The Florida Starter Homes Act (HB 1143)

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently Died in Commerce Committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

15 actions

Feb 16, 2026House
Now in Commerce Committee
Feb 16, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred to State Affairs Committee
Feb 16, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred to Commerce Committee
Feb 13, 2026HouseIntroduced
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
Feb 13, 2026HouseIntroduced
CS Filed
Feb 13, 2026House
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

Show 9 earlier actions

Feb 13, 2026House
Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
Feb 12, 2026HouseCommittee
Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
Feb 10, 2026House
PCS added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroduced
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
Jan 12, 2026House
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
Jan 12, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred to State Affairs Committee
Jan 12, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
Jan 12, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced
Filed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

If enacted, this bill would override local zoning ordinances across Florida, forcing cities and counties to allow higher-density residential development on smaller lots and stripping them of the power to deny certain housing types based on local aesthetic or size preferences.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Local governments

Must change zoning codes and permit processing procedures to comply with state-mandated standards.

Property developers

Gain new rights to build higher-density housing on smaller lots with faster permit approval timelines.

Homeowners' associations

The bill explicitly preserves the ability of HOAs to maintain their own governing documents and deed restrictions.

Residents

May see changes in neighborhood density and housing types allowed on adjacent residential lots.

What changed

Current stage: Died in Commerce Committee.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill aims to increase housing supply by limiting the ability of local governments to restrict the development of 'starter homes' like duplexes and townhouses. It sets strict state-mandated timelines for local permit approvals and prohibits local rules that require large lot sizes, excessive parking, or specific architectural styles for these homes.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bill apply to all residential properties?

No, it specifically applies to 'starter homes' (1-4 dwelling units) on lots connected to public water and sewer systems, excluding areas of critical state concern.

Can my homeowners' association (HOA) still enforce its own rules?

Yes, the bill explicitly states it does not restrict HOAs or deed restrictions, provided they are voluntary and not imposed by a local government.

What happens if my city takes too long to process my building application?

If the city misses the state-mandated deadlines for review, the application is 'deemed approved' and the city must refund your application fee.

Why It Matters

If enacted, this bill would override local zoning ordinances across Florida, forcing cities and counties to allow higher-density residential development on smaller lots and stripping them of the power to deny certain housing types based on local aesthetic or size preferences.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Voting Record

Motion succeededhouse2/12/2026Official roll call ↗

Favorable (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee)

Total

33

Yes

27

No

4

Present

0

Not Voting

2

Abstain

0

How they voted (33)

+ 9 more

Full roll-call analysis →

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift100% confidence

State Preemption of Local Zoning

The bill marks a significant shift toward state-level control over local residential development, specifically targeting minimum lot sizes and parking requirements.

Florida Starter Homes Act

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance90
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy85
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz40
Current news / social attention level