NAPLES, FL — City Council Mulls Rebellion Against Florida’s “Build It Back Worse” Law

In an unexpected twist of civic responsibility, the Naples City Council is considering joining a lawsuit against Florida’s latest gift to the developer class: Senate Bill 180 — a law that essentially tells local governments, “Hands off the hammer.”

Signed in June by Governor Ron DeSantis, the law bars cities and counties from imposing stricter building codes, temporary development bans, or additional fees in the first year after a natural disaster. Because apparently, the best time to cut corners is right after nature exposed all the old ones.

Critics have lovingly dubbed it the “Please Don’t Inconvenience Developers” Act. Officials in Naples have a different name for it: a disaster in the making.

“This law basically tells us we’re not allowed to learn from catastrophe,” said one visibly frustrated council member. “After a Category 4 hurricane rips half the roofs off the city, we’d like the freedom to say, maybe don’t rebuild with popsicle sticks and hope.”

Under SB 180, local governments are left watching from the sidelines as contractors rush to rebuild fast and cheap—often the same way that left entire neighborhoods vulnerable in the first place. It’s a dream scenario for builders, roofers, and anyone in the business of profiting from poorly thought-out recovery plans.

Supporters of the law say it’s about streamlining recovery and stimulating the economy—especially the lucrative “storm chaser” economy that flourishes in Florida’s disaster aftermaths. “We’re just trying to cut red tape,” explained one industry advocate, while polishing a gold-plated caulking gun.

Naples is now weighing whether to officially join the lawsuit challenging SB 180, a move that some fear could make the city look hostile to developers. Others argue it’s simply about retaining local control and preventing the state from mandating Groundhog Day-style disaster rebuilding cycles.

“This isn’t about stopping development,” another council member clarified. “It’s about making sure we don’t rebuild disaster zones just so they can be disasters again.”

A vote is expected in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Naples officials are left pondering a bold question: should local governments have the right to prevent future disasters, or should they just sit quietly while the rebuilding piñata gets another whack?

One Tallahassee lobbyist summed it up best:
“Natural disasters are temporary. Construction profits are forever.”