All Laws Decoded

Eviction in Bay County, Florida

Where eviction cases are filed in Bay County, what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Bay County

Eviction court
Bay County Court (Fourteenth Judicial Circuit), filed through the Bay County Clerk of Court & Comptroller — County Court Court page
Filing fee
$185 tenant eviction (flat rate); $10 per summons issued, plus $7 per summons if the clerk prepares it Bay County Clerk of Court - Civil Fee Schedule
Notice before filing (state law)
3-day written notice to pay or vacate, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and court-observed legal holidays, substantially in the statutory form. Florida rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
$1,682/month HUD
Renter households
26,118 (33% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-28

Where eviction cases are filed in Bay County

Eviction cases in Bay County are heard by the Bay County Court (Fourteenth Judicial Circuit), filed through the Bay County Clerk of Court & Comptroller (County Court).

Court eviction page · E-filing · Self-help center

Clerk hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Central Time. Personal checks are not accepted. Filings can be made through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Bay County

$185 tenant eviction (flat rate); $10 per summons issued, plus $7 per summons if the clerk prepares it

Sheriff service and writ of possession fees are not listed on the clerk's fee schedule page.

Source: Bay County Clerk of Court - Civil Fee Schedule

The Florida eviction process

Florida state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Bay County:

  1. 3-day notice to pay or vacate (nonpayment) or 7-day notice (lease violations) or 30-day notice (month-to-month)
  2. Landlord files complaint for possession in county court; tenant served with summons
  3. Tenant files a written answer within 5 days after service and, for any defense other than payment, deposits the alleged rent into the court registry
  4. If tenant fails to answer or deposit rent, default judgment and immediate writ of possession; otherwise hearing
  5. Judgment for possession; clerk issues writ of possession
  6. Sheriff posts 24-hour notice (weekends/holidays do not extend it), then puts landlord in possession; landlord may remove property to the property line

Full Florida eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Bay County

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Panama City, FL HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$1,426
1 bedroom$1,480
2 bedrooms$1,682
3 bedrooms$2,169
4 bedrooms$2,689

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Bay County: $1,484/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; eviction procedure follows state law. City rules, if any, are on city pages.

Other Florida counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Bay County?
Eviction cases in Bay County are filed with the Bay County Court (Fourteenth Judicial Circuit), filed through the Bay County Clerk of Court & Comptroller.
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Bay County?
$185 tenant eviction (flat rate); $10 per summons issued, plus $7 per summons if the clerk prepares it.
What is the fair market rent in Bay County?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,682 per month (1-bedroom: $1,480).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.