Naples Takes the Stand: Joins Class-Action Against New State Land-Use Restrictions

Council Splits 4–3 in Favor of Legal Pushback

In a tight 4-3 vote on September 3, the Naples City Council opted to join a statewide class-action lawsuit that challenges Senate Bill 180. The bill, signed into law on June 26, significantly curtails local governments’ ability to pass new, stricter land-use regulations—especially following hurricanes—over broad swathes of the state.

What Critics Say SB 180 Does—and Why It Matters

SB 180 blocks local governments from establishing land-use rules that are more restrictive within one year following certain hurricane tracks. It also allows private parties to legally challenge local ordinances through pre-suit filings, with losing municipalities facing up to $250,000 in legal fees.

For council members supporting the lawsuit, the law represents an overreach that undermines local home rule authority—one of the most significant clips to municipal power since Florida’s 1968 constitution. Opponents at the meeting suggested a legislative fix would be more effective than litigation.

Naples Joins a Growing Coalition

Naples is now part of a legal coalition with at least nine other local governments, including Manatee County, Orange County, Deltona, Windermere, Alachua, Delray Beach, Stuart, Edgewater, and Weston. The lawsuit is expected to be filed in mid-September.

Each municipality committing to the lawsuit pays an upfront flat fee of $10,000, with additional charges if the case proceeds to appeals or the state’s Supreme Court.

With its decision to join the class-action, Naples is staking a stand for local decision-making at a time when state law significantly narrows municipal authority. The showdown promises to define how much power remains in the hands of cities like ours—versus the state.