law updates. Consult professionals for lease modifications.
- Renters and Home Buyers: Demand flood risk disclosures before signing leases or contracts, and use this info to assess insurance needs.
- Drivers and Boaters: Avoid risky behavior like fleeing police and impaired driving; be aware of harsher consequences.
- Property Owners: Use new eviction powers responsibly, respecting tenants’ rights while protecting your property.
- Everyone: Stay updated and consider legal advice if impacted by any of the new laws.
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