What does my notice mean?
Code enforcement letters are written in their own language. Tick the words you can see on yours and get each one in plain English, where you likely are on the usual Florida timeline, and what to do next.
Florida · general information
Tick at least one word above and its meaning, your likely place on the timeline and your next steps appear here.
How this works
Most Florida code enforcement cases follow the same path, set out in Chapter 162 of the Florida Statutes: a notice of violation with a reasonable time to correct it, a reinspection, then, if it hasn't been corrected, a hearing before a code enforcement board or special magistrate, an order, a fine for each day the violation continues past the order's date, and a certified order that can be recorded and becomes a lien.
Each word you tick points to a step on that path. The decoder shows the furthest step your letter mentions as where you likely are, explains every word you ticked, and picks the most likely violation type so the request form opens with it selected.
It runs in your browser and nothing you enter is sent anywhere. It is general information about how code enforcement usually works in Florida, not legal advice. Your notice, your city or county’s code and the code office named on the notice are what count. For legal questions, talk to a Florida attorney.
Questions people ask
- What is the difference between a courtesy notice and a notice of violation?
- A courtesy notice is an informal warning, and not every city sends one. A notice of violation formally opens a code enforcement case: it names the violation and gives a time to correct it. Under Chapter 162 of the Florida Statutes, the owner is generally given a reasonable time to correct a violation before the case goes to a hearing, with exceptions such as repeat violations.
- What happens if I miss the compliance date?
- The inspector can reinspect, and if the violation hasn't been corrected the case can be set for a hearing before a code enforcement board or special magistrate. If they find the violation exists, an order can set a date to comply and a fine for each day it continues past that date, in an amount the order states.
- What happens at a code enforcement hearing?
- A code enforcement board or special magistrate hears from the inspector and the owner, looks at the evidence, and decides whether a violation exists. If it does, the order usually sets a date to correct it and what happens if it isn't corrected. The notice of hearing gives the date, time and place. For legal questions about a hearing, talk to a Florida attorney.
- Can a code violation become a lien on my property?
- Under Chapter 162, a certified copy of an order imposing a fine can be recorded in the county's public records, and once recorded it becomes a lien. Whether and how a lien is released is decided by the city or county. Ask the code office named on the notice, and talk to a Florida attorney for legal questions.
- Who should I call about my notice?
- The inspector or code officer named on the notice, at the number printed on it. Ask exactly what will satisfy compliance, whether a permit is needed, and how the reinspection is requested. For the work itself, a licensed contractor; for legal questions, a Florida attorney.
- Does this tool tell me my deadline?
- No. It explains the words on the letter. For the dates, use the deadline checker, and always go by the dates printed on your notice.
Other free tools
- Deadline checker: How many days do I have?
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- Florida Building Code lookup: Which part of the Florida Building Code covers my job?
- After-the-fact permit checklist: How do I permit work that's already done?
- Open & expired permit finder: Are there open or expired permits on my property?
- Lien search guide: Is there a lien on my property?
- Hearing prep checklist: What do I bring to my code hearing?
- Proof-of-compliance photo guide: What photos prove it's fixed?
- Contractor license guide: Which licensed contractor fixes this?
- Pool barrier checker: Does my pool barrier meet Florida's rules?
- Property upkeep checklist: What would a code officer notice at my property?
- Selling with open violations or permits: What should I sort out before I list the house?
Have 360 Home Improvements look at it
360 Home Improvements is a licensed Florida contractor: Florida Certified Building Contractor CBC1267336 · Certified Roofing Contractor CCC1335340. Tell us what the notice says and request a free estimate for the work it calls for.