Florida community association education. Reviewed November 4, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Start with an enforceable violation
Section 720.305 governs fines and suspensions for qualifying Florida homeowners associations. Before discussing an amount, identify the declaration provision, bylaw or reasonable rule allegedly violated. Retain dated observations and explain what conduct would correct the issue. A complaint from a neighbor is a lead to investigate, not a finding that the violation occurred.
The ordinary statutory limit is $100 per violation, with a $1,000 aggregate limit for a continuing violation, unless the governing documents provide otherwise. That governing-document qualification belongs to the HOA statute and should not be imported into condominium fine rules. A fine below $1,000 cannot become a lien under this section; the threshold does not automatically make every larger fine lienable.
Keep board and committee decisions separate
The board proposes the fine or suspension. Before imposition, the association must provide at least 14 days' written notice of hearing rights. The hearing must occur within 90 days after the notice. The notice must identify the alleged violation, the required cure when applicable, and the hearing date, place and electronic-access information where relevant.
The committee must have at least three eligible members and satisfy the statute's independence requirements. Officers, directors, employees and specified close family members cannot serve in those roles. The committee confirms or rejects the proposed sanction; it is not merely a witness to a decision already made. If its majority does not approve, the sanction cannot be imposed.
Within seven days after the hearing, the committee must provide the written findings and relevant cure, suspension or payment information. If the violation is cured before the hearing or as specified in the statutory notices, the fine or suspension may not be imposed. For an approved, uncured fine, the payment date must be at least 30 days after delivery of the findings notice.
Check restrictions before using a template
The statute protects certain garbage-container timing and provides specific treatment for holiday decorations. Suspension also cannot cut off protected access or utility services. Delinquency-based suspensions use different statutory procedures from violation-based hearings, so they need separate forms and analysis.
Attorney-fee timing and collection consequences require particular care. Do not automatically add legal charges to an owner's account before the statute permits them, or use an assessment-collection template for a disputed fine without review.
Board checklist
Confirm the legal authority and evidence; screen for prohibited sanctions; verify committee eligibility; send complete notices; calendar the hearing and findings deadlines; document any cure; and set a compliant payment date. Keep the owner ledger consistent with the final outcome. Have counsel review contested fines, suspension scope and proposed liens before escalation. A fair, documented process is a stronger enforcement tool than a larger charge supported by incomplete records.