25-2275 Amending City Code, Establishing Regulations and Procedures for Certified Recovery Residences ORDINANCE 25-2275
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LONGWOOD, FLORIDA, AMENDING PART III,
LONGWOOD DEVELOPMENT CODE, ARTICLE IX, TO CREATE SECTION 9.4.0, TO
ESTABLISH REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES FOR CERTIFIED RECOVERY
RESIDENCES, INCLUDING A PROCESS FOR REQUESTING REASONABLE
ACCOMMODATION AS REQUIRED BY CHAPTER 2025-182, LAWS OF FLORIDA;
PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR A REASONABLE
ACCOMMODATION PROCESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAW;
PROVIDING FOR APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS, REVIEW PROCEDURES, AND
DEADLINES; PROVIDING FOR REVOCATION AND REINSTATEMENT; PROVIDING
FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Florida adopted Chapter 2025-182, Laws of
Florida, effective July 1, 2025, amending §§397.487 and 397.4871, Florida Statutes, relating to
certified recovery residences; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 2025-182 requires all municipalities and counties to adopt ordinances
establishing a process for the review and approval of certified recovery residences no later than
January 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS,the City Commission of the City of Longwood recognizes that certified recovery
residences provide important housing opportunities for persons in recovery from substance use
disorders and are protected under the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and the Americans
with Disabilities Act; and
WHEREAS, the City of Longwood is committed to ensuring its land use and zoning
processes provide equal housing opportunities for individuals with disabilities while maintaining
compliance with state and federal law; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission finds that it is in the best interest of the public health,
safety, and welfare to establish clear, consistent procedures for processing requests for
reasonable accommodation by certified recovery residences as mandated by Chapter 2025-182,
Laws of Florida.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Commission of the City of Longwood, Florida,
that:
SECTION 1. Recitals. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by
this reference.
SECTION 2. Adoption. Part III, Longwood Development Code, Article IX, is hereby amended to
create Section 9.4.0.—Certified Recovery Residences, to read as follows:
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9.4.0.- Certified Recovery Residences.
A. Definitions. For purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have the meanings
set forth in §397.311, Florida Statutes, as amended:
1. Certified recovery residence—A recovery residence that holds a valid certificate of
compliance and is actively managed by a certified recovery residence administrator
as defined in Section 397.311, Florida Statutes, as amended, including Level I
through Level IV certified recovery residences.
2. Certificate of compliance—A certificate issued by a credentialing entity to a
recovery residence or administrator.
3. Certified recovery residence administrator—An administrator who holds a valid
certificate of compliance.
4. Reasonable accommodation—A waiver or modification of land use, zoning, or other
regulations to afford persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to use and enjoy
a dwelling, consistent with the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Americans
with Disabilities Act.
B. Applicability.
This Section applies to a certified recovery residence seeking a reasonable accommodation
from land use, zoning or land development code regulations within the City. This Section
shall not supersede any declaration of covenants, conditions, or restrictions of a
condominium, cooperative, or homeowners' association governed by Chapters 718, 719, or
720, Florida Statutes. Except for the seeking of a reasonable accommodation, the review
and approval of a certified recovery residence is governed by the City's standard review and
approval processes and compliance with applicable codes and ordinances.
C. Application for Reasonable Accommodation.
(i) Form of Application. Applications under this Section shall be filed with the Community
Development Department on a form provided by the City and shall include:
1. Applicant's name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address;
2. Address and parcel identification number of the subject property;
3. Identification of the specific regulation from which relief is sought; and
4. A description of the reasonable accommodation requested along with citations to
the applicable code or ordinance provisions at issue and the basis for requesting
such accommodation.
5. A copy of the applicable certificate of compliance pertaining to the applicant.
(ii) Processing.
1. The Community Development Department shall date-stamp all applications upon
receipt.
2. Within thirty (30) days of receipt, the City may request additional information in
writing. Applicants shall have at least thirty (30) days to respond.
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3. Within sixty (60) days of receipt of a completed application, the Community
Development Director shall issue a written determination approving, approving with
conditions, or denying the request based on evidence-based findings.
4. If no determination is issued within sixty (60) days of a completed application, and
no written extension has been agreed to, the request shall be deemed approved.
D. Review Criteria.
Decisions on a request for a reasonable accommodation under this Section shall be based
on making the minimum reasonable accommodation necessary to accomplish the purpose
of the request and meet the requirements of the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988,
the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Chapter 2025-182, Laws of Florida. Conditions may
be imposed on the reasonable accommodation, provided such conditions are consistent
with federal and state law.
E. Revocation and Reinstatement.
(a) Revocation. An accommodation granted under this Section may be revoked by the City if
the certified recovery residence: (i) loses its certificate of compliance under Florida law, or
(ii) closes or vacates the premises.
(b) Reinstatement. If the certificate of compliance is reinstated within one hundred eighty
(180) days of revocation, the accommodation may be reinstated administratively by the City
Manager.
(c) Appeal. Any certified recovery residence who is adversely affected by a decision made
concerning a request for a reasonable accommodation or revocation of accommodation
shall have the right to appeal such decision to the City Commission by filing a notice of
appeal with the City Clerk within ten (10) days of the applicable decision along with stating
the specific basis of the appeal. The City Commission will conduct a quasi-judicial hearing on
the appeal within sixty (60) days of the filing of the appeal unless otherwise agreed to by
the Community Development Director and the certified recovery residence.
SECTION 3. Conflicts. In the event of a conflict between this Ordinance and any other ordinance
or provision of law, this Ordinance shall control to the extent allowable by law.
SECTION 4. Severability. If any portion of this Ordinance is held invalid or unconstitutional by a
court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct provision,
and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions.
SECTION 5. Codification. This Ordinance shall be codified in the Code of Ordinances of the City
of Longwood, Florida. Section numbering, formatting, and headings may be altered as
necessary.
SECTION 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
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FIRST READING: December 1, 2025.
SECOND READING: December 15, 2025.
ADOPTED this 15th day of December, 2025, by the City Commission of the City of
Longwood, Florida.
CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LONGWOOD,
FLORIDA
Brian D. Sackett, Mayor
ATTEST:
Liane Cartagena, City Clerk
Approved as to form and legality for the use and reliance of the City of Longwood, Florida, only.
Daniel ey, City Attorney
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