Rent control rules in Winter Haven, FL — also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances — limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Florida Statutes 125.0103 and 166.043 prohibit counties and cities from imposing rent control on private residential rentals except in a narrowly declared housing emergency, with mandatory voter approval and a one-year sunset.
FS 166.043 (cities) and FS 125.0103 (counties) declare rent control contrary to state policy and bar local rent ceilings on dwellings owned by private parties. The only exception is a measure adopted to address a documented housing emergency so grave it constitutes a serious threat to the public; even then, the ordinance must be approved by referendum, last no longer than one year, and exempt luxury and seasonal rentals. Orange County voters tested this in 2022; courts struck the measure for failing the high evidentiary bar. No active rent control exists anywhere in Florida.
Local rent control ordinances are unenforceable and face injunction; landlords cannot be fined for charging market rent.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Winter Haven, FL
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