Florida Community Association Manager Citation Rule Takes Effect October 27, 2026

On October 7, 2026, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) filed an amendment to Rule 61-20.011 of the Florida Administrative Code with the Florida Department of State. The amendment adds a citation and fine for community association managers and management firms that fail to keep their online licensure accounts current. The change takes effect October 27, 2026.

What the Amended Citation Rule Adds

Rule 61-20.011 lists the violations for which DBPR may issue a citation, a written notice that assesses a set fine. Before the amendment, the list covered seven violations.

Those violations cover unlicensed or inactive practice, employing a manager whose license is inactive or delinquent, and failures to provide access to or maintain association records.

The amended rule adds an eighth violation in new paragraph (h). It covers failing to create, maintain, or timely update a manager's or firm's online licensure account within 30 days of any change required by section 468.432(3), Florida Statutes. The rule gives three examples:

• Failing to timely identify the management firm or firms for which services are provided

• Failing to timely identify each community association for which the manager is the designated onsite community association manager

• Failing to timely identify each community association manager that the firm employs

The fine is $250 for a first violation and $500 for a subsequent violation. The heading for the higher fine now reads "Subsequent Violations" instead of "Second Violation."

Subsection (2) still limits citations to the first two occurrences of the same violation. Fines for the original seven violations did not change.

The Statutory Basis in Sections 468.432 and 455.224

The Legislature added subsection (3) to section 468.432, Florida Statutes, in 2025 through chapter 2025-175, Laws of Florida. It requires every licensee to create and maintain an online licensure account with DBPR.

Each manager must list the management firm the manager works for and each association where the manager is the designated onsite manager. A firm must list the managers it employs to provide management services. Updates are due within 30 days after any change to the required information.

Section 455.224 directs DBPR to designate as citation violations only those that pose no substantial threat to public health, safety, and welfare. A citation must be issued within 6 months after the complaint is filed, and DBPR may recover its investigation costs in addition to the fine.

Implications for Managers, Management Firms and Associations

The amendment applies to licensed community association managers and licensed management firms. Section 468.431 defines community associations to cover residential associations tied to ownership of homes, lots, townhouses, condominiums, cooperatives, and similar units.

Under the statute, the 30 days for an update begin with a change in the firm a manager works for, in the associations where a manager is the designated onsite manager, or in the managers a firm employs.

Section 455.224 allows a licensee who receives a citation to dispute it and proceed under the formal complaint process in section 455.225 instead. A citation that is not disputed within 30 days after service becomes a final order and counts as discipline.

Once a citation becomes a final order, the rule makes the citation and complaint public records under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, unless an exemption applies. They may also be treated as aggravating circumstances in later disciplinary actions.

For association boards, section 468.432(3) also directs DBPR to give written notice to both the management firm and the community association when a manager's license is suspended or revoked.

Rulemaking History and Effective Date

DBPR published a notice of rule development on August 5, 2026, and the proposed rule on August 17, 2026, in the Florida Administrative Register. The comment period on the proposed rule ran through September 7, 2026.

DBPR determined that the rule would not have an adverse impact on small business or increase regulatory costs by more than $200,000 in the aggregate within one year. A statement of estimated regulatory costs was not prepared.

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Always consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice tailored to your circumstances.