Fla. Stat. 812.173
Convenience business security


(1)

Every convenience business shall be equipped with the following security devices and standards:A security camera system capable of recording and retrieving an image to assist in offender identification and apprehension.A drop safe or cash management device for restricted access to cash receipts.A lighted parking lot illuminated at an intensity of at least 2 foot-candles per square foot at 18 inches above the surface.A conspicuous notice at the entrance which states that the cash register contains $50 or less.Window signage that allows a clear and unobstructed view from outside the building and in a normal line of sight of the cash register and sales transaction area.Height markers at the entrance of the convenience business which display height measures.A cash management policy to limit the cash on hand at all times after 11 p.m.

(a)

A security camera system capable of recording and retrieving an image to assist in offender identification and apprehension.

(b)

A drop safe or cash management device for restricted access to cash receipts.

(c)

A lighted parking lot illuminated at an intensity of at least 2 foot-candles per square foot at 18 inches above the surface.

(d)

A conspicuous notice at the entrance which states that the cash register contains $50 or less.

(e)

Window signage that allows a clear and unobstructed view from outside the building and in a normal line of sight of the cash register and sales transaction area.

(f)

Height markers at the entrance of the convenience business which display height measures.

(g)

A cash management policy to limit the cash on hand at all times after 11 p.m.

(2)

A convenience business shall not have window tinting that reduces exterior or interior view in a normal line of sight.

(3)

Every convenience business shall be equipped with a silent alarm to law enforcement or a private security agency, unless an application for an exemption, adopted by rule by the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, is made to and granted by the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. An application for exemption must be in writing and must be accompanied by an administrative fee of $25 for each store for which an exemption would apply.

(4)

If a murder, robbery, sexual battery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, or kidnapping or false imprisonment, as those crimes are identified and defined by Florida Statutes, occurs or has occurred at a convenience business since July 1, 1989, and arises out of the operation of the convenience business, that convenience business shall notify the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco in writing and shall implement at least one of the following security measures within 30 days after a judicial determination that one or more of the aforementioned identified crimes occurred at the convenience business:Provide at least two employees on the premises at all times after 11 p.m. and before 5 a.m.;Install for use by employees at all times after 11 p.m. and before 5 a.m. a secured safety enclosure of transparent polycarbonate or other material that meets at least one of the following minimum standards:
American Society for Testing and Materials Standard D3935 (classification PC110 B 3 0800700) and that has a thickness of at least 0.375 inches and has an impact strength of at least 200 foot pounds; or
Underwriters Laboratory Standard UL 752 for medium power small arms (level one), Bullet Resisting Equipment;
Provide a security guard on the premises at all times after 11 p.m. and before 5 a.m.;Lock the business premises throughout the hours of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., and only transact business through an indirect pass-through trough, trapdoor, or window; orClose the business at all times after 11 p.m. and before 5 a.m.

(a)

Provide at least two employees on the premises at all times after 11 p.m. and before 5 a.m.;

(b)

Install for use by employees at all times after 11 p.m. and before 5 a.m. a secured safety enclosure of transparent polycarbonate or other material that meets at least one of the following minimum standards:American Society for Testing and Materials Standard D3935 (classification PC110 B 3 0800700) and that has a thickness of at least 0.375 inches and has an impact strength of at least 200 foot pounds; orUnderwriters Laboratory Standard UL 752 for medium power small arms (level one), Bullet Resisting Equipment;
1. American Society for Testing and Materials Standard D3935 (classification PC110 B 3 0800700) and that has a thickness of at least 0.375 inches and has an impact strength of at least 200 foot pounds; or
2. Underwriters Laboratory Standard UL 752 for medium power small arms (level one), Bullet Resisting Equipment;

(c)

Provide a security guard on the premises at all times after 11 p.m. and before 5 a.m.;

(d)

Lock the business premises throughout the hours of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., and only transact business through an indirect pass-through trough, trapdoor, or window; or

(e)

Close the business at all times after 11 p.m. and before 5 a.m.

(5)

For purposes of this section, any convenience business that by law implemented any of the security measures set forth in paragraphs (4)(a)-(e) and has maintained said measures as required by the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco without any occurrence or incidence of the crimes identified by subsection (4) for a period of no less than 24 months immediately preceding the filing of a notice of exemption, may file with the department a notice of exemption from these enhanced security measures. In no event shall this exemption be interpreted to preclude full compliance with the security measures set forth in subsection (4) should any occurrence or incidence of the crimes identified by subsection (4) cause subsection (4) to be statutorily applicable. As of July 1, 2021, the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco will provide notice to any convenience business to which a subsection (4) incident occurred between July 1, 2019, and July 1, 2021. In no event shall the state or the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco incur any liability for the regulation and enforcement of this act.

(6)

The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco has the authority to investigate the premises and records of any licensee in order to determine whether the licensee is a convenience business and subject to this act.

Source: Section 812.173 — Convenience business security, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0812.­173 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

812.005
Short title
812.012
Definitions
812.13
Robbery
812.14
Trespass and larceny with relation to utility fixtures
812.014
Theft
812.15
Unauthorized reception of communications services
812.015
Retail and farm theft
812.16
Operating chop shops
812.016
Possession of altered property
812.017
Use of a fraudulently obtained or false receipt
812.019
Dealing in stolen property
812.022
Evidence of theft or dealing in stolen property
812.025
Charging theft and dealing in stolen property
812.028
Defenses precluded
812.032
Supplemental fine
812.035
Civil remedies
812.037
Construction of ss
812.052
Certain purchases prohibited
812.055
Physical inspection of junkyards, scrap metal processing plants, salvage yards, licensed motor vehicle or vessel dealers, repair shops, parking lots, public garages, towing and storage facilities
812.061
Larceny
812.062
Notification to owner and law enforcement agency initiating stolen motor vehicle report upon recovery of stolen vehicle
812.081
Theft of or trafficking in trade secrets
812.131
Robbery by sudden snatching
812.133
Carjacking
812.135
Home-invasion robbery
812.141
Offenses involving critical infrastructure
812.145
Theft of copper or other nonferrous metals
812.0145
Theft from persons 65 years of age or older
812.146
Civil liability of owner of metal property
812.0147
Unlawful possession or use of a fifth wheel
812.0151
Retail fuel theft
812.155
Hiring, leasing, or obtaining personal property or equipment with the intent to defraud
812.0155
Driver license suspension as an alternative sentence for a person under 18 years of age
812.171
Definition
812.172
Intent
812.173
Convenience business security
812.174
Training of employees
812.175
Enforcement
812.176
Rulemaking authority
812.0191
Dealing in property paid for in whole or in part by the Medicaid program
812.0195
Dealing in stolen property by use of the Internet
812.1701
Short title
812.1725
Preemption

Current through Fall 2025

§ 812.173. Convenience business security's source at flsenate​.gov