Florida Statute 47.021 - Full Text and Legal Analysis

The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title VI
CIVIL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

Chapter 47
VENUE

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F.S. 47.021

47.021 Actions against defendants residing in different counties.—Actions against two or more defendants residing in different counties may be brought in any county in which any defendant resides.

History.—s. 10, Nov. 23, 1828; RS 999; GS 1384; RGS 2580; CGL 4220; s. 3, ch. 67-254; s. 11, ch. 73-334.

Note.—Former s. 46.02.

F.S. 47.021 on Google Scholar

F.S. 47.021 on CourtListener

Amendments to 47.021

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 47.021

Total Results: 52

Brown v. NAGELHOUT

84 So. 3d 304, 37 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 225, 2012 WL 851033, 2012 Fla. LEXIS 552

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Mar 15, 2012 | Docket: 1935369

Cited 8 times | Published

plaintiff is entitled to choose venue pursuant to section 47.021, Florida Statutes); and Doonan, 114 So.2d at

Highland Ins. Co. v. Walker Mem. San. & Ben. Ass'n

225 So. 2d 572

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 8, 1969 | Docket: 1444829

Cited 8 times | Published

both of the surgical procedures performed. Section 47.021, Florida Statutes 1967, F.S.A., permits an

Walt Disney World Co. v. Leff

323 So. 2d 602

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 19, 1975 | Docket: 1675227

Cited 7 times | Published

in which any defendant resides."[2] Fla. Stat. § 47.021 (1973). While on the face of these two statutes

Commercial Carrier Corporation v. Mercer

226 So. 2d 270

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 5, 1969 | Docket: 364589

Cited 7 times | Published

in "different" counties within the purview of § 47.021, F.S.A. We must first look to § 47.051, F.S.A

Dive Bimini, Inc. v. Roberts

745 So. 2d 482, 1999 WL 1049738

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 22, 1999 | Docket: 1689190

Cited 6 times | Published

the property in litigation is located. Under section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1997), an action "against

Sage v. Travelers Indemnity Company of Hartford

239 So. 2d 831

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 9, 1970 | Docket: 538736

Cited 6 times | Published

the cause of action accrues and that under Section 47.021 actions against two or more defendants residing

Bauman v. Rayburn

878 So. 2d 1273, 2004 WL 1751193

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 6, 2004 | Docket: 1353502

Cited 5 times | Published

Services, Inc., because it is a co-defendant. § 47.021, Fla. Stat. (2003). Nevertheless, Appellants contend

Levy County School Bd. v. Bowdoin

607 So. 2d 479, 1992 WL 301314

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 22, 1992 | Docket: 531778

Cited 5 times | Published

in litigation is located." (Emphasis added.) Section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1989), provides, "Actions

Inter-Medic Health Centers, Inc. v. Murphy

400 So. 2d 206, 1981 Fla. App. LEXIS 20380

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 1, 1981 | Docket: 1262829

Cited 5 times | Published

Inter-Medic maintains another hospital facility. Section 47.021, Florida Statutes, provides that, regarding

Straske v. McGillicuddy

388 So. 2d 1334

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 8, 1980 | Docket: 419994

Cited 5 times | Published

in Lee County, venue would properly lie there. § 47.021, Fla. Stat. (1979). [3] In this connection, we

Coggin Pontiac, Inc. v. Putnam Auto Sales, Inc.

278 So. 2d 647

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 5, 1973 | Docket: 1356641

Cited 5 times | Published

laid.[3] Such situation brings into play F.S. Section 47.021, F.S.A., which provides that actions against

Sinclair Fund, Inc. v. Burton

623 So. 2d 587, 1993 WL 321729

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 25, 1993 | Docket: 2574166

Cited 4 times | Published

in any county in which a defendant resides, section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1992), where a corporate

Lane v. HEMOPHILIA OF THE SUNSHINE STATE INC.

793 So. 2d 992, 2001 WL 109206

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 9, 2001 | Docket: 1267061

Cited 3 times | Published

matters involving more than one *995 defendant, section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1999), provides: "Actions

LIFEMARK HOSPITALS v. Roque

727 So. 2d 1077

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 24, 1999 | Docket: 1730026

Cited 3 times | Published

defendants residing in different counties, section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1997), provides that an

State, Department of Transportation v. Chothen

328 So. 2d 574

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 9, 1976 | Docket: 1699710

Cited 3 times | Published

resides or where the cause of action accrues. § 47.021, Fla. Stat., provides that in actions against

Hartford Fire Insurance Co. v. Smith

203 So. 3d 1013, 2016 Fla. App. LEXIS 16707

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 9, 2016 | Docket: 60257356

Cited 2 times | Published

“in any county in which any defendant resides.” § 47.021, Fla. Stat. (2015). Section 47.041, Florida Statutes

Brown v. NAGELHOUT

33 So. 3d 83, 2010 Fla. App. LEXIS 4503, 2010 WL 1329701

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 7, 2010 | Docket: 2533641

Cited 2 times | Published

any county in which any defendant resides." See § 47.021, Fla. Stat. (2009). However, the Florida Supreme

Cardelles v. Catholic Health Services, Inc.

