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.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Sarasota, FL
Beekeeping in Sarasota is governed primarily by Florida state law - F.S. §586 (Honeybee Law) preempts most local regulation of beekeeping. Beekeepers must re...
Sarasota, FL
Sarasota does not have a citywide wildlife-feeding ban, but Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rules under F.A.C. 68A-4.001 prohibit int...
Sarasota, FL
Florida Statute §373.185 (Florida-Friendly Landscaping Act) preempts HOA and local-government bans on Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL). Sarasota homeowners...
Sarasota, FL
The City of Sarasota observes the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) year-round watering restrictions: two days per week for residential ad...
Sarasota, FL
Sarasota's property maintenance rules require lawns and lots to be maintained free of overgrown vegetation. While the Code does not specify an exact maximum ...
Sarasota, FL
Tree trimming in Sarasota is governed by Zoning Code Sec. VII-309 et seq. and ANSI A300 industry standards. Heavy pruning (more than 25% canopy removal) typi...
See how Sarasota'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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.