Florida law, read from the statutes
Is it legal in Florida?
Clear answers to the Florida laws people search for most, from weed and window tint to guns, boating and new laws for 2026. Every guide cites the Florida Statutes section it relies on and shows the day it was last checked.
Trending in Florida
60%
Votes needed to amend the Florida Constitution. Recreational marijuana got about 56% in 2024 and failed.
July 1
The start date most new Florida laws set, with many others starting October 1.
28%
The minimum light front side windows must let through under Fla. Stat. § 316.2953.
1968
Florida stopped recognizing new common-law marriages after January 1, 1968, under Fla. Stat. § 741.211.
Browse by topic
Florida laws by topic
Nine areas of Florida law. Each guide opens with a short answer, then the statute, the exceptions and the penalties.
01
Cannabis, THC & Substances
Medical marijuana cards, why recreational weed is still illegal, delta-8, THCA, kratom and alcohol.
02
Driving & Vehicles
Tint limits, the new license plate cover law, super speeders, car seats, no-fault PIP and the lemon law.
03
Everyday Life & Your Rights
Evictions and squatters, boating rules, the Halo law, pets, fireworks, recording calls and HOAs.
04
Guns & Weapons
Permitless carry, open carry after 2025, stand your ground, knives, FRT triggers and pepper spray.
05
Marriage, Family & Relationships
Common-law marriage, divorce, custody, the age of consent and the Romeo and Juliet law.
06
Gambling & Betting
Hard Rock Bet and the Seminole compact, DraftKings, PrizePicks, Kalshi and online casinos.
07
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The six-week law, its exceptions, abortion pills and what the 2024 Amendment 4 vote changed.
Just published
Latest Florida law guides
Common questions
What is the law in Florida?
Quick answers about how Florida law works and how to tell whether something is legal or illegal in Florida.
Is weed legal in Florida?
No for recreational use. Adults with a qualifying condition and a state medical marijuana card can buy from licensed treatment centers. Possessing 20 grams or less without a card is a first-degree misdemeanor under Fla. Stat. § 893.13.
Is sports betting legal in Florida?
Only through the Seminole Tribe, which runs Hard Rock Bet under its gaming compact with the state. DraftKings and FanDuel sportsbooks are not licensed in Florida.
Can you carry a gun in Florida without a permit?
Yes. Since July 1, 2023, adults 21 and over who can legally own a gun may carry a concealed handgun without a license. A 2025 appeals court ruling also changed the rules on open carry.
What are the laws in Florida?
Florida law is made up of the Florida Constitution, the Florida Statutes passed by the Legislature, rules adopted by state agencies in the Florida Administrative Code, and county and city ordinances. Federal law applies on top of all of it.
Is it legal in Florida? How do I check?
Find the chapter of the Florida Statutes that covers the activity, such as chapter 316 for traffic, chapter 790 for weapons or chapter 893 for drugs. Then check agency rules and local ordinances. Our guides do this for you and cite the exact section.
When do new Florida laws take effect?
Each bill sets its own effective date. Most take effect on July 1, many on October 1, and some immediately when the governor signs them. We track each year’s changes, and their start dates, in Florida Legal News.
Can Florida voters change the law directly?
Yes, through constitutional amendments on the ballot. Since 2006, an amendment needs at least 60% of the vote to pass, which is why the 2024 recreational marijuana and abortion measures failed even with majority support.
Do Florida cities and counties have their own laws?
Yes. Local ordinances can add rules on things like fireworks, fertilizer, noise and short-term rentals, but they cannot conflict with state law, and the Legislature has preempted many areas, including firearms.
Florida state laws, explained in plain English
Legal in Fla is a guide to Florida law for residents, new arrivals and visitors who want a straight answer before they act. Under Florida law, small details decide the outcome: the window you tint, the amount you carry, the waterway you boat on, the county you live in. Each guide sorts those details out, cites the Florida Statutes section that controls them, and shows when it was last checked.
Our list of Florida laws you should know covers the questions people ask most, from Florida gun laws and the Florida lemon law to boating rules, evictions, the license plate cover law and the many things that are legal in Florida but not in other states. For Florida laws in 2026, our news section tracks every major new law by bill number and effective date.
Florida law changes every year. The Legislature meets each spring, voters amend the constitution, and courts reshape the rules, as the 2025 open carry ruling did. That is why every guide is dated and corrected in public. See how we check the law.
Spotted a Florida law that changed?
Tell us and we will check it against the statute. Corrections are made in public, with a dated note on the guide.