Code Enforcement Process

Code Enforcement Timeline Procedures:

  1. The City is split in two zones at NE 39th Street - North and South including the commercial district.
  2. Each officer patrols their respective areas on a daily basis.
  3. Citations are written by observation or by complaint.
  4. Our goal is for each property owner with a violation to achieve compliance.
  5. The officer always attempts to make contact with someone at the property in question. If they can make contact, there may be only a verbal notice issued. In most cases, a door hanger is left at the property where the violation exists whether contact is made or not. If the owner of the property has an out of town address or if it is a rental, a copy is mailed to the official mailing address on the Broward County Appraiser website. Photos are taken by the officer.
  6. In some cases, a formal violation letter will be prepared, posted on the property and mailed to the property owner’s official mailing address and/or any other party who is involved with the violation. Photos are taken by the officer.
  7. Each notice is given a date to comply. These dates vary according to the violation that is written. (i.e, overgrow landscaping - 7 to 14 days; landscaping/lawn replacement - 30 days)
  8. The code officer will check for compliance on the date set.
  9. If the violation is complied, they will close the case.
  10. In some cases, an extension of time may be granted depending on the violation and circumstances surrounding the case.
  11. If the violation is not in compliance, a second violation notice may be issued to assure that the property owner received the original notice. This notice is always a letter that is mailed to the owner’s official mailing address. In some cases depending on the severity of the violation, a third notice may be issued.
  12. If no compliance is achieved, a Notice of Hearing for either the Special Magistrate or the Code Enforcement Board is issued. Per State Statute, there need to be a 30 day period between the notice and the hearing.
  13. In some cases, this notice will also include another date for compliance along with the hearing date.
  14. The case is then placed on the agenda for either hearing.
  15. Complete packets with documents and photos are prepared for this meeting.
  16. At the hearing, there are a few things that might happen: a continuance can be granted to allow the respondent until the next meeting to take care of the violation; a final order with a date specific for compliance and a fine amount is issued; or the case can be considered complied.
  17. The code officer will revisit the property before each hearing or the date specified on the final order to check for compliance.
  18. If a final order is issued and the respondent fails to comply, a Notice of Hearing for Certification of Fine is issued. At this hearing, a fine is certified and a lien is placed on the property and filed in Broward County Records.
  19. If a Continuance was issued, the Magistrate or the Board will take action at the meeting date that was stated in the order. They can choose to continue again, issue a final order or comply the case.
  20. All open cases are revisited to check for compliance on a regular basis.
  21. The code officers follow up monthly on all the cases where liens are placed and take photos at every visit.

Current Code Enforcement Cases

View current Code Enforcement Cases through February 2023 (PDF)