Jacksonville's Rental Property Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles rental property rules a little differently. In Jacksonville, Florida, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Repairs & Habitability

Jacksonville's Property Safety and Maintenance Code requires every rental dwelling unit to have working heat, hot water, a flush toilet, and a kitchen sink, with heat reaching 65°F in winter.

Key details: Minimum winter heat: 65°F, 3 ft above floor. Hot water minimum: 120°F at fixtures. Enforcement: Municipal Code Compliance Division. Landlord-controlled heat season: Oct 1 – Apr 30. Penalty: Class C offense per 15 days.

Class C offense; a separate offense is charged for each 15 days a violation of the Part continues

Rent Control

Jacksonville has no rent control ordinance. Florida preempts all local rent control under Fla. Stat. Sec. 125.0103, which limited counties to enacting rent control only after specific emergency-housing-shortage findings. The 2023 Live Local Act (SB 102) and HB 1417 further eliminated the narrow housing-emergency exception and preempted local tenant-protection ordinances. Jacksonville may not adopt rent stabilization, rent caps, or any local limit on rent increases. Landlords may raise rent at lease renewal by any amount with proper statutory notice.

Key details: State Preemption: Fla. Stat. Sec. 125.0103 + Sec. 166.0444. Live Local Act: SB 102 (2023) bans local rent control. Jacksonville Authority: None: cannot adopt rent control. Notice for Rent Increases: Per lease terms; 30 days for month-to-month. Rent Caps: No state or local cap.

There is no local rent-control ordinance to violate; state law preempts one. Disputes over rent increases are handled under the lease and Florida landlord-tenant law.

Jacksonville is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rent control. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Jacksonville's rental property rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Jacksonville is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Jacksonville can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.