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House approves housing bill easing accessory dwelling unit rules after narrow debate
Summary
CS for CS for CS for SB 184, a broad housing bill that includes reusable tenant screening reports and requirements for local ADU ordinances, passed the House 97-10. Sponsors said it increases housing options; critics sought local control on lease length and parking.
The Florida House passed CS for CS for CS for Senate Bill 184 on April 30 by a 97-10 vote. The bill contains multiple housing measures including authorization for reusable tenant screening reports, a requirement that local governments adopt ordinances related to accessory dwelling units (ADUs) with specified conditions, and a study of mezzanine financing for tiny homes.
Representative Connerly, the bill sponsor, said the measure expands housing choices and clarifies that converting single- or two-family dwellings to certain mental health support residences does not automatically trigger building-code reclassification. He described ADUs as a tool to strengthen families and neighborhoods.
During debate, Representative Pinchoske (Pinchoske/Pinchosky in transcript) offered an amendment to make ADU adoption optional (“may” rather than “shall”), allow local lease minimums of six months, require owner-occupancy for the primary residence in some cases, and permit local parking requirements when a garage or carport is converted. The amendment to the strike-all failed in a recorded voice vote; the sponsor said the bill empowers property owners while leaving many regulatory choices to local governments.
Representative Edmondson and others urged the chamber to back the bill as a tool to reduce housing costs and increase options for renters and homeowners. Opponents worried about the potential for ADUs to become de facto short‑term rentals absent stronger local guardrails.
The bill also requires an office study on mezzanine financing for tiny homes and includes tenant-screening reforms intended to reduce repeated screening fees for renters. Following debate and amendment votes, the House placed the bill on final passage; the clerk reported 97 yays and 10 nays.
Why it matters: ADU and tenant-screening rules affect housing affordability and local zoning; the bill aims to increase housing supply while preserving local discretion on details such as parking.
