Since 2021, multiple statutes have been enacted and revised to eliminate most local licenses, while also expanding the availability of certain state-level contractor licenses. After four years of legislation, many of those changes finally took effect earlier this month, leaving some contractors without local licenses and without a lot of guidance on local licensing requirements.

Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal reinstated a contractor’s construction lien after finding that alleged unlicensed contracting in violation of local ordinances did not trigger the application of 489.128, Florida Statute. The court does a good job of outlining the differences between state and local licensing laws and the penalties and scope of enforcement available at the state and local level.