SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-55

No. HB 929

Local Government Regulation of Chickees
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SPONSOR
Cobb; Gentry
FILED BY
Nan Cobb — District 26, Republican [search donations]
Richard Gentry — District 27, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026

Filed under Local Government.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Local Government Regulation of Chickees; Prohibits counties & municipalities, respectively, from enacting ordinance, regulation, or policy that prevents chickee from being constructed by certain persons in specified locations; prohibits counties & municipalities from enacting ordinance, regulation, or policy concerning chickees that is more restrictive than certain federal regulations; provides penalty for certain persons who construct chickees in attempt to assert exemption from Florida Building Code; exempts certain chickees from Florida Fire Prevention Code.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Bars local governments from blocking tribal chickee construction.

Counties and municipalities may not enact ordinances, regulations, or policies that prevent members of the Miccosukee or Seminole Tribes from constructing chickees in side yards or near other structures, provided the chickee is at least 10 feet from property lines or other structures.

Local governments may not enact ordinances, regulations, or policies concerning chickees that are more restrictive than federal floodplain management regulations.

A person who is not a member of the Miccosukee or Seminole Tribes and who constructs a chickee in an attempt to assert an exemption from the Florida Building Code commits a first-degree misdemeanor.

Chickees are exempt from the Florida Fire Prevention Code if they are at least 20 feet from another structure subject to the Florida Building Code or otherwise implement fire-proofing measures approved by a certified fire protection system contractor.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Local Zoning Preemption majors. 125.489(1)

AICounties and municipalities are prohibited from enacting ordinances, regulations, or policies that prevent members of the Miccosukee or Seminole Tribes from constructing chickees in side yards or near other structures, provided the chickee is at least 10 feet from property lines or other structures.

“A county may not enact an ordinance, regulation, or policy that prevents or has the effect of preventing a person who is a member of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida or” bill text, line 25 →
§ 2 Floodplain Regulation Preemption majors. 125.489(2)

AICounties and municipalities are prohibited from enacting ordinances, regulations, or policies concerning chickees that are more restrictive than federal floodplain management regulations.

“A county may not enact an ordinance, regulation, or policy concerning chickees that is more restrictive than federal floodplain management regulations.” bill text, line 34 →
§ 3 Building Code Exemption Expansion majors. 553.73(10)(i)

AIChickees constructed by the Miccosukee or Seminole Tribes are exempt from the Florida Building Code, and the definition of chickee is expanded to allow wooden decks and electrical or plumbing features if a building permit is obtained.

“Chickees constructed by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida or the Seminole Tribe of Florida. As used in this paragraph, the term "chickee" means an open-sided wooden hut” bill text, line 60 →
§ 4 Criminal Penalty for Non-Tribal Construction majors. 553.73(10)(i)

AIA person who is not a member of the Miccosukee or Seminole Tribes and who constructs a chickee in an attempt to assert an exemption from the Florida Building Code commits a first-degree misdemeanor.

“A person who is not a member of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida or the Seminole Tribe of Florida and who constructs a chickee in an attempt to assert an exemption from” bill text, line 74 →
§ 5 Fire Code Exemption majors. 633.202(22)

AIChickees are exempt from the Florida Fire Prevention Code if they are at least 20 feet from another structure subject to the Florida Building Code or if they implement fire-proofing measures approved by a certified fire protection system contractor.

“a chickee is exempt from the Florida Fire Prevention Code, including the national fire codes and other national codes incorporated by reference, if: 1. The chickee is at least 20” bill text, line 105 →
TIMELINE
4/30/2026
Chapter No. 2026-55
4/29/2026
Approved by Governor
4/21/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/12/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/12/2026
In Messages
3/12/2026
Passed; YEAS 39 NAYS 0 -SJ 843
3/12/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 843
3/12/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 843
3/11/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/12/26 -SJ 780
3/11/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/11/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 780
3/4/2026
Received
3/4/2026
Referred to Rules
3/4/2026
In Messages
3/4/2026
Passed; YEAS 112, NAYS 0
3/4/2026
Read 3rd time
3/4/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
3/4/2026
Read 2nd time
2/26/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/4/2026)
2/10/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/10/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
2/10/2026
Reported out of Commerce Committee
2/10/2026
Favorable by Commerce Committee
2/6/2026
Added to Commerce Committee agenda
2/5/2026
Now in Commerce Committee
2/5/2026
Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
2/5/2026
Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
2/3/2026
Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
1/21/2026
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/21/2026
Reported out of Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
1/20/2026
Favorable by Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Added to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/12/2026
Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
1/12/2026
Referred to Commerce Committee
1/12/2026
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/12/2026
Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
12/29/2025
Filed
32 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 125.489
+110 / −0
s. 166.04845
+110 / −0
s. 553.73
+101 / −1
s. 633.202
+80 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES