Division Authority

The division operates under the authority provided by the Florida Legislature through the Florida Statutes. Florida Statute 20.165 establishes the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Chapter 509, Part 1, Florida Statutes, governs the licensing, inspection, and regulation of public lodging and public food service establishments. The Division also adopts rules governing the licensing, inspection, and regulation of public lodging and public food service establishments. These rules are located in Chapters 61C-1, 61C-3, 61C-4 and 61C-8 of the Florida Administrative Code.

Chapter 399, Florida Statutes, governs the licensing, inspection, and regulation of elevators, escalators, and other vertical conveyance devices. The Division also adopts rules governing the licensing, inspection, and regulation of elevators, escalators, and other vertical conveyance devices. These rules are located in Chapter 61C-5 of the Florida Administrative Code.

Additionally, Florida Statute 386.207 provides the Division authority to enforce the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act in public food service establishments not licensed by the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and in all public lodging establishments.

Florida Statutes and Constitution

Florida Statutes and Constitution. The statutes are updated as a result of every legislative session. The constitution was revised in 1968 and is amended by the voters. The sites below are maintained by the Florida Legislature.

Chapter 509 – Part I Public Lodging and Public Food Service Establishments

Chapter 559 – Part VII Licensing by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Chapter 83 – Part II: Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act

Chapter 386 – Part II: Indoor Air: Tobacco Smoke

Section 865.09: Fictitious Name Registration

Florida Administrative Code

The entire Florida Administrative Code is available in Microsoft Word format. The code is constantly revised. This site is maintained by the Office of the Secretary of State.

Chapter 61C-1: General Chapter 61C-3: Public Lodging EstablishmentsChapter 61C-4: Public Food Service Establishments, Chapter 61C-8: Hospitality Education Programs Grants

      • Revised 2024 October – pdf (30 pages)

FDA Food Code

Adopted Editions of the FDA Food Code U.S. Public Health Service — Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA Food Code is adopted by rule in Chapter 61C-1, Florida Administrative Code, and there are significant changes between editions. Industry bulletins in the table below summarize these changes.

As Adopted Effective Industry Bulletins Complete FDA Code
2017 PDF 11/01/2019 2019-02/2019-03 2017 FDA Food Code
2009 PDF Replaced 11/2019 2012-03 2009 FDA Food Code
2001 PDF Replaced 01/2013 2005-01 2001 FDA Food Code
1999 PDF Replaced 02/2005 NA 1999 FDA Food Code
1997 PDF Replaced 09/2003 NA 1997 FDA Food Code

Rule Adoption Information

The PDF provides a summary of the division’s rule adoption activity, including rules adopted within the previous twelve months. All rule adoption must follow the requirements of Chapter 120, Florida Statutes. Public notices of rule adoption activity are published in the Florida Administrative Register.

    • Revised 2024 August – pdf

To send questions or comments regarding the division’s administrative rules, e-mail us at dhr.rules@myfloridalicense.com.

Other Applicable Codes (Including F.D.A. Food Code)

Florida Building Code

The Florida Building Code was created by the 2000 Florida Legislature to provide uniform regulations throughout the state. The code is adopted by rule 9B-3.047, Florida Administrative Code, by the Florida Building Commission with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The 2010 Florida Building Code became effective March 15, 2012. Chapters applicable to the division are:

    • Public Lodging Establishments: Chapter 4, Section 425
    • Public Food Service Establishments: Chapter 4, Section 426

This site is maintained by the International Code Council (ICC).

Florida Fire Prevention Code

The Florida Fire Prevention Code is an adaptation of NFPA 1 and NFPA 101. It is adopted as amended by Chapter 69A-60, Florida Administrative Code. The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of State Fire Marshal website provides additional information.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

United States Code of Federal Regulations

Need Help?

All requests for public records, complaints, forms, and applications for licenses can be obtained by contacting the Customer Contact Center.

Steven von Bodungen, Director

Division of Hotels and Restaurants
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011

Telephone: 850.487.1395
Email: dhr.info@myfloridalicense.com