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Code Enforcement

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1. What is Code Enforcement?

The Code Enforcement Division ensures compliance with the City’s codes and ordinances relating to housing, overgrowth, open storage/care of premises, zoning, disabled/abandoned vehicles, minimum maintenance for commercial structures, signage and other City ordinances. Violators are provided time to correct violations and administrative hearings are scheduled for those that are not corrected. The Division’s Code Enforcement Officers are responsible for different areas/districts of the City.

2. How do I report a code violation?

• Call 407-877-5136 or 407-656-4111 
• Visit the Community Development Department in downtown City Hall (300 W. Plant Street), open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
• As of July 1st, 2021, Florida law prohibits code inspectors from starting an investigation for potential codes or ordinance violations based on an anonymous complaint. The law now requires persons reporting potential violations to provide contact information before an investigation can begin.  Please be sure to provide your name and address when filing a complaint with Code Compliance.

3. Are complaints kept confidential?

Confidentiality is always respected and a complaint may be submitted anonymously.

4. How quickly will a code compliance officer respond to a complaint?

Upon receiving a complaint during normal business hours, a code compliance officer will typically respond by phone or in person within 1-2 business days from received complaint.

5. How can I find out if any action has been taken on a complaint?

A citizen can call 407-877-5136 or 407-656-4111 and request a status report at any time.  If a Code Enforcement hearing is scheduled, the public is welcome to attend. This is a process that offers the property owner an opportunity to respond if corrections are not made within a reasonable time given by the notice of violation.

6. What happens after I file a complaint?

The complaint is forwarded to the code compliance officer responsible for the area of the city the violation occurred in. If the compliance officer finds a violation: 

1. A courtesy postcard explaining the violation and reasonable time to comply is left at the property. 
2. A case is opened and often a Compliance Officer makes a visit and obtains pictures of the violation. 
3. Written notice is sent to the Property Owner requesting compliance in correcting the violation.  If the violation was not brought into compliance by the time given on the courtesy postcard. (In most cases the violator complies and the case is closed). 
4. If the violator does not comply, the City has legal authority to obtain bids from licensed contractors and have the work done. Any fees paid by the City are then charged back to the Property Owner.  
5. The case is scheduled to be heard by the Code Enforcement Board.

7. What is a Code Enforcement Board meeting?

Cases where violators do not come into compliance within the provided time as designated by the Code Compliance Officer will be presented to the Code Enforcement Board. 

This Board can consider imposing fines for violations that are not corrected. This process is reserved for when compliance with the City Code cannot be achieved.

8. What is an inoperative vehicle?

Any vehicle that has any of the following can be considered an inoperable vehicle:  

• a current vehicle registration
• cannot move on its own power
• has one or more flat tires
• is wrecked, dismantled, or partially dismantled  

9. What is overgrowth grass?

When weeds and grass have reached a height of eighteen (18) inches it is considered overgrown.

10. Can I operate a business from my home?

A residence can be used for a business address only with the issuance of a business tax receipt.

11. Can I park a commercial vehicle at my house?

No, a commercial vehicle cannot be parked in a residential area unless parked in the garage out of site for overnight parking.   

12. Where can I park a recreational vehicle?

Recreational vehicles, such as motor homes, trailers, boats, boat trailers, jet skis, etc., must be parked to the rear of the house.  If you own a corner lot, it must be parked to the rear of the house not on the two sides that face the street.

13. What if the property is a rental?

Code Compliance Officers will always try and get voluntary compliance from the resident of the property first. Most rental agreements require the resident to maintain the property and, in the event the resident does not voluntarily come into compliance, the Code Compliance Officer will research public records to locate and contact the owner of record for the property. Contact will be made with the owner of record to notify the owner of the violation.

14. What can I do if I get a notice and do not understand what the violation is?

Contact the inspector that served the notice.  The Code Compliance Officer’s telephone number is located at the bottom of the notice. Code Enforcement encourages you to call, not only if you have received a violation but, to answer any questions you may have. Code Enforcement is here to work with the citizens to insure that our community will remain a highly valued place to reside. If you have further questions, please call Code Enforcement at 407-877-5136.

15. A vacant lot becomes overgrown with tall weeds. Is there a way to make the owner mow the lot?

City ordinance makes it illegal to allow grass or weeds to grow more than eighteen (18) inches tall. (This does not apply to land on which the natural vegetation has not been removed.) Citizens should contact the Code Enforcement division and provide information on the property. An officer will inspect the property and contact the owner of record. The owner is given ten (10) days, upon receipt of the notice or posting, to have the property mowed. However, if the owner of record cannot be located or does not mow the property, a pre-qualified contractor will mow or clean the property at a predetermined cost. The City will invoice the owner of record for the work done, plus administrative costs, and a lien will be placed on the property

16. I have received a notice from the Code Compliance Officer for violating one of the City codes. I don’t feel I was given enough time to correct the problem. What should I do?

Call 407-877-5136, or go to the Code Enforcement Division in downtown City Hall (300 W. Plant Street) before the deadline has expired, and discuss the circumstances with the Code Compliance Officer. Based on the circumstances the deadline may be extended.

17. If the City remedies a code violation, an invoice will be sent to the owner of record for the property. What happens if the invoice is not paid?

If the invoice is not paid within ten (10) days after the invoice was mailed to the owner of record, the City records a lien upon the subject property. After ninety (90) days if the lien is still outstanding, the City may start a foreclosure proceeding.

18. Are farm animals allowed in residential zoned area?

No. Residential zoning districts do not allow for chickens, roosters, goats, and all other farm animals.  

However, the city does allow for chickens only, if the resident follows stick code requirements and attends training classes to obtain a restricted permit for a limited period of time.  

Please see a Code Compliance Officer by calling 407-877-5136, or go to the Code Enforcement Division in downtown City Hall (300 W. Plant Street) for specific details to obtain a chicken permit.  

19. What is considered to be junk, trash and debris?

Any items, objects, materials, that are not properly stored, placed in containers or are spread all over the property in a disorderly manner.