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Select your role and situation above
We'll show you exactly what Florida law says and what your next steps are.
🏠 Resident / Owner
Florida Statute § 718.113 · § 720.303
Parking rules in your governing documents are enforceable — and the board has authority to act.
Florida HOA and condo associations have broad authority to enforce parking rules contained in their governing documents. If your space is assigned, it is yours exclusively. If guest parking is being abused, the association can issue violations, impose fines, and authorize towing of unauthorized vehicles.
Read Florida Statute § 718.113 →
What To Do
1
Document the violation with photos. Photograph the offending vehicle in the space, including the license plate and your space number marker if visible. Note the date and time. Do this every time it happens.
2
Report in writing to the board or property manager. Include your photos and dates. Ask them to confirm in writing what action they will take and on what timeline.
3
Ask about towing authorization. Florida law (§ 715.07) allows associations to tow unauthorized vehicles from private property with proper signage in place. Ask if your community is set up for towing and what the process is.
4
If it's an assigned space — you have stronger rights. An assigned parking space is your property right. Repeated unauthorized use of your assigned space may support additional legal remedies beyond normal HOA enforcement.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. Do not attempt to block, damage, or otherwise interfere with a vehicle in your space — this creates personal liability for you regardless of the parking violation.
🏠 Resident / Owner
Florida Statute § 720.303 · § 718.113
Vehicle restrictions in governing documents are generally enforceable — if the board applies them consistently.
Many Florida condo and HOA documents restrict commercial vehicles, vehicles exceeding certain dimensions, or vehicles with visible company lettering or equipment. These restrictions are generally enforceable under Florida law — but the board must apply them consistently to all residents to avoid selective enforcement claims.
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First — Check Your Documents
- Review your Declaration and Rules & Regulations for vehicle restrictions
- Note the exact definition used — some restrict by size, some by commercial use, some by visible markings
- Check if there are any grandfather provisions for existing residents
- Confirm whether the restriction applies to all parking areas or only certain ones
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How to Report It
- Photograph the vehicle clearly showing the feature that violates the rule — size, commercial markings, equipment
- Note the space or area where it is parked
- Submit written complaint to board or management with photos
- Reference the specific document provision being violated
- Ask for written confirmation of what action will be taken
This is general legal information, not legal advice. Vehicle restriction enforcement can be complicated by selective enforcement history. If the board has allowed similar vehicles previously, they may need to formally update their enforcement policy before acting.
🏠 Resident / Owner
Florida Statute § 715.07
Florida law has strict requirements for towing from private property — and violations of those requirements give you rights.
Florida Statute § 715.07 governs towing from private property. Before a vehicle can be towed, the property must have proper signage posted at all entrances, the tow must be authorized by the property owner or association, and the towing company must notify local law enforcement within 30 minutes of the tow. Violations of these requirements may entitle you to recover your vehicle at no charge or seek damages.
Read Florida Statute § 715.07 →
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What Florida Law Requires Before Towing
- Proper towing warning signs posted at all entrances — specific size and language requirements
- Written authorization from property owner or association
- Towing company must notify local law enforcement within 30 minutes
- Vehicle must be stored at an accessible location
- You must be notified of where your vehicle is held
- Storage fees are regulated — cannot exceed statutory limits
If Any Requirement Was Violated
- You may be entitled to recover your vehicle without paying towing or storage fees
- Document everything — photograph signs (or their absence), get the tow ticket number
- Contact the towing company and ask for the authorization documentation
- File a complaint with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- For wrongful tows, you may have a small claims court action — consult an attorney
This is general legal information, not legal advice. Towing disputes involving significant costs are worth a consultation with a Florida attorney. Many handle towing dispute cases on contingency.
🏠 Resident / Owner
Florida Statute § 718.113(9) · § 720.304(9)
Florida law gives residents the right to install EV charging in certain circumstances — even over HOA objection.
Florida enacted specific EV charging rights for condo and HOA residents. Under § 718.113(9) for condominiums and § 720.304(9) for HOAs, unit owners have the right to install electric vehicle charging stations in their designated parking spaces, subject to reasonable association approval requirements. The association cannot simply prohibit EV charging outright.
