Does Hernando County, FL have its own rent control ordinance?

No. Hernando County, FL does not appear to have a local rent control ordinance, Florida state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from Florida Statutes.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Hernando County

Hernando County, FL Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)

Few Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Rent control rules in Hernando County, FL, also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances, limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.

Key Facts

Rent control: Flat state ban
Governing law: Fla. Stat. §125.0103
Key change: 2023 Live Local Act
Rent increases: Market rate, any amount
Notice: Per lease / §83.57

Summary

Neither Hernando County nor the City of Brooksville can control rent. Florida's 2023 Live Local Act rewrote Fla. Stat. §125.0103 into a flat ban, deleting the old housing-emergency exception, so no local government may cap rent increases on any Nature Coast rental.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Hernando County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A municipality, county, or other entity of local government may not adopt or maintain in effect any law, ordinance, rule, or other measure that would have the effect of imposing controls on rents.

Source: Florida StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

Before 2023, Florida let a county impose rent control only after declaring a housing emergency and winning a voter referendum. The Live Local Act (SB 102) deleted that exception, leaving Fla. Stat. §125.0103 as a flat prohibition. Hernando County and Brooksville set no ceiling on what a landlord in Spring Hill, Weeki Wachee, or Brooksville may charge or how much rent rises at renewal. A tenant's real protection is the lease itself, plus the notice rules in Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Month-to-month tenancies still require written notice before a rent change under Fla. Stat. §83.57.

Violations & Fines

A local rent-control ordinance would be void under state preemption. A landlord who raises rent without the notice a month-to-month tenancy requires, or in retaliation for a complaint, gives the tenant grounds to contest it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Hernando County or Brooksville cap my rent?

No. Fla. Stat. §125.0103 flatly forbids any Florida county or city from imposing rent controls. The 2023 Live Local Act removed the old emergency exception, so no local rent cap is possible.

How much notice before a rent increase?

For a fixed-term lease, at renewal. For month-to-month, the landlord must give the same written notice needed to end the tenancy, generally 30 days under Fla. Stat. §83.57.

Sources & Official References

[1]Florida Statutes

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All Hernando County rules

Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hernando County to another location·View the Florida rental property rules overview

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