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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QbwDbWuNgHTo7B6tsy4N0VT1xPoX61ZwbOQv+OcTu6Ue8aEGQiWQcSIEQFPe3mEp
 SfsbvmCOGgubR0MKfRXrOQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001078596-09-000001.txt : 20090513
<SEC-HEADER>0001078596-09-000001.hdr.sgml : 20090513
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090513124432
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001078596-09-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090512
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090513
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090513

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HUDSON DENNIS S III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001078596

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10608
		FILM NUMBER:		09821379

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		815 COLORADO AVENUE
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 9012
		CITY:			STUART
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			34995-9012

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FLORIDA PUBLIC UTILITIES CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000037643
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED [4931]
		IRS NUMBER:				590539080
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			FL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		401 S DIXIE HWY
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 3395
		CITY:			WEST PALM BEACH
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33401
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5618322461

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 3395
		CITY:			WEST PALM BEACH
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33402-3395
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-05-12</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000037643</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FLORIDA PUBLIC UTILITIES CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FPU</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001078596</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HUDSON DENNIS S III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>815 COLORADO AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P O BOX 9012</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>STUART</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>34995-9012</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-05-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>775</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>12.91</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2836</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares were issued by Florida Public Utilities Co. in lieu of a portion of Mr. Hudson's retainer as a director</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Market price used to determine stock award</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Sharon Mehl as Power of Attorney for Dennis S. Hudson, III</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-05-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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