In recognition of the difficult economic conditions of the past few years, the 2011 Florida Legislature provided several new opportunities for substantially extending development approvals. Depending on various factors, the extensions may total up to 6 years, 10 months and 21 days for DRIs, and up to 4 years, 10 months and 21 days for non-DRI projects. Each of the extensions require written notification by the permit or approval holder to the issuing agency. In most cases, the deadline for notification is December 31, 2011. Additional information regarding the various extensions is outlined below. The legislation should be consulted, however, for more specific eligibility criteria and requirements for exercising the extensions.

Extensions Provided in the Community Planning Act (Chapter 2011-139, Laws of Florida)

The Community Planning Act provides three different extensions for development, all of which require written notification to the authorizing agency by December 31, 2011. Some of these conditions can be combined, resulting in some DRI approvals being extended up to six years under the Act.