Florida Statute 823.14, the Florida Right to Farm Act, protects established bona fide farm operations from nuisance suits and local ordinances that would inhibit standard agricultural practices conducted in good faith.
Section 823.14, Florida Statutes, declares that established agricultural production conducted on a bona fide farm is presumed reasonable and not a nuisance once it has been in operation for one year or more, provided it complies with generally accepted agricultural practices and laws. The statute also bars local governments from adopting ordinances that prohibit, restrict, regulate, or otherwise limit a bona fide farm operation on land classified as agricultural under Section 193.461. 2023 amendments tightened standing rules, requiring nuisance plaintiffs to be within a half mile of the farm and to file within one year of the operation starting.
Nuisance suits and local ordinances inconsistent with FS 823.14 may be dismissed or invalidated, with prevailing farms entitled to attorney fees in some cases.
Cape Coral, FL
Cape Coral Β§12-22 (Noise Control Ordinance, amended Dec 2019) prohibits noise plainly audible at 50 feet between 11 PM and 7 AM from any radio, TV, musical i...
Cape Coral, FL
FL Β§316.1945 establishes a 72-hour threshold for abandoned vehicles on public roads. Cape Coral Code Compliance Division handles abandoned vehicle complaints...
Cape Coral, FL
Cape Coral Land Development Code Section 5.2.7 limits residential fences in the front setback, allows up to 6 feet in side and rear yards, and requires open ...
Cape Coral, FL
Dogs in Cape Coral must be under direct control on a leash not exceeding 8 feet in length under Lee County Animal Control Ordinance. Cape Coral Code Chapter ...
Cape Coral, FL
Cape Coral short-term rentals must follow the same parking standards as other dwellings in the Land Development Code Article 6, which requires off-street par...
Cape Coral, FL
Cape Coral short-term rentals must comply with the city's general noise ordinance (Code Sec. 12-22), which limits multi-family residential sound to 55 dBA fr...
See how Cape Coral's farm nuisance protection rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.