Seminole County, FL Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

Seminole County Code Sec. 241 adopts the Standard Housing Code, 1991 Edition, published by the Southern Building Code Congress International, to govern maintenance and habitability of existing housing in the unincorporated county. Where the adopted code conflicts with the rest of the Seminole County Code, the County Code controls under Sec. 241(b). The county amended several sections of the adopted model code: Sec. 242(a)-(c) deletes the model code's own hardship, board of adjustment and appeals sections, and Sec. 1 to give the Housing Official, or an authorized representative, a right of entry to any dwelling, apartment or premises during reasonable hours after presenting identification, with no advance-notice limitation in an emergency involving potential loss of life or severe property damage.

Section 104, as amended by Sec. 242(e), directs the Housing Official to inspect residential buildings to safeguard occupant and public health and requires owners and occupants to give free access during reasonable inspection times. A cited owner may request administrative review of a Building Inspector's notice of violation from the Building Official within 30 calendar days under Sec. 243; the Building Official must decide within 30 days. That decision can be appealed to the Director of Planning and Development within 15 days, or 45 days if the Building Official never rules, per Sec.

244 and Sec. 245(a)-(b). The Board of County Commissioners issues the final administrative review under Sec. 245(e). 246 lets the Board enforce the Housing Code through neighborhood housing inspection programs created by resolution, letting staff target specific unincorporated areas, such as Fern Park or Forest City, for proactive habitability sweeps.