What are the CPTED requirements for Florida multifamily residential properties?

If you are an owner of a multifamily residential property, there are certain requirements you must meet to comply with CPTED. A multifamily residential property encompasses apartments, condominiums, and townhouses.

Florida House Bill 837 (HB 837) establishes protections against liability for apartment and multifamily residential property owners who apply specific crime prevention (CPTED) measures and have a filed CPTED assessment performed by a law enforcement agency or Florida Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Practitioner (FCP).

F.S. 768.0706(2) reads: “The owner or principal operator of a multifamily residential property which substantially implements the following security measures on that property has a presumption against liability in connection with criminal acts that occur on the premises which are committed by third parties who are not employees or agents of the owner or operator:”

Physical property requirements include:

• Surveillance

• Effective security cameras at all entry and exit points, record for at least 30 days

• Parking lot adequately illuminated to 1.8 foot candles at 18 inches of height from dusk to dawn using photocell or similar devices. Also for walkways, laundry rooms, porches, communal zones.

• Minimum 1 inch deadbolt on every residential door; every window, sliding door, and non-communal door must have locking mechanisms

• Pool fence should have locked gates requiring key or fob

• Every dwelling door must have a peephole unless window is adjacent

• CPTED Assessment no older than 3 years and remain in substantial compliance

• All employees CPTED-trained within 60 days of starting work*

Before January 1, 2025, the owner or major operator must give its current staff the necessary safety and crime prevention training. After January 1, 2025, all employees must receive this training from the owner or principal operator within 60 days of hire.