📍 Redington Beach, North Redington Beach, and Redington Shores, FL — Residents across the Redington communities are sounding the alarm, accusing their local governments of blatantly violating Senate Bill 180 (SB 180), Florida’s new hurricane recovery law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in May 2025. This landmark legislation, retroactively applied to cover the devastation from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, was designed to protect homeowners by preventing municipalities from abusing permitting powers, imposing excessive fees, or delaying reconstruction. Yet, residents report that these very abuses are rampant, turning the recovery process into a nightmare of overregulation and financial ruin.
“We’re being crushed by fees, delayed by red tape, and pushed out of our homes while the town does nothing,” said a frustrated homeowner from Redington Shores. “SB 180 was supposed to stop this, and we’re holding them accountable.”
đź”— Read the full investigative report with documents, photos, and resident testimonies:
👉 https://wethepeopleofredingtonbeach.com/redington-beach-corruption-exposed-a-town-held-hostage-by-safebuilt-peebles-fitzgerald-and-systemic-extortion/
đź“– Confirmed by Florida Politics: Governor DeSantis signed SB 180 with retroactive effect, preempting local land use authority and applying to recovery efforts post-Hurricanes Helene and Milton:
👉 Florida Politics: DeSantis Signs Hurricane Recovery Law That Preempts Local Land Use Authority
⚖️ SB 180 PROTECTIONS BEING FLATLY IGNORED
Residents and contractors across the Redingtons are facing a coordinated assault on their rights, with local officials and their third-party partners disregarding SB 180’s clear mandates:
- Illegal lookback codes: Homeowners are being forced to elevate entire structures, overhaul plumbing, or meet new building codes for minor repairs—despite SB 180’s ban on “lookback ordinances” in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) communities like all three Redington towns.
- Exorbitant fees: Permit and inspection fees have skyrocketed, with added costs for re-audits and unnecessary reviews, violating SB 180’s prohibition on raising fees for 180 days after a declared emergency.
- Unlawful permit delays: City officials, alongside contractors like SAFEbuilt and Tidal Basin, are denying or stalling permits, creating de facto moratoriums on reconstruction—directly contradicting SB 180’s one-year ban on such restrictions post-hurricane.
- Legal recourse ignored: SB 180 empowers residents to sue for “burdensome or restrictive” policies, yet local leaders continue unchecked. Lawsuits are now being prepared across all three towns.
🔥 THE FIGHTBACK BEGINS
Frustrated residents are taking action, targeting key figures and entities responsible for these violations:
- Redington Beach Mayor David Will
- SAFEbuilt (contracted building department)
- Rob Peebles (Building Official)
- Marquis Fitzgerald (Code Enforcement)
- Tidal Basin (damage assessor)
Their demands are clear:
- Full compliance with SB 180
- Immediate halt to permit abuses
- Transparent audits of FEMA recovery funds
- State intervention to enforce homeowner rights
🧠WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NEXT: FILE YOUR COMPLAINT NOW!
If your home in Redington Beach, North Redington Beach, or Redington Shores has been delayed, overcharged, or blocked from rebuilding after Hurricanes Helene or Milton, you have legal rights under SB 180. Act today—here’s how:
- File an SB 180-Specific Complaint With:
- Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM): Report violations of fee hikes, permit delays, or lookback codes. Contact: [email protected] or 850-413-9900.
- Governor’s Office (DeSantis signed the bill): Demand state oversight. Submit via www.flgov.com/contact-governor/.
- Pursue Legal Action:
- File a lawsuit in circuit court or federal court, citing SB 180’s provisions (e.g., s. 252.363, Florida Statutes, prohibiting burdensome regulations). Seek injunctive relief and attorney fees as allowed under the law.
- Submit a Public Records Request:
- Demand Redington Beach’s SB 180 compliance plan.
- Request all post-August 1, 2024, ordinances, resolutions, or enforcement policy changes.
- Contact the Town Clerk at 727-391-3875 or [email protected].
- Amend Existing Lawsuits:
- If you’ve already filed a suit, update it to include SB 180 violations for stronger legal standing.
Time is critical—submit complaints by July 15, 2025, to align with SB 180’s retroactive enforcement window ending October 1, 2027.
🤝 JOIN THE MOVEMENT
The cost of suing individually can reach tens of thousands of dollars, but together, we can force change without breaking the bank. Organize with neighbors, share evidence, and demand a town hall meeting to confront these officials. Visit our site for templates and support:
👉 https://wethepeopleofredingtonbeach.com/
đź“š Learn the Law:
👉 Florida Politics – DeSantis Signs Hurricane Recovery Law
đź“Ś This press release is issued by residents and advocates of Redington Beach, North Redington Beach, and Redington Shores, united to protect property rights, enforce SB 180, and end the misuse of public authority.