Florida Statutes 260.0125 – Limitation on liability of private landowners whose property is designated as part of the statewide system of greenways and trails
Current as of: 2024 | Check for updates
|
Other versions
(1)(a) A private landowner whose land is designated as part of the statewide system of greenways and trails pursuant to s. 260.016(2)(d), including a person holding a subservient interest, owes no duty of care to keep that land safe for entry or use by others or to give warning to persons entering that land of any hazardous conditions, structures, or activities thereon. Such landowner shall not:
1. Be presumed to extend any assurance that such land is safe for any purpose;
2. Incur any duty of care toward a person who goes on the land; or
3. Become liable or responsible for any injury to persons or property caused by the act or omission of a person who goes on the land.
Terms Used In Florida Statutes 260.0125
- Department: means the Department of Environmental Protection. See Florida Statutes 260.013
- Designation: means the identification and inclusion of specific lands and waterways as part of the statewide system of greenways and trails pursuant to a formal public process, including the specific written consent of the landowner. See Florida Statutes 260.013
- Greenway: means a linear open space established along either a natural corridor, such as a riverfront, stream valley, or ridgeline, or over land along a railroad right-of-way converted to recreational use, a canal, a scenic road, or other route; any natural or landscaped course for pedestrian or bicycle passage; an open space connector linking parks, nature reserves, cultural features, or historic sites with each other and populated areas; or a local strip or linear park designated as a parkway or greenbelt. See Florida Statutes 260.013
- person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
- Trails: means linear corridors and any adjacent support parcels on land or water providing public access for recreation or authorized alternative modes of transportation. See Florida Statutes 260.013
(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) apply whether the person going on the designated greenway or trail is an invitee, licensee, trespasser, or otherwise.
(2) Any private landowner who consents to designation of his or her land as part of the statewide system of greenways and trails pursuant to s. 260.016(2)(d) without compensation shall be considered a volunteer, as defined in s. 110.501, and shall be covered by state liability protection pursuant to s. 768.28, including s. 768.28(9).
(3)(a) The provisions of subsection (1) shall not apply if there is any charge made or usually made by the landowner for entering or using the land designated as a greenway or trail, or any part thereof, or if any commercial or other activity whereby profit is derived by the landowner from the patronage of the general public is conducted on the land so designated or any part thereof.
(b) Incentives granted by any unit of government to the private landowner, including tax incentives, grants, or other financial consideration specific to the development or management of designated greenways and trails, shall not be construed as a charge for use or profit derived from patronage for purposes of this subsection and shall not be construed as monetary or material compensation for purposes of subsection (2).
(4) The provisions of subsection (1) shall also apply to adjacent land owned by the private landowner who consents to designation of a greenway or trail where such adjacent land is accessed through the land so designated.
(5)(a) When a private landowner agrees to make his or her land available for public use as a designated greenway or trail, the department or its designee shall post notices along the boundary of the designated greenway or trail which inform the public that the land adjacent to the greenway or trail is private property upon which unauthorized entry for any purpose is prohibited and constitutes trespassing.
(6) If agreed to by the department and the landowner in the designation agreement, a landowner whose land is designated as part of the statewide system of greenways and trails pursuant to s. 260.016(2)(d) shall be indemnified for:
(a) Any injury or damage incurred by a third party arising out of the use of the designated greenway or trail;
(b) Any injury or damage incurred by a third party on lands adjacent to and accessed through the designated greenway or trail; and
(c) Any damage to the landowner’s property, including land adjacent to and accessed through the designated greenway or trail, caused by the act or omission of a third person resulting from any use of the land so designated.
(7) This section does not relieve any person of liability that would otherwise exist for deliberate, willful, or malicious injury to persons or property. The provisions of this section shall not be deemed to create or increase the liability of any person.