New Florida HOA law: 8 things HOAs may no longer do to Palm Beach County homeowners

As of July 1, a Florida new law limiting what homeowner associations in the state and Palm Beach County can do to their members went into effect.

HOAs may no longer do these 8 things to Palm Beach County homeowners:

1. Enforce rules on some residents but not others
2. Ban homeowners or their invited guests from parking personal, business or first responder vehicles (including pickup trucks) that are not commercial vehicles in their driveways or any other area where they have a right to park per state, county and municipal regulations
3. Ban contractors or workers from the homeowner's property
4. Fine residents for leaving garbage cans at the curb or the end of their driveway within 24 hours of a scheduled trash collection
5. Fine residents for leaving up holiday lights or decorations past the HOA's rules without prior notice, after which the homeowner will have one week to take them down
6. Limit or create rules for the inside of a structure that isn't visible from the street, a neighbor's property, an adjacent common area or a community golf course
7. Ban vegetable gardens or clotheslines, if they can't be seen from the street, a neighbor's property, an adjacent common area or a community golf course
8. Require review and approval of plans for central air conditioning, refrigeration, heating or ventilation system that isn't visible from the street, a neighbor's property, an adjacent common area or a community golf course and is similar to previously approved systems. If a construction or improvement request is denied, the HOA also must provide written notice "stating with specificity" exactly why and under which rule or covenant.

'Rural gentrification':Acreage truckers sue Palm Beach County to stop semi-truck ban

What is the 2024 HOA law (HB 1203) in Florida?

HB 1203, Homeowners' Association, was just one of several HOA bills introduced in this year's legislative session to rein in HOA excesses but it may be the most sweeping one, amounting to essentially a Homeowner's Bill of Rights. This law comes just after another one forcing HOAs to allow homeowners to harden their homes against hurricanes.

HOA fines limited in Palm Beach County and Florida

There are also big changes in HOA fines.

• HOAs may not levy fines more than $100 per violation or more than $1,000 in total if daily fines are levied
• HOAs may not put a lien in a parcel for fines of less than $1,000
• If the violation is cured before the hearing or in a manner specified in the written notice, the fine or suspension may not be imposed

To learn more about the new Florida HOA law, read the full story here: Here’s what HOAs in Palm Beach County can’t do to you anymore as of Monday, July 1