Brevard County, FL Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Brevard County Code § 22-278
- Scope
- Unincorporated Brevard only
- Required fixtures
- Bathtub/shower, lavatory, water closet, kitchen sink
- Enforcement
- Code enforcement citations under Fla. Stat. ch. 162
- Owner duty
- Maintain premises safe and sanitary
Summary
The county's property maintenance code requires owners of unincorporated Brevard rental housing to keep buildings safe and sanitary, working plumbing, sound roofs, secure doors and windows, and bars renting out units that don't comply.
Responsibility. The owner of the premises shall maintain the building, structure and property in compliance with these requirements, except as otherwise provided for in this article. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or permit another person to occupy premises which are not in a sanitary and safe condition and which do not comply with the requirements of this article. Maintenance responsibility for mobile homes and premises located within mobile home parks lies with the responsible party, dependant on that party's property ownership. Pursuant to F.S. § 723.024, no code enforcement action shall be brought against a mobile home owner or mobile home for any duty or responsibility of the mobile home park owner. No code enforcement action shall be brought against any mobile home park owner or mobile home park property for any duty or responsibility of the mobile home owner.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Brevard County Code § 22-278 makes the property owner responsible for keeping rental buildings and structures 'in good repair, structurally sound and sanitary,' and flatly bars occupancy of premises that are 'not in a sanitary and safe condition.' Every dwelling unit must have its own bathtub or shower, lavatory, water closet and kitchen sink, all connected to running water, plus sound roofs, weatherproof exterior walls, working doors and windows, and safe electrical and mechanical systems. This applies only in unincorporated Brevard. Palm Bay, Melbourne, Titusville and Cocoa enforce their own codes.
Violations & Fines
Violations are code enforcement cases under Chapter 2, Article VI, Division 2 and Fla. Stat. ch. 162, which allow citations and daily fines until the property is brought into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply inside Melbourne or Palm Bay?
What counts as an uninhabitable rental in unincorporated Brevard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brevard County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Brevard County to another location·View the Florida rental property rules overview
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