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Florida Gov. DeSantis signs laws targeting squatters

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Published  June 2, 2025 6:16am EDT
Florida
FOX 35 Orlando
DeSantis signs anti-squatter legislation

DeSantis signs anti-squatter legislation

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference at The Westin Sarasota to sign an anti-squatter legislation.

The Brief

    • Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two new bills cracking down on commercial squatters.
    • Business owners say the laws will help protect property and avoid legal gridlock.
    • Law enforcement now has more authority to swiftly remove unauthorized occupants.

SARASOTA, Fla. -
Squatting — where individuals occupy a property without the legal right to do so — is a growing issue across the United States, and Florida lawmakers are responding with new legislation. 

What we know:

On Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills — Senate Bill 322 and Senate Bill 606 — that significantly expand property owners’ rights and give law enforcement new tools to remove squatters from commercial properties such as hotels, restaurants, and retail establishments. 

The legislation builds on a law passed last year aimed at helping residential homeowners but now extends protections to the broader business sector.

What we don't know:

It remains unclear how frequently squatting occurs in commercial properties across the state, as statewide data on incidents is limited. Critics of the bills — if any exist — have not yet voiced public opposition. Additionally, it's uncertain how enforcement will unfold on the ground and whether there will be legal challenges or unintended consequences tied to the new laws.

The backstory:

The push to strengthen anti-squatting laws accelerated after a string of high-profile incidents in Florida and across the nation. In Sarasota, a guest at the Westin hotel allegedly refused to leave after erratic and disruptive behavior in August. Body camera footage showed law enforcement struggling to remove the woman. Hotel staff cited repeated incidents and an inability to get her to vacate voluntarily. 

These types of scenarios, once seen as isolated, are increasingly cited by businesses as costly and difficult to resolve under previous legal frameworks.

Big picture view:

State lawmakers, backed by the hospitality industry, are seeking to reinforce property rights and minimize legal ambiguity. The move is being described as a victory for Florida’s business and tourism sectors. 

By tightening definitions of transient occupancy and streamlining the eviction process, officials aim to prevent hotels and restaurants from becoming entangled in long, costly legal disputes typically seen in residential landlord-tenant cases.

What's next:

Senate Bill 322 introduces criminal penalties not only for unlawful occupation but also for those who list properties fraudulently or teach others how to squat. 

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Florida Governor's Office on June 2, 2025. 

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