Florida § 705.185 - Disposal of personal property lost or abandoned on the premises of certain facilities.

Full text of Florida Florida Statutes § 705.185 — Disposal of personal property lost or abandoned on the premises of certain facilities., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 705.185. Disposal of personal property lost or abandoned on the premises of certain facilities.

When any lost or abandoned personal property is found on premises located within a theme park or entertainment complex, as defined in s. 509.013(9), or operated as a zoo, a museum, or an aquarium, or on the premises of a public food service establishment or a public lodging establishment licensed under part I of chapter 509, if the owner or operator of such premises elects to comply with this section, any lost or abandoned property must be delivered to such owner or operator, who must take charge of the property and make a record of the date such property was found. If the property is not claimed by its owner within 30 days after it is found, or a longer period of time as may be deemed appropriate by the owner or operator of the premises, the owner or operator of the premises may not sell and must dispose of the property or donate it to a charitable institution that is exempt from federal income tax under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code for sale or other disposal as the charitable institution deems appropriate. The rightful owner of the property may reclaim the property from the owner or operator of the premises at any time before the disposal or donation of the property in accordance with this section and the established policies and procedures of the owner or operator of the premises. A charitable institution that accepts an electronic device, as defined in s. 815.03(9), access to which is not secured by a password or other personal identification technology, shall make a reasonable effort to delete all personal data from the electronic device before its sale or disposal.

Source: official Florida text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida § 705.185

What does Florida Statutes § 705.185 cover?

Section 705.185 ("Disposal of personal property lost or abandoned on the premises of certain facilities.") is part of the Florida Statutes, the codified statutory law of Florida. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Florida § 705.185?

A common citation format is "Florida Statutes § 705.185" (Florida). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Florida law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Florida official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Florida attorney.

How does Florida § 705.185 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Florida can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Florida.