Is a California Non-Resident Permit Valid in Florida?

Why

• California does not issue carry permits to non-residents (penal code § 26150 requires the applicant to be a resident of the issuing county/city or have a principal place of employment or business there where substantial time is spent; there is no general non-resident path).

s. 790.015 (as amended by ch. 2023-18) recognizes a valid concealed carry license from ANY state provided it was 'issued to the nonresident in his or her state of residence' and the holder is 21+ (18+ if servicemember or honorably discharged veteran) - no reciprocal agreement required, but non-resident permits (license state != residence state) do not qualify; such holders may still carry permitless if eligible. A holder who establishes Florida residency keeps recognition for 90 days only. FDACS still publishes a legacy mutual-agreement list, but the statute controls.

Carry rules in Florida

Your California habits may not match Florida's law. Check these three areas before you carry there.

• No proactive duty. Licensees must carry the license plus valid ID and display both upon demand by a law enforcement officer (s. 790.06(1)); permitless carriers must carry and display valid ID on demand (s. 790.013) - violation is a $25 civil penalty.
• Florida sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Florida allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• A person eligible under s. 790.01 (or licensed) may carry a loaded concealed handgun on their person in a vehicle; independently, anyone 18+ in lawful possession may keep a handgun in a private conveyance if it is securely encased or not readily accessible for immediate use (s. 790.25(4)).

Off-limits places in Florida

• Police, sheriff or highway patrol stations
• Detention facilities, prisons and jails
• Courthouses and courtrooms
• Polling places and meetings of the Legislature or governing bodies
• K-12 schools, career centers, and college or university facilities
• Portions of establishments primarily devoted to dispensing alcohol, and airport sterile areas

Frequently asked questions

Is a California non-resident permit valid in Florida?

There is nothing to recognize: California issues permits to its own residents only (penal Code § 26150 requires the applicant to be a resident of the issuing county/city OR have a principal place of employment or business there where substantial time is spent; there is no general non-resident path). If you don't live in California, look at states that do sell non-resident permits and check which of those Florida honors.

Do I have to tell police in Florida that I am carrying?

No proactive duty. Licensees must carry the license plus valid ID and display both upon demand by a law enforcement officer (s. 790.06(1)); permitless carriers must carry and display valid ID on demand (s. 790.013) - violation is a $25 civil penalty.

Does Florida limit magazine capacity?

Florida sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Can I carry in Florida without any permit?

Florida allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.

Does California issue non-resident carry permits?

No. California issues carry permits to residents only (penal Code § 26150 requires the applicant to be a resident of the issuing county/city OR have a principal place of employment or business there where substantial time is spent; there is no general non-resident path). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.