Florida homeowners could see their property tax bills drop by $1,000 or more starting in 2027. The same dollars pay for deputies, firefighters and parks. On Nov. 3, voters decide whether that trade is worth it, and the measure needs 60% to pass.
What Amendment 3 does
Official title: "Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments."
The amendment has three parts, according to WLRN and the Florida Phoenix voter guide:
- It raises the homestead exemption on non-school property taxes to $150,000 on Jan. 1, 2027, and to $250,000 on Jan. 1, 2028. After that it adjusts for inflation.
- It lowers the yearly cap on assessment increases for non-homestead property, such as rentals and businesses, from 10% to 5%.
- It limits what counties and cities can spend property tax money on to a set list, including public safety, education, infrastructure, natural resources, debt service, employee benefits and operations.
School taxes are not touched by the exemption.
How it got on the ballot
Lawmakers passed House Joint Resolution 1F during a June special session. The House voted 75 to 26 and the Senate 30 to 9 on June 2, 2026, the Floridian Press reported. The sponsors were Rep. Toby Overdorf (R-Palm City) and Sen. Bryan Avila (R-Hialeah Gardens). Florida's governor does not sign or veto a joint resolution. It goes straight to voters.
What it would cost, and what it would save
The cost to local governments: State economists project local property tax collections would fall by $5 billion in the first year and by up to $12 billion a year once the measure is fully phased in, according to the Florida Phoenix.
The savings for homeowners: Florida Realtors CEO Margy Grant estimates the average homeowner would save about "$1,000 a year in 2027 and $1,800 in 2028," WLRN reported. Florida TaxWatch, a nonprofit research group, built a calculator with higher numbers for some places. For a home in Orlando, it shows $1,113 in 2027 and $2,242 in 2028. In Fort Meade in Polk County, it shows $1,511 and $3,045, ClickOrlando reported. Those figures apply to homes assessed above $250,000.
The case for it
- Sen. Bryan Avila (R-Hialeah Gardens), the Senate sponsor, per the Floridian Press: "I think what we're doing here today is we're giving our residents an opportunity not only to get immediate property tax relief, but really to let our local governments know whether they're doing a good job or not."
- Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), answering the question of where the money comes from, per Fox 13: "We're not gonna spend the way that it's been spending."
- Florida Realtors is the yes campaign's only funder.
The case against it
- Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd called the measure "a train wreck" and warned it would cut law enforcement budgets and slow emergency response, WLRN reported.
- Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, president of the Florida Sheriffs Association, called it "half of a good plan" because it leaves lawmakers to work out the details later, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
- The State Fraternal Order of Police warned that "essential emergency services should not be left facing fiscal uncertainty," per Florida Politics. Firefighter and fire chief groups, environmental groups including 1000 Friends of Florida and the Sierra Club, and city and county governments also oppose it.
The money behind each side
The yes committee raised $18 million through Sept. 25, all of it from Florida Realtors. The two opposition committees, Floridians for Shared Prosperity and Vote No on 3 Florida, raised $537,357 combined. That is a gap of more than 33 to 1, the Florida Phoenix reported.
Where the vote stands
Polls disagree. A St. Pete Polls survey of nearly 1,000 likely voters on Sept. 17 found 45% support, 30% opposed and 25% undecided, Fox 13 reported. That is 15 points short of the 60% the measure needs. The Florida Phoenix noted another survey showing 74% support. Treat any single poll with care until more are released.
What North Carolina is voting on
North Carolina voters face a different version of the same question. North Carolina's House Bill 1089 asks voters to require limits on how fast local property tax levies can grow, and the amendment sets no number. Florida's Amendment 3 writes the numbers into the constitution. Read our breakdown of North Carolina's three amendments for the comparison.
The question for voters
Supporters say homeowners deserve relief now and local governments should spend less. Opponents say the cut comes out of services residents rely on, and that the plan leaves lawmakers to fill the gap later. Voters have until Nov. 3 to decide which risk they would rather take.