Collier County Faces Florida-Wide HOA Ban Proposal — What Homeowners Need to Know

A Statewide Shake-Up in the Works

Florida lawmakers are preparing for a debate that could reshape communities across the state: whether to abolish homeowners associations altogether. The idea, advanced by State Representative Juan Carlos Porras of Miami, would amount to one of the most sweeping changes to residential governance in recent history. For Collier County, home to more than 350 associations, the implications are particularly significant.

How HOAs Currently Operate

The proposal targets the long-standing system in which HOAs set rules, enforce community standards, and collect fees. Porras has argued that associations operate with too little accountability, often frustrating residents with rising assessments and strict regulations. While many homeowners view HOAs as essential to maintaining order and preserving property values, others see them as costly, restrictive, and overly bureaucratic.

Past Reforms Weren’t Enough

This is not Florida’s first attempt to rein in associations. In July 2024, the state enacted broad reforms aimed at improving transparency and fairness. These new laws required training for board members, capped penalties for minor infractions such as trash can placement or holiday lights, and strengthened financial oversight. Supporters of the reforms viewed them as a first step toward balancing homeowner rights with association authority. But for critics who believe the system itself is flawed, incremental fixes have not gone far enough.

Collier County as a Case Study

Collier County offers a telling case study. Associations here range from modestly priced communities charging less than $100 annually to luxury enclaves where annual fees stretch into the tens of thousands. Many buyers, particularly in master-planned or gated neighborhoods, see those fees as a worthwhile trade-off for uniform landscaping, amenities, and stable property values. Others view them as an unnecessary burden that makes housing less affordable and strips owners of autonomy over their own property.

What a Ban Could Mean Locally

If Florida were to eliminate HOAs, the immediate effects would likely vary dramatically depending on the type of community. In some neighborhoods, residents could see costs fall sharply without association dues or assessments. At the same time, responsibility for maintaining common areas, enforcing standards, and coordinating repairs would shift entirely to homeowners, potentially creating disputes and inconsistencies. Property values, often propped up by the order and predictability that HOAs provide, could be vulnerable in some areas while opening new opportunities in others.

Impact on Real Estate

For the real estate market, the debate has particular weight. Agents in Collier County regularly encounter buyers who specifically seek HOA-governed neighborhoods because they want assurances about maintenance, design uniformity, and community amenities. Removing associations would change how those neighborhoods are marketed, possibly weakening one of the county’s strongest selling points. Yet other buyers—especially younger families and budget-minded newcomers—might be drawn to the idea of fewer fees and more freedom.

Political Road Ahead

The political road ahead remains uncertain. The legislature convenes its 2026 session on January 13, which is the earliest Porras’s proposal could advance. Even if filed, the bill would face steep hurdles, given the influence of developers, real estate groups, and homeowners who still favor associations. The broader conversation, however, is unlikely to fade. Florida has more than 9.5 million residents living in HOA-controlled communities, making it one of the most heavily governed states in the country by association rules.

What’s Next for Collier County

For Collier County homeowners, the months ahead are a waiting game. Those who see HOAs as a stabilizing force will likely push back against efforts to dismantle them. Others, long frustrated by fees and fines, may see the prospect of a ban as overdue relief. Regardless of the outcome, the discussion highlights how deeply the HOA model is embedded in Florida life—and how divisive it has become.

If lawmakers pursue a ban in 2026, Collier County will find itself at the center of a statewide experiment with unpredictable consequences. Whether the change would usher in more freedom or more friction remains one of the biggest questions looming over Florida neighborhoods today.