Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed into law two measures aimed at strengthening property rights and improving transparency for consumers at Florida’s hotels and restaurants.

The first bill, Senate Bill 322, creates a new legal tool for commercial property owners to remove unauthorized occupants without going through the court system. Under the law, property owners or their agents may file a verified complaint with the county sheriff attesting that individuals are unlawfully occupying the premises without a lease or legal right to remain. If the sheriff confirms the information, they must serve notice on the occupants and, if necessary, use reasonable force to remove them from the property.

The law requires written documentation under penalty of perjury and applies only if there is no existing litigation between the parties. Sheriffs are authorized to charge standard eviction-related fees and a reasonable hourly rate if asked to stand by while the owner regains control of the property.

The statute includes a cause of action for individuals who are wrongfully removed, allowing them to seek triple the fair market rent, damages, court costs, and attorney fees.

Criminal penalties for squatters are also expanded to include commercial properties, making it a second-degree felony to cause more than $1,000 in damage and a first-degree felony to fraudulently advertise or lease property without legal ownership.

“Florida doesn’t tolerate squatters; we stand with property owners,” said Gov. DeSantis on Monday. “Florida already has strong protections for homeowners, and the bills I signed today will ensure the same protections for business owners.”

The second bill, Senate Bill 606, updates statutes governing public lodging and food service establishments. It requires hotel and motel operators to provide written notice via text, email, or printed paper  before removing guests who fail to pay or check out on time.

he law clarifies that refusal to leave after such notice constitutes a second-degree misdemeanor and authorizes law enforcement to intervene. Operators must return any unused portion of prepayment and are required to secure any personal belongings left behind.

The legislation also modifies the legal definitions of transient and non-transient occupancy, reinforcing the presumption that stays in hotels, motels, and short-term rentals are temporary unless a written lease states otherwise.

Beginning July 1, 2026, restaurants, caterers, and other food service providers that apply automatic fees, defined in statute as “operations charges,” will be required to clearly disclose those charges on menus, written contracts, and digital platforms. Businesses must specify the amount or percentage of the charge and its purpose in a font size equal to or larger than the rest of the menu. Itemized receipts must list gratuities, operations charges, and taxes on separate lines. While the law does not create a private right of action for enforcement, it sets new statewide standards for fee disclosures across the hospitality industry.

Both laws take effect July 1, 2025.