Wakulla County Residents: Florida’s New Laws Could Mean More Growth, Less Local Control, Here’s What You Need to Know and Who to Contact

Hey Wakulla neighbors, if you are frustrated with rapid development, rising costs, traffic, and the sense that local voices are being pushed aside, you are not imagining it. Several bills moving through the Florida Legislature right now would make it easier for large developers to build more, build denser, and build faster, while reducing the tools counties like ours use to manage growth and protect our rural character, springs, and quality of life.

These are not small adjustments. They are state-level overrides that reshape housing, zoning, taxes, and land use across Florida, including right here at home.

Below is the plain‑English breakdown of the bills that affect Wakulla the most.

Live Local Act Changes (HB 1389)

What it does:

• Counties lose the ability to opt out of tax breaks for “missing middle” housing such as townhomes, duplexes, and small apartments.

• By the end of 2026, Wakulla must allow accessory dwelling units, including backyard rentals and in‑law suites, in single‑family neighborhoods.

• More properties, including county land and church land, can be pushed into multifamily development.

Bottom line:
Less local control over density, more units built quickly, and more pressure on roads, schools, water, and septic‑to‑sewer systems.

Blue Ribbon Projects (HB 299)

What it does:

• Mega‑developments on 15,000 acres or more receive special fast‑track treatment.

• Developers must conserve 60 percent of the land and include some affordable housing, but the state presumes the project fits our comprehensive plan unless the county can prove otherwise in detail.

Bottom line:
Wakulla has large rural tracts that could qualify. If a landowner proposes a massive planned community, it becomes much harder for the county to stop it. This shifts power toward developers and away from local decision‑making.

Compatibility Rules, Harder to Block “Bad Fit” Projects (SB 208 and HB 399)

What it does:

• Counties cannot deny projects simply because they do not match the surrounding neighborhood.

• Denials must be based on specific, provable impacts such as traffic, water capacity, or infrastructure limits.

• Manufactured homes must be treated the same as site‑built homes in zoning.

Bottom line:
It becomes much harder to protect quiet rural areas or low‑density neighborhoods from out‑of‑place development. Wakulla’s small‑town, springs‑focused character becomes more difficult to defend.

🌤️ A Few Small Silver Linings

• More stable state sales‑tax revenue for fiscally constrained counties, and Wakulla may qualify.

• No permit needed for home repairs under $7,500, excluding plumbing and electrical work.

• More searchable online budgets for transparency.

Overall Impact on Wakulla

These bills collectively push more development, faster approvals, less local veto power, and tighter county budgets. If you want Wakulla to remain rural, slow‑paced, and springs‑protected, this legislative session is moving in the opposite direction.

📣 What You Can Do Right Now

Contact your state legislators. Tell them you are a Wakulla resident concerned about losing local control over growth, density, and quality of life. Mention specific bills such as HB 1389, HB 299, and SB 208.

A short, polite message works best:

“I am a Wakulla resident. Please oppose bills that take away local control over housing density and growth. Wakulla needs the ability to protect our rural character and springs.”

📞 Your Wakulla Delegation

🏛️ State Senator Corey Simon (R), District 3

Email: simon.corey.web@flsenate.gov
Phone: (850) 487‑5003
Fax: (850) 487‑5086
Address: 303 Senate Building, 404 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Website: flsenate.gov/Senators/s3

🏛️ State Representative Jason Shoaf (R), District 7

Email: jason.shoaf@flhouse.gov
Phone: (850) 717‑5007
District Office: (850) 295‑5680
Address: 222 The Capitol, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Website: flhouse.gov

🔥 Session is moving quickly, and your voice matters. Stay engaged, stay vocal, and stay fired up, Wakulla.