Losing local control

To be clear, there’s a lot to like in this bill. It’s no secret that Florida residents want to return to normalcy as quickly as possible after a hurricane. By expediting permitting processes and reducing red tape, SB 180 aims to eliminate the bureaucratic bottlenecks that delay home repairs and reconstruction. Homeowners and businesses, especially in hard-hit regions, may benefit from faster approvals and more consistent procedures across jurisdictions. The bill also includes provisions for additional training and planning for emergency management officials, which is a welcome and often overdue investment in local preparedness.

However, good policy cannot come at the cost of local flexibility and community stewardship. SB 180 preempts the ability of local governments to respond to their own unique post-disaster challenges, often by tying their hands during the most critical recovery periods.

But this law does bring serious concerns about preempting local authorities during such a disaster. For example, the law bans local governments from enacting construction moratoriums or land-use restrictions for one year after a hurricane makes landfall within 100 miles of the storm’s path and are under a federal disaster declaration.

And the restrictions don’t end there. The law retroactively suspends land-use planning authority from August 2024 through October 2027 in counties affected by Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. During this time, any effort to amend a local comprehensive plan or development procedure must have developer support. This effectively shifts the power of planning from elected officials and residents to those with commercial interests—often at odds with long-term public welfare.

Yes, standardization may be helpful in moments of chaos. And yes, Florida desperately needs efficiency in disaster recovery. But a one-size-fits-all solution imposed from Tallahassee won’t serve the mosaic of needs faced by cities across this state—especially when it comes to rebuilding smarter, safer, and more sustainably after a storm.

As we prepare for future hurricanes, let’s be cautious not to sacrifice local voice for speed, nor let the urgency of the moment override democratic process and environmental foresight. Collaboration, not preemption, should guide the path forward.