Land — Southeast — FL
Water rights, rainwater law, cottage food rules, right-to-farm protections, livestock zoning, and growing conditions for Florida landowners and buyers.
Land law varies by county, municipality, and HOA. Verify all information with your county planning department, state water agency, and a licensed attorney before any land purchase or development decision.
Water law
State permit system through five Water Management Districts. Reasonable-beneficial use standard. All water owned by state; significant use requires a Water Use Permit.
Legal and strongly encouraged. Florida explicitly permits residential rainwater harvesting. Many counties offer rebates.
Land use and production law
Florida Cottage Food Law (F.S. §500.80): no gross sales cap; direct consumer, farmers markets, and internet/phone orders allowed; label required. Verify with FDACS.
Florida Right to Farm Act (F.S. §823.14) is broadly written and frequently cited.
Highly variable. Agricultural zones permissive; residential zones in urbanized counties restrict significantly.
Growing conditions
Hardiness zones
8a (Panhandle north) – 11a (Miami/Keys)
Last frost
Feb 15 (Panhandle) – essentially frost-free south of Tampa
First frost
Nov 15 (Panhandle) – essentially frost-free south of Tampa
Free soil testing
UF/IFAS Extension — click to visit
Soil notes
Sandy Entisols dominate — extremely well-drained, low in organic matter, and low in nutrients. Require constant fertilization and irrigation. Most FL soils are acidic (pH 5.0–6.0).