Fla. Stat. § 760.20 et seq. § 760.22
Definitions.
Operative Text
As used in ss. 760.20-760.37, the term: (1) “Commission” means the Florida Commission on Human Relations. (2) “Covered multifamily dwelling” means: (a) A building which consists of four or more units and has an elevator; or (b) The ground floor units of a building which consists of four or more units and does not have an elevator. (3) “Disability” means: (a) A person has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, or he or she has a record of having, or is regarded as having, such physical or mental impairment; or (b) A person has a developmental disability as defined in s. 393.063. (4) “Discriminatory housing practice” means an act that is unlawful under the terms of ss. 760.20-760.37. (5) “Dwelling” means any building or structure, or portion thereof, which is occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as, a residence by one or more families, and any vacant land which is offered for sale or lease for the construction or location on the land of any such building or structure, or portion thereof. (6) “Familial status” is established when an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years is domiciled with: (a) A parent or other person having legal custody of such individual; or (b) A designee of a parent or other person having legal custody, with the written permission of such parent or other person. (7) “Family” includes a single individual. (8) “Person” includes one or more individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, labor organizations, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint-stock companies, trusts, unincorporated organizations, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers, fiduciaries, agencies, governmental entities, and other legal or commercial entities. (9) “Substantially equivalent” means an administrative subdivision of the State of Florida meeting the requirements of 24 C.F.R. part 115, s. 115.6. (10) “To rent” includes to lease, to sublease, to let, and otherwise to grant for a consideration the right to occupy premises not owned by the occupant.
Florida Statute § 760.22 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Florida's Fair Housing Act (ss. 760.20–760.37). It defines key terms such as 'dwelling,' 'disability,' 'familial status,' and 'discriminatory housing practice,' setting the scope of who and what is protected under the law. For example, 'covered multifamily dwellings' include elevator buildings with four or more units and ground-floor units of non-elevator buildings with four or more units, while 'familial status' protections extend to households where a minor child lives with a parent or legal guardian. These definitions determine how the rest of the Fair Housing provisions are interpreted and applied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Florida's Fair Housing Act should be familiar with the definitions in § 760.22, as these terms set the boundaries of their legal obligations throughout ss. 760.20–760.37. Operators of covered multifamily dwellings—elevator buildings with four or more units, or ground-floor units in comparable non-elevator buildings—are subject to specific accessibility and non-discrimination requirements that flow from this definitional framework. Compliant operators generally apply the broad definitions of 'disability,' 'familial status,' and 'dwelling' consistently across their rental and sales practices, recognizing that 'to rent' under § 760.22 encompasses leasing, subleasing, and any other consideration-based grant of occupancy rights.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Florida Statute § 760.22 defines the terms that underpin the fair housing protections available to residents and prospective residents under ss. 760.20–760.37. The broad definitions of 'disability' and 'familial status' mean that a wide range of individuals—including those with physical or mental impairments, those regarded as having such impairments, and households with minor children—may be covered by these protections. Tenants who believe they have experienced a 'discriminatory housing practice' as defined in § 760.22 can explore options such as filing a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations or consulting a tenant-rights organization to understand which enforcement paths may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 29, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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