FL H0665

Creates s. 177.073, F.S., requiring counties with 75,000+ residents and municipalities with 25+ acres of contiguous agricultural or residential-designated land to establish a program by October 1, 2024, to issue residential building permits before a final plat is recorded, initially covering up to 50% of planned homes, increasing to 75% by December 31, 2027.

Requires governing bodies to create a two-step preliminary plat application process and a master building permit process valid for 3 consecutive years or until adoption of a new Florida Building Code, whichever is earlier.

Applicants must hold a valid performance bond for up to 130% of incomplete necessary improvements, provide approved plans to relevant utilities, and may not transfer ownership or obtain a certificate of occupancy until the final plat is approved and recorded.

Establishes vested rights for applicants in approved preliminary plats when they rely in good faith and commence construction, prohibiting governing bodies from making substantive changes without written consent.

Requires applicants to indemnify and hold harmless local governments from liability arising from building permits or construction completed before final plat recordation, including damages from wind, fire, flood, construction defects, and bodily injury, but not from governmental actions that infringe on vested rights.