Florida county rules

Leon County, Florida landlord rules

What changes, and what doesn't, when your rental is in Leon County (Tallahassee). Most rules come from Florida state law. See the Florida page first.

Beginner tip: start with the Florida state rules. A county only adds a few local extras.

General info, not legal advice. Verify the statute or ask a local attorney. Details

Florida state baseline

Florida's statewide landlord-tenant law (Fla. Stat. ch. 83, Part II) is the main rulebook in Leon County. Start with our Florida page, then use this page only for local extras.
Florida state rules →

Source: Fla. Stat. ch. 83, Part II · Checked 2026-10-30

HB 1417 preemption (2023)

Since July 1, 2023, the State of Florida alone regulates residential tenancies and the landlord-tenant relationship. Any county or city rule on screening, security deposits, applications and application fees, lease terms, landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities, disclosures, landlord fees, or notice requirements is superseded. The same law raised the month-to-month termination notice from 15 to 30 days.

Source: Fla. Stat. §§ 83.425, 83.57; Ch. 2023-314, Laws of Fla. · Checked 2026-10-30

Who's protected everywhere in Florida

Federal law and the Florida Fair Housing Act already ban housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, familial status and religion.

Source: Fla. Stat. § 760.23 · Checked 2026-10-30

Local tenant ordinance (after 2023 preemption)

Check with your county. We haven't confirmed this local rule from the official code yet, so we don't state it here. Rules can differ by city too. Leon County official site → · Florida local codes (Municode) →

Rental registration, licensing and inspections

Local fair-housing protected classes

Short-term rental rules

Cities and towns in Leon County

Tallahassee is the only incorporated city in Leon County. Rentals outside city limits fall under the county. A city can have its own codes, so check both the city and the county.

Source: Florida Dept. of State: cities within counties · Checked 2026-10-30

Security deposits

The state rules apply. Fla. Stat. § 83.49 sets no maximum deposit. Hold the money in a separate Florida bank account (interest-bearing or not) or post a surety bond with the circuit court clerk. When the tenancy ends, return the deposit within 15 days if you aren't making a claim. If you are, send written notice of the claim within 30 days, by certified mail or by email under § 83.505. Local deposit rules are preempted by § 83.425.

Source: Fla. Stat. §§ 83.49(1), 83.49(3)(a), 83.425 · Checked 2026-10-30

Eviction process

Florida's statewide process applies. For unpaid rent, deliver a written 3-day notice (not counting Saturdays, Sundays and court-observed legal holidays). If the tenant doesn't pay or move out, the landlord files a complaint for possession in the county court of the county where the rental is. Landlords can't lock a tenant out or cut off utilities themselves (self-help eviction). Leon County evictions are filed with the Clerk of Court in Tallahassee. The Clerk's Residential Eviction Process page has the blank complaint, summons, default and writ forms, and the Clerk's Help Center is at 301 South Monroe Street.
Official site →

Source: Fla. Stat. §§ 83.56(3), 83.59(2), 83.67 · Leon County Clerk: Residential eviction process · Checked 2026-10-30

Housing authority

The Tallahassee Housing Authority runs the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program in Tallahassee. Its voucher waiting list was closed when we checked on Oct 30, 2026.

Source: Tallahassee Housing Authority: HCV program · Checked 2026-10-30

Related tools and pages

Florida landlord-tenant law · Florida lease agreement · Late fee calculator · Rent increase calculator · Security deposit kit · Escambia County rules · Alachua County rules

Sources are official state, county and court sites. Federal rules also apply.

← Back to Florida landlord-tenant law

General information only. Not legal advice. RentToolkit is not a law firm. Laws and local ordinances change, so check the official source and talk to a licensed Florida attorney before acting.