Read Florida Statute § 718.113(9) →
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Your Rights Under Florida Law
- Right to install EV charger in your designated parking space
- Association must approve reasonable installation requests
- Association can require you to use a licensed electrician
- Association can require you to carry additional insurance
- Association can require you to pay for installation and electricity costs
- Association cannot prohibit EV charging entirely in designated spaces
What the HOA Can Still Require
- Board approval before installation begins
- Licensed and insured electrician for all work
- Specific charger types or installation standards
- You bear all costs — installation, electricity, maintenance
- You carry liability insurance for the charger
- Removal at your cost if you sell or move
If your HOA has denied your EV charging request outright — without offering any path to approval — they may be in violation of Florida law. Submit a written request citing § 718.113(9) or § 720.304(9) and request a written response from the board.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. EV charging rights in condos and HOAs involve both state law and your specific governing documents. Consult a Florida HOA attorney if your request is denied without basis.
🏠 Resident / Owner
Florida Statute § 718.303 · § 720.305
Guest parking privileges are governed by your association's documents — and guest stays may have limits too.
Most Florida HOA and condo documents address guest parking separately from resident parking. Extended guest stays — common in Florida's snowbird communities — often trigger both guest parking rules and guest occupancy rules simultaneously. Your governing documents control both, and the association can enforce both through its normal violation process.
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What You Should Check First
- Your governing documents' definition of a "guest" versus an "occupant"
- Maximum guest stay duration — many Florida condos limit guests to 30-90 days per year
- Whether guest vehicles may use your assigned space
- Whether guests may use resident parking at all — or are limited to guest spaces
- Whether long-term guests must be registered with management
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Common Snowbird Parking Conflicts
- Guest vehicle permanently occupying a guest space for months
- Owner lending their assigned space to a guest while absent
- Guest vehicle not registered with management as required
- Guest vehicle type violating community vehicle rules
- Multiple guest vehicles competing for limited guest spaces
In Pinellas County specifically — given the high concentration of seasonal communities — parking rules around snowbird guests are among the most frequently enforced. Know your documents before your guests arrive to avoid a violation notice.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. Guest parking rules vary significantly by community. Review your specific Declaration and Rules & Regulations.
📋 Board Member
Florida Statute § 718.303 · § 720.305 · § 715.07
The board has broad parking enforcement authority — but must apply rules consistently.
Florida associations have strong authority to enforce parking rules — including towing authorization, fines through the proper fining committee process, and restriction of repeat offenders' guest privileges. The critical vulnerability is selective enforcement — applying rules against some residents but not others. Consistency is both a legal requirement and your best protection.
Building an Enforceable Parking Program
1
Make sure your signage is legally compliant. Florida § 715.07 requires specific towing warning signs at all entrances before you can authorize towing. If your signs don't meet the statutory requirements, towing can be challenged and reversed. Have your signs reviewed.
2
Establish a written parking enforcement policy. Document how violations are identified, noticed, and escalated. Consistent written procedures protect the board from selective enforcement claims.
3
Use the full violation and fining process. Issue written violation notices, give opportunity to cure, and use the fining committee for fines. Don't skip steps even for repeat offenders.
4
For serious or repeat violations — towing is an option. With proper signage and board authorization, the association can have vehicles towed. Make sure your towing authorization process is documented and your towing company is reputable and Florida-compliant.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. Before implementing a towing program or significantly changing parking enforcement, consult your association attorney to ensure your signage, authorization procedures, and towing company comply with Florida § 715.07.
📋 Board Member
Selective enforcement warning: If the board has previously allowed oversized or commercial vehicles without action, you cannot suddenly enforce against one resident without addressing all similar violations. You must either enforce consistently going forward — after formal notice to all residents of the policy — or risk a selective enforcement defense that voids your action.
How to Enforce Vehicle Restrictions Correctly
1
Review your documents for the exact restriction language. Is it defined by vehicle type, size, commercial use, visible markings? The enforcement notice must cite the specific provision.
