The short version
Before imposing a fine, a condominium association must give the owner at least 14 days' written notice of the alleged violation and an opportunity to appear before the fining committee (FS 718.303(3)). That committee must be at least 3 association members who are not board members or officers — and if it does not approve the fine, the fine may not be imposed.
The committee is the checkpoint
| Requirement | FS 718.303(3) |
|---|---|
| Written notice before a fine | At least 14 days |
| Owner's right to be heard | An opportunity to appear before the committee |
| Committee composition | At least 3 members who are not board members or officers |
| If the committee does not approve | The fine may not be levied |
The committee's decision on whether to impose the fine is final — the board cannot overrule a refusal. A manager who lets a board treat the committee as a rubber stamp is setting up the association to lose the dispute later.
How much a fine can be
Under FS 718.303(3), fines may run up to $100 per violation per day, and may not exceed $1,000 in the aggregate for continuing violations, unless the governing documents provide otherwise.
The practical consequence is that a fine is a nudge, not a revenue source. Where a violation genuinely costs the association money, the remedy is usually elsewhere — in the assessment and lien machinery, or in an action to enforce the documents.
Suspending privileges — and the line that cannot be crossed
That distinction comes up constantly in practice and on the exam, because it is the point where an aggressive board crosses from enforcement into something a court will not support.
The HOA sequence under FS 720
Homeowners associations follow the same due-process logic through FS 720.305:
More on the chapter generally: Florida HOA laws, Chapter 720.
When the owner disputes the fine
Association disputes, fines included, do not go straight to court. Under FS 718.1255 the parties must first attempt mandatory nonbinding arbitration with the Division, or mediation, before filing suit.
For a manager this is good news badly disguised: the pre-suit step is an opportunity to settle a dispute that a board's pride has inflated, at a fraction of the cost of litigation the members will ultimately fund.
This page explains FS 718.303, FS 718.1255 and FS 720.305 in general terms for CAM exam study. Florida community association law is amended frequently and your governing documents may impose stricter requirements. Not legal advice — consult association counsel on an actual enforcement matter.
Where this sits on the exam
Enforcement spans Procedure (25% of the Florida CAM exam) and Management & Maintenance (18%). The questions are procedural rather than conceptual — how many days, how many committee members, what happens when the committee says no — which makes them reliable points once the sequence is memorized.
Procedure is nearly half the exam
FLCamPro drills all 5 CAM content areas with 308 exam-style questions and a plain-English explanation on every answer — law, procedure, budget, insurance and maintenance.