Adverse possession in Florida requires 7 years of actual, continued, exclusive possession plus paying all taxes within a year and filing a return with the property appraiser (Fla. Stat. § 95.18). Separately, the 2024 anti-squatter law HB 621 (Fla. Stat. § 82.036) lets owners have a sheriff remove unauthorized occupants within hours, without a lawsuit.
Under § 95.18, a person claiming title without a written instrument must hold 'actual continued possession of real property for 7 years under a claim of title exclusive of any other right,' pay all outstanding taxes within 1 year of entering possession, keep paying taxes, and file an adverse-possession return with the county property appraiser within 30 days; the property must be enclosed or 'cultivated, maintained, or improved in a usual manner.' The return 'does not create any interest enforceable by law.' HB 621 (effective July 1, 2024) created § 82.036: an owner or agent files a verified complaint and the sheriff 'shall, without delay, serve a notice to immediately vacate' on unlawful occupants who are not current or former tenants or family.
Under § 82.036, removed occupants who are actually lawful may sue for wrongful removal and recover actual damages, triple the fair market rent, costs, and fees. Squatters who present fraudulent documents face a first-degree misdemeanor, and those who intentionally cause $1,000 or more in damage face a second-degree felony.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Ocoee, FL
Amplified music audible beyond 100 feet from the property line is prohibited at any time in residential zones under Ocoee Code Chapter 110. Special event per...
Ocoee, FL
Commercial properties in Ocoee must contain noise within property boundaries between 10 PM and 7 AM. Loading docks, HVAC units, and delivery activity near re...
Ocoee, FL
Ocoee defines abandoned vehicles as inoperable, unregistered, or parked over 72 hours on public property. FL §715.05 authorizes tow after notice. Code enforc...
Ocoee, FL
Corner lots in Ocoee require a clear sight visibility triangle of 25 feet from the intersection. Fences, landscaping, and structures over 30 inches tall are ...
Ocoee, FL
Ocoee allows up to 4 backyard hens on single-family lots through its urban chicken program. No roosters permitted. Coops must be at least 25 feet from neighb...
Ocoee, FL
Ocoee cannot restrict dogs by breed. FL §767.14 preempts all breed-specific legislation statewide. Dangerous dog determinations are behavior-based under FL §...
See how Ocoee's squatter's rights & adverse possession rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.