SB 48 Florida Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Housing

Summary

Housing; Defining the term “primary dwelling unit”; requiring local governments to adopt, by a specified date, an ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units to be approved in certain areas; requiring the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to evaluate the efficacy of using mezzanine finance and the potential of tiny homes for specified purposes, etc.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Jan 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Mar 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

S 48 c1 → S 48 c2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated from a first committee substitute to a second version, refining the definitions and requirements for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The most significant change is the removal of the term 'by right,' which previously mandated that ADUs be approved without public hearings, replacing it with language allowing ADUs to be approved in certain areas without specifying the approval process. Additionally, an exception was added for local governments that are already required by state law to limit the number of new housing units, exempting them from the new ADU ordinance requirement. The bill also clarifies the definitions of various income levels and adjusts the legislative committee assignments.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was narrowed by adding an exemption for local governments that are already restricted by state law from building new dwelling units, meaning these specific jurisdictions are not required to adopt the new ADU ordinance.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the specific requirement that ADUs must be approved 'by right' (without a public hearing), changing the mandate to simply allow approval in certain areas.

ELIGIBILITY

Added an exception exempting local governments that are already required by state law to limit the number of new dwelling units from adopting the new ADU ordinance.

DEFINITION

Removed the definition for the term 'by right' from the list of defined terms in the statute.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header to reflect the second committee substitute version and adjusted the list of sponsoring committees and senators.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 4, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 40

Feb 4, 2026

D Democratic11

11 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican28

27 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

CS passed; YEAS 38 NAYS 0

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Rules, 01/27/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building

upper

Jan 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

CS by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; YEAS 13 NAYS 0

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

upper

Jan 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, 01/14/26, 11:30 am, 110 Senate Building

upper

Nov 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Now in Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

upper

Nov 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable by Community Affairs; YEAS 7 NAYS 0

upper

Oct 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Community Affairs, 11/04/25, 3:30 pm, 37 Senate Building

upper

Oct 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to Community Affairs; Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; Rules

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors