Suwannee County is a small, rural north Florida county located along the Suwannee River in the Big Bend region, centered on Live Oak, the county seat and largest city. The economy is anchored by agriculture (tobacco, poultry, forestry), local government, and services. Population is approximately 45,000. The rental market is small and affordable, with rents among the lowest in the state, and a tenant base drawn heavily from agricultural workers, local government and healthcare employees, and retirees attracted by low costs. Suwannee County is part of Florida’s Third Judicial Circuit (Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor counties). Evictions are filed at the Suwannee County Clerk of Courts, 200 S. Ohio Ave., Live Oak, FL 32064; (386) 362-0500. Florida state law applies exclusively; no local rent control or tenant protections. Flood disclosure required for properties near the Suwannee River in flood zones.
📊 Suwannee County Quick Stats
County Seat
Live Oak
Population
~45,000
Median Rent
~$800–$1,200
Judicial Circuit
Third (Circuit 3)
Poverty Rate
~20%+ (screen carefully)
⚖️ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
3-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate
Lease Violation Notice
7-Day Notice to Cure or Vacate
Month-to-Month Termination
30-Day Notice to Vacate
Filing Fee
~$185 (possession only)
Courthouse
200 S. Ohio Ave., Live Oak
Court Type
County Court (Circuit 3)
Suwannee County Local Ordinances
Category
Details
Rental Licensing
No county-level landlord license required. Florida state law applies exclusively.
Rent Control
None. Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 preempts all local rent control.
Source of Income
No local protections. Landlords may decline housing voucher applicants.
Court Filing
Suwannee County Clerk: 200 S. Ohio Ave., Live Oak, FL 32064; (386) 362-0500. Third Judicial Circuit.
Additional Notes
Agricultural worker housing in Suwannee County may be subject to Florida Dept. of Health migrant farmworker housing regulations (Fla. Stat. Ch. 381), separate from Chapter 83. Suwannee River flood zone properties require flood disclosure for leases ≥1 year (effective Oct. 1, 2025).
Last verified: 2026-03-13
🏛️ Suwannee County Courthouse
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3-day notice excludes weekends and holidays. Notice must demand exact amount owed - overcharging voids the notice. Tenant can deposit rent with court registry to contest.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the County Court. Pay the filing fee (~$185).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Florida eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Florida attorney or local legal aid organization.
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Florida landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
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including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Florida's
eviction process, proper tenant screening can help
you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.
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AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Florida requirements.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
📍 Suwannee County at a Glance
Rural north Florida agricultural county on the Suwannee River. Third Judicial Circuit; file at 200 S. Ohio Ave., Live Oak, (386) 362-0500. Very affordable rents ($800–$1,200) with elevated poverty (~20%+) — screen income carefully. Farmworker housing may require separate DOH licensing. No local rent control.
Suwannee County
Screen Before You Sign
Verify 3x rent in stable documented income. Agricultural and seasonal workers need year-round income documentation. Check Third Circuit eviction history. With rents under $1,200, the margin for error on tenant quality is thin.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Suwannee County, Florida and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the Suwannee County Clerk of Courts or a licensed Florida attorney. Last updated: March 2026.
