The Collier County Board of Commissioners recently approved a new ordinance requiring landlords to give long-term tenants 60 days prior notice of any increase in rental rates of more than 5%.  The ordinance went into effect on October 28, 2022.

This requirement applies to tenants in unincorporated Collier County with a residential lease term of one year or longer.  The 60-day notice period begins when the landlord provides notice to the tenant either through the mail, email, or posting the notice.  However, this notice requirement does not apply to any automatic rent increases provided for in written leases.

A violation of this ordinance by a landlord is punishable by a fine not exceeding $500, and a separate penalty can be imposed for each violation.

The Board of Commissioners found that about half of the housing in Collier County is rental units, and there has been a recent upsurge in rental rates within the county.  The Board recognized that many tenants may have difficulty affording their rent and other necessities and that programs available to assist tenants in paying their rent may require an application process of at least 30 days.  Therefore, the Board determined that a 60-day notice requirement of a rate increase greater than 5% would allow tenants a reasonable time to apply for any assistance they may need.

View Collier County Ordinance