What Florida Real Estate Developers Should Know About Emergency Permit Extensions

When government offices shut down and need material or economic assistance after a natural disaster, a provision in Florida law can help developers protect project schedules. Real estate attorneys Erica Adams and Alessandria San Roman break down Florida Statute 252.363, a powerful but often overlooked tool that can assist developers when hurricanes, floods and other declared states of emergency disrupt permitting and construction. They explain what qualifies as a development order that can be extended under the statute and list the approval and permits that may be eligible, from certain building and environmental permits to buildout dates for developments of regional impact. They also point out key exclusions that can block an extension and highlight the practical mechanics of tolling and extensions, including how to calculate the paused time and how overlapping emergencies are handled. Ms. Adams and Ms. San Roman conclude by identifying common compliance pitfalls and advising developers to maintain calendar deadlines, review agency-specific requirements and file proactively to keep projects on track. ​