SESSION WATCH
Superseded — its companion passed SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 1264

Private Schools
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SPONSOR
Calatayud
FILED BY
Alexis Calatayud — District 38, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
COMPANION
CS/CS/SB 182 — SB 1264 was set aside and its companion carried the policy

Filed under Education.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Private Schools; Requiring a private school that enrolls a certain number of students to be considered a permitted use for zoning purposes; providing that certain private schools may not be subject to additional building codes; requiring a fire official to use specified firesafety evaluation systems for existing private school facilities; providing that certain private schools are subject to specified fire code requirements, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Exempts small private schools from zoning and most building codes.

Private schools with 150 or fewer students can open in any non-residential zoning district without rezoning, special exceptions, or mitigation requirements.

These schools may operate in buildings meeting standard commercial occupancy codes, and local governments cannot impose additional health or safety rules on them.

Local fire officials must use NFPA 101A as a low-cost alternative to standard fire safety evaluation systems for existing school facilities.

Schools moving into existing commercial buildings must install sprinklers in large fire areas and below exit discharge levels, unless every classroom has a direct exterior exit.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Zoning exemption for small private schools majors. 1002.42(19)(d)

AIA private school enrolling 150 or fewer students is considered a permitted use in all zoning districts, except residential districts, without rezoning or obtaining a special exception or a land use change and without complying with any mitigation requirements, conditions, performance standards, ordinances, rules, codes, or policies.

“A private school enrolling 150 or fewer students is considered a permitted use in all zoning districts, except residential districts, within a county or a municipality without rez” bill text, line 21 →
§ 2 Building code cap for small private schools majors. 1002.42(19)(d)

AIA private school enrolling 150 or fewer students may operate in a facility that is subject to and complies with the same occupancy requirements as a class A-1, A-3, B, or M occupancy as defined by the Florida Building Code and may not be subjected to any additional state or local health, safety, or welfare laws, codes, or rules beyond those applicable to a class A-1, A-3, B, or M occupancy facility.

“A private school enrolling 150 or fewer students may operate in a facility that is subject to and complies with the same occupancy requirements as a class A-1, A-3, B, or M occu” bill text, line 28 →
§ 3 Mandatory use of NFPA 101A by fire officials moderates. 1002.42(19)(d)

AIThe local fire official shall use the firesafety evaluation systems found in NFPA 101A: Guide on Alternative Approaches to Life Safety for existing facilities as low cost, reasonable alternatives to firesafety evaluation system standards.

“The local fire official shall use the firesafety evaluation systems found in NFPA 101A: Guide on Alternative Approaches to Life Safety for existing facilities as low cost, reasona” bill text, line 35 →
§ 4 Fire code requirements for schools in existing buildings moderates. 1002.42(19)(d)

AIA private school enrolling 150 or fewer students opening inside, or moving operations to, an existing assembly, day care, mercantile, or business occupancy, as defined by the Florida Fire Prevention Code, must meet standards for existing educational occupancy requirements under chapter 15 of the Florida Fire Prevention Code for automatic sprinkler, detection, alarm, and communications systems and requirements for hazardous areas, except that an automatic sprinkler system must be provided for

“A private school enrolling 150 or fewer students opening inside, or moving operations to, an existing assembly, day care, mercantile, or business occupancy, as defined by the F” bill text, line 40 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Education Pre-K - 12, companion bill(s) passed, see...
2/10/2026
Now in Education Pre-K - 12
2/10/2026
Favorable by Community Affairs; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
2/5/2026
On Committee agenda-- Community Affairs, 02/10/26, 3:00 pm, 37...
1/13/2026
Introduced
1/12/2026
Referred to Community Affairs; Education Pre-K - 12; Rules
1/6/2026
Filed
1 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 1002.42
+318 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES