Assessments Levied on Recreational Vehicle Parks:
SB 530 would change how Florida counties, municipalities, and special districts may impose non-ad valorem special assessments on recreational vehicle parks regulated under chapter 513. The bill directs local governments to treat RV parks as commercial properties, in the same manner as hotels, motels, or similar facilities, rather than as residential units when calculating these assessments.
The bill also prohibits assessments from being levied against the portion of an RV parking space or campsite that exceeds the maximum square footage of a recreational vehicle-type unit under state law, regardless of the size of the space or campsite. In addition, local governments would be required to consider RV park occupancy rates to help ensure assessments are fairly and reasonably apportioned among the parks that receive the special benefit. The changes would first apply to the 2025 property tax roll and take effect upon becoming law.
SB 530 would amend sections 125.0168, 166.223, and 189.052 of the Florida Statutes to limit the assessment base for RV parks and require a commercial, rather than residential, classification for special assessment purposes. It would affect county governments, municipalities, and independent or dependent special districts that levy non-ad valorem special assessments on chapter 513 recreational vehicle parks, and it would likely reduce or narrow assessment liability for some RV park owners and operators.
The bill appears to have been generally favorable to RV park owners and operators, as reflected by its effort to restrict how local governments calculate special assessments and to prevent treatment of RV parks as residential developments. However, the bill did not advance out of the Senate Community Affairs Committee and died there on June 16, 2025, indicating that support was insufficient for passage despite the policy rationale.
The main point of contention is likely the fairness and scope of local special assessments. Supporters would view the bill as preventing overassessment of RV parks and aligning them with comparable commercial lodging uses, while opponents may have been concerned that the measure would limit local government revenue or interfere with how assessments are allocated for public improvements and services. The requirement to consider occupancy rates and exclude portions of campsites beyond the size of a recreational vehicle-type unit suggests a dispute over how much of an RV park should be subject to assessment and whether local governments should have discretion in apportioning costs.