2
If enforcement has been lax — issue a community-wide notice first. Before enforcing against specific residents, send a notice to all residents reminding them of the vehicle restrictions and giving a reasonable compliance period (30-60 days). This resets the enforcement baseline.
3
Then enforce consistently against all violations. After the compliance period, issue violation notices to all non-compliant vehicles — not selectively. Document every notice issued.
4
Follow the full fining committee process. If violations continue after notice, proceed through the full violation and fining process — written notice, hearing opportunity, fining committee approval.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. Vehicle restriction enforcement is particularly vulnerable to selective enforcement challenges. Consult association counsel if you have a history of inconsistent enforcement in your community.
📋 Board Member
Florida Statute § 715.07
Florida towing law is specific and strictly enforced. Non-compliance can result in the association being liable for wrongful towing.
Before the association can authorize towing from any area of the property, Florida § 715.07 requires: proper warning signs at all entrances meeting specific size and content requirements, written authorization procedures, and the towing company must notify local law enforcement within 30 minutes of each tow. Failure to meet any requirement can result in the vehicle being returned at no charge and potential liability for the association.
Read Florida Statute § 715.07 →
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Towing Compliance Checklist
- Towing warning signs posted at ALL entrances — not just some
- Signs meet Florida § 715.07 size requirements (at least 17" x 22")
- Signs include the towing company name and phone number
- Signs include the storage location address
- Board has a documented written towing authorization process
- Towing company is reputable and Florida-licensed
- Towing company notifies local law enforcement within 30 minutes of each tow
- Records kept of every tow authorized by the association
What Creates Liability for the Association
- Missing or non-compliant signage at any entrance
- Towing without documented board authorization
- Using a towing company that fails to notify law enforcement
- Towing a vehicle that was not actually in violation
- Failing to keep records of towing authorizations
This is general legal information, not legal advice. Have your towing program reviewed by association counsel annually. Florida towing law is specific and changes in your property layout or signage can affect compliance.
📋 Board Member
Florida Statute § 718.113(9) · § 720.304(9)
Florida law restricts the board's ability to deny EV charging requests in designated parking spaces.
Since 2021, Florida law has given condo unit owners and HOA members the right to install EV charging stations in their designated parking spaces. The association can impose reasonable conditions — licensed electricians, insurance requirements, cost allocation — but cannot prohibit EV charging outright in designated spaces.
Read Florida Statute § 718.113(9) →
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What the Board Can Require
- Written application and board approval before installation
- Licensed and insured electrician for all work
- Specific approved charger types or installation standards
- Owner bears all costs — installation, electricity, maintenance
- Owner carries additional liability insurance
- Removal at owner's cost upon sale or departure
- Compliance with all applicable building codes and permits
What the Board Cannot Do
- Deny all EV charging requests outright
- Impose unreasonable conditions designed to prevent installation
- Charge excessive application fees
- Unreasonably delay responding to requests
- Prohibit EV charging in a resident's designated parking space
This is general legal information, not legal advice. Develop a written EV charging request policy and have it reviewed by association counsel before any requests are received — it is much easier to have a policy in place than to create one reactively.
📋 Board Member
Pinellas County context: With one of the highest concentrations of seasonal communities in Florida, snowbird parking conflicts are especially common here. A clear, consistently applied guest parking policy is essential — and must be in writing before you can enforce it.
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Building a Fair Snowbird Parking Policy
- Define maximum guest vehicle stay duration clearly in writing
- Require guest vehicle registration with management — make it easy to comply
- Define which parking areas guests may use — guest spaces only, or resident spaces too?
- Address the scenario where an owner lends their space while away — is this allowed?
- Set a clear enforcement process that applies equally to all residents
- Communicate the policy to all residents in writing at the start of each season
Common Enforcement Pitfalls
- Enforcing against some snowbird situations but not others — selective enforcement
- Enforcing a policy that was never formally adopted and distributed to residents
- Failing to give proper notice before issuing violations
- Not accounting for ADA or accessibility requirements in parking enforcement
This is general legal information, not legal advice. Guest parking policies should be formally adopted by the board and distributed to all residents before enforcement begins. Consult association counsel if your current documents don't adequately address seasonal guest parking.