14 So. 3d 1025, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 5437, 2009 WL 1393474

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 20, 2009 | Docket: 1650888

Cited 2 times | Published

in Dade County where Cruz is a resident, see section 47.021, Florida Statutes (2008), and where the causes

Heartland Organics, Inc. v. MC Developments, LLC

8 So. 3d 1227, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 3968, 2009 WL 1153510

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 30, 2009 | Docket: 1654314

Cited 2 times | Published

2d at 540-41. This rule is an exception to section 47.021, Florida Statutes, which provides that a plaintiff

Peter v. Seapine Corp.

678 So. 2d 508, 1996 WL 482649

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 28, 1996 | Docket: 1470920

Cited 2 times | Published

of venue in Leon County," which was based on section 47.021, Florida Statutes, and that "[b]ecause the

Berdos v. Dowling

544 So. 2d 1129, 1989 WL 62397

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 14, 1989 | Docket: 1300894

Cited 2 times | Published

So.2d 206 (Fla. 1st DCA 1981), which held: Section 47.021, Florida Statutes, provides that, regarding

Vance v. Minton

444 So. 2d 1162

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 14, 1984 | Docket: 452077

Cited 2 times | Published

professional association[1] in Dade County pursuant to Section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1981), which provides: Actions

Perez v. Ferrell

932 So. 2d 388, 2006 WL 824906

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 31, 2006 | Docket: 1684838

Cited 1 times | Published

DCA 1969). In response, Mr. Perez argues that section 47.021as it has been interpreted by the Florida courtsshould

Mankowitz v. Staub

553 So. 2d 1299, 1989 WL 149616

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 12, 1989 | Docket: 435093

Cited 1 times | Published

in the county where the defendant resides. Section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1987), provides that where

B.C. Cook & Sons Enterprises, Inc. v. R. & W. Fruit Co.

512 So. 2d 980, 12 Fla. L. Weekly 1929, 1987 Fla. App. LEXIS 9763

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 7, 1987 | Docket: 64629584

Cited 1 times | Published

Dempsey, a defendant common to all of the causes. Section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1985), provides that “[a]ctions

Fogarty Van Lines, Inc. v. Kelly

443 So. 2d 1070, 1984 Fla. App. LEXIS 11397

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 18, 1984 | Docket: 64602164

Cited 1 times | Published

properly laid in either Pinellas County under section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1981) (because appellant

KURT GARDNER v. ALLSTATE FIRE AND CASUALTY and THE STANDARD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 25, 2017 | Docket: 6179305

Published

Additionally, in cases involving multiple defendants, section 47.021 provides that “[a]ctions against two or more

King & Akca v. Raborg, Jr.

165 So. 3d 764, 2015 Fla. App. LEXIS 7561, 2015 WL 2393650

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 20, 2015 | Docket: 2658322

Published

one of the defendants resides. 'See § 47.021, Fla. Stat. (2014) (“Actions against two or more

Pill v. Merco Group of the Palm Beaches, Inc.

56 So. 3d 890, 2011 Fla. App. LEXIS 3486, 2011 WL 890962

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 16, 2011 | Docket: 2361159

Published

33 So.3d 83, 84 (Fla. 4th DCA 2010). [2] Now § 47.021, Fla. Stat. (2010) ("Actions against two or more

Southern Heritage Hardwood Flooring, Inc. v. Sunstate Import Export, Inc.

957 So. 2d 1190, 2007 WL 704043

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 9, 2007 | Docket: 102281

Published

487, 488 (Fla. 2d DCA 1970)) (explaining that section 47.021, Florida Statutes (2005), gave defendant a

A-Ryan Staffing Solutions Inc. v. Ace Staffing Management Unlimited, Inc.

917 So. 2d 1000, 2005 Fla. App. LEXIS 20538, 2005 WL 3555844

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 30, 2005 | Docket: 64841634

Published

transaction of its business in Lake County. Section 47.021, Florida Statutes (2002), contains the venue

Lanza v. Lawnwood Medical Center, Inc.

878 So. 2d 491, 2004 Fla. App. LEXIS 11414, 2004 WL 1737095

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 4, 2004 | Docket: 64832004

Published

maintains its principal headquarters); see also § 47.021, Fla. Stat. (2003) (providing “[ajctions against

Aladdin Insurance Agency, Inc. v. Jones

687 So. 2d 937, 1997 Fla. App. LEXIS 975, 1997 WL 54804

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 12, 1997 | Docket: 64771084

Published

reside in different counties for purposes of section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1995). The statute provides:

Bone v. Bone

677 So. 2d 82, 1996 Fla. App. LEXIS 7633, 1996 WL 403005

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 19, 1996 | Docket: 64766250

Published

multiple defendants in different counties, section 47.021 allows the action to be filed in any county

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. v. McCrone

655 So. 2d 1319, 1995 Fla. App. LEXIS 6383, 1995 WL 353549

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 14, 1995 | Docket: 64756723

Published

in any county in which any defendant resides. § 47.021, Fla.Stat. (1993). However, section 47.051, Florida

Polackwich v. Florida Power & Light Co.

