Union County is Florida’s third-smallest county by population, with approximately 15,500 residents and a land area of just 240 square miles. The county seat is Lake Butler. Union County has a distinctive demographic character: it is home to the Union Correctional Institution and the Reception and Medical Center, major state prison facilities that significantly influence the county’s employment and population profile. The economy is defined primarily by the correctional and government sector, agriculture, and a small retail and services base in Lake Butler. The rental market is very small, with rents among the lowest in Florida, and landlords should expect an applicant pool that includes corrections officers and government employees with stable employment, as well as lower-income households with elevated financial risk. Union County is part of Florida’s Eighth Judicial Circuit (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties). Evictions are filed at the Union County Clerk of Courts, 55 W. Main St., Lake Butler, FL 32054; (386) 496-3711. Florida state law applies exclusively; no local rent control or tenant protections.
📊 Union County Quick Stats
County Seat
Lake Butler
Population
~15,500
Median Rent
~$700–$1,000
Judicial Circuit
Eighth (Circuit 8)
Major Employer
State correctional facilities
⚖️ 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
55 W. Main St., Lake Butler
Court Type
County Court (Circuit 8)
Union 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
Union County Clerk: 55 W. Main St., Lake Butler, FL 32054; (386) 496-3711. Eighth Judicial Circuit.
Correctional Employment Note
State correctional officers and DOC employees are among the most stable tenant profiles in Union County. Verify state employment and pay grade to ensure income meets 3x rent threshold. Stable government employment makes corrections-sector tenants generally reliable payers.
Last verified: 2026-03-13
🏛️ Union 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.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
Florida landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding
tenant screening in Florida —
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
📍 Union County at a Glance
Union County is one of Florida’s smallest counties (~15,500 residents), with an economy dominated by state correctional employment. Eighth Judicial Circuit; file at 55 W. Main St., Lake Butler, (386) 496-3711. Very low rents ($700–$1,000). Corrections officers and DOC staff are stable tenants; screen other applicants carefully given limited local economy.
Union County
Screen Before You Sign
State employment (corrections, DOC) tenants are among your most stable options here. Verify pay grade and employment status. For non-government applicants, verify income at 3x rent carefully — the local economy has limited alternatives for steady income.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Union County, Florida and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the Union County Clerk of Courts or a licensed Florida attorney. Last updated: March 2026.
