News Coverage and Timeline

 

The following articles document Sarasota County's review of the Florida Live Local Act, the County Commission's actions, the resulting litigation, and related development proposals. Articles are listed chronologically.

 

March 26, 2026

County directs legal review of Live Local Act’s potential application to open-use and residential property.

• Office of County Attorney and County Administrator directed to prepare report – Sarasota News Leader

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April 9, 2026

Following several weeks of legal review, the Sarasota County Commission voted to interpret the Live Local Act as applying only to commercial, industrial, and mixed-use zoning districts, excluding Residential Estate, Open Use, and Rural zoning classifications.

• No residential, Open Use or Residential Estate parcels to qualify – Sarasota News Leader

• Sarasota County blocks Live Local law, risking legal clash – Suncoast Searchlight/Florida Trident

• WMNF version of the Florida Trident/Suncoast Searchlight report

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April 23, 2026

County seeks outside counsel and an Attorney General opinion.

• County Attorney to hire outside counsel – Sarasota News Leader

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May 7, 2026

Legal uncertainty and the County’s outside legal review are discussed.

• Efforts to rein in Live Local put Sarasota County in legal limbo – WSLR

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May 14, 2026

Independent legal opinion released and summarized.

• Independent legal opinion calls Live Local a significant state preemption – Sarasota News Leader

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June 12–13, 2026

First lawsuits against Sarasota County receive broad public coverage.

• Sarasota County sued over efforts to block Live Local projects – ABC7

• Sarasota County sued over efforts to block Live Local projects – WUSF

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June 25, 2026

D.R. Horton files a Live Local application involving Smith Farm near the Celery Fields.

• D.R. Horton–Smith family Live Local application filed – Sarasota News Leader

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June 30–July 2, 2026

Judge hears arguments in the Yeshua’s Love/Curco case.

• Judge to issue ruling following June 30 hearing – Sarasota News Leader

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July 17–18, 2026

SITC attempts to pursue claims against commissioners personally.

• Developer seeks to hold commissioners personally liable – Suncoast Searchlight

• Lawyer fights effort to hold commissioners personally liable – WUSF

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July 24, 2026

Siesta Key proposal reported; number of County lawsuits updated to four.

• Siesta Key Live Local proposal among projects on hold – Sarasota News Leader

• Live Local law stirs critics becomes election year clash - Sarasota Herald Tribune

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Note: This page is intended as a public reference library of news coverage related to Sarasota County's implementation of the Florida Live Local Act and the resulting litigation.

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