576 So. 2d 892, 1991 Fla. App. LEXIS 2519, 1991 WL 38135

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 22, 1991 | Docket: 64657459

Published

may sue in any county in which either resides. § 47.021, Fla.Stat. (1989). If one of the two defendants

Twigg v. Watt

558 So. 2d 194, 1990 Fla. App. LEXIS 1801, 1990 WL 29583

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 21, 1990 | Docket: 64648801

Published

Twigg, resides in Marion County. Pursuant to section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1987), and Enfinger v. Baxley

Horn v. Conway

511 So. 2d 730, 12 Fla. L. Weekly 2078, 1987 Fla. App. LEXIS 10019

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 26, 1987 | Docket: 64628999

Published

Hendry County. The trial court determined that section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1973), controlled. This

Ohanessian v. Thomason

510 So. 2d 1092, 12 Fla. L. Weekly 1863, 1987 Fla. App. LEXIS 9610

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 31, 1987 | Docket: 64628759

Published

county in which any of the defendants reside. § 47.021, Fla.Stat. (1985). Accordingly, because venue

Feeley v. Lagergren

478 So. 2d 496, 10 Fla. L. Weekly 2547, 1985 Fla. App. LEXIS 16693

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 14, 1985 | Docket: 64615531

Published

Kohen’s argument ignores the clear dictates of Section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1983), which provides: Actions

Rosenthal v. Selwyn

477 So. 2d 46, 1985 Fla. App. LEXIS 16417

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 22, 1985 | Docket: 64614807

Published

DCA), cert. denied, 232 So.2d 181 (Fla.1969); § 47.021, Fla.Stat. (1983).

Perkins v. Santa Cruz Construction, Inc.

473 So. 2d 801, 10 Fla. L. Weekly 1903, 1985 Fla. App. LEXIS 15183

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 8, 1985 | Docket: 64613514

Published

against Perkins as a co-defendant, pursuant to section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1983). The argument of the

Hancock v. Crippen

457 So. 2d 591, 9 Fla. L. Weekly 2210, 1984 Fla. App. LEXIS 15565

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 16, 1984 | Docket: 64607421

Published

establishing that venue was improper under Section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1983): Actions against defendants

Hancock v. Crippen

457 So. 2d 591, 9 Fla. L. Weekly 2210, 1984 Fla. App. LEXIS 15565

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 16, 1984 | Docket: 64607421

Published

establishing that venue was improper under Section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1983): Actions against defendants

Bryn Mawr Ocean Resorts, Inc. v. Key Largo Ocean Resorts Co-Op, Inc.

433 So. 2d 1218, 1983 Fla. App. LEXIS 19431

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 17, 1983 | Docket: 64598063

Published

under any of the causes of action. Nor does Section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1981), overcome the right

E.A.W. v. Orlando Regional Medical Center, Inc.

424 So. 2d 189, 1983 Fla. App. LEXIS 18690

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 5, 1983 | Docket: 64594413

Published

the right to be sued in its resident county. Section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1981), has no applicability

Finkelstein v. Godard

404 So. 2d 831, 1981 Fla. App. LEXIS 21360

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 13, 1981 | Docket: 64585518

Published

Mitchell, 190 So.2d 189 (Fla. 1st DCA 1966); section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1979); (3) appellants have

Methodist Hospital Foundation, Inc. v. Irvin

403 So. 2d 496, 1981 Fla. App. LEXIS 20860

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 21, 1981 | Docket: 64584991

Published

resi*498dency in Duval County. We disagree. Section 47.021, Florida Statutes (1979),2 makes it quite clear

Birdsall Shipping, S.A. v. Gallardo

390 So. 2d 437, 1980 Fla. App. LEXIS 18128

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 18, 1980 | Docket: 64578913

Published

were only amenable to suit in Palm Beach County, § 47.-021, Fla.Stat. (1979);2 Walt Disney World Co. v. Leff

Reliable Electrical Distribution Co. v. Walter E. Heller & Co.

382 So. 2d 1287, 1980 Fla. App. LEXIS 16452

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 16, 1980 | Docket: 64575793

Published

that venue is controlled by Florida Statutes, § 47.021, which provides as follows “Actions against two

Flanagan v. Department of Health & Rehabilitative Services

314 So. 2d 235, 1975 Fla. App. LEXIS 13734

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 13, 1975 | Docket: 64547229

Published

principal office in a different county. Fla.Stat. § 47.021 (1973); Amelia Island Mosquito Control District

Equipment Co. of America v. Davis

223 So. 2d 94, 1969 Fla. App. LEXIS 5637

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 27, 1969 | Docket: 64510039

Published

agree with appellant’s contention and reverse. Section 47.021 Fla.Stat.F.S.A. provides as follows: “Actions