Code Enforcement Process

Florida State Statute 162 and the City Code of Ordinances regulate Code Enforcement procedures. There are currently three different enforcement procedures in place.

Notice of Violation Process

Once the Code Enforcement Officer verifies that there is a violation on the subject property, the Code Enforcement Officer will send a notice of violation to the property owner. If the violation continues to exist, the matter will be scheduled to appear before the Code Enforcement Board or the Special Magistrate. The Code Enforcement Board or the Special Magistrate will determine whether or not a violation exists. If it is determined that a violation exists, additional time will be given before a daily fine begins to accrue. After three months, the fine will continue to accrue and a lien will be placed against the owner of the property, the subject property and any other properties that the owner owns within St. Lucie County. For more information about this process please see our Notice of Violation page.

Citation Process

In most cases, once the Code Enforcement Officer verifies that there is a violation on the subject property, the Code Enforcement Officer will provide the violator with either a verbal or written warning. If the violation continues after the time given to comply has expired, the violator will be given a citation for every day the violation continues. If the fine is not paid within the time specified, the case will be heard in front of St. Lucie County Court. For more information about this process please see our Citation Process page.

Nuisance Abatement Process

Once the Code Enforcement Officer verifies that there is a violation on the subject property, the Code Enforcement Officer will send a notice of nuisance violation letter to the property owner and will post the property with a notice of nuisance sign. The property owner will be given 10 days to come into compliance or to request a hearing, in writing, in front of the Special Magistrate or Code Enforcement Board. If the violation has not been corrected and a request for hearing has not been received within 10 days, the City will take corrective action. Either the City or a contractor hired by the City will enter upon the property and remedy the nuisance. A lien will be filed against the property for all costs plus an administrative fee of $100.00 for each violation the City must remedy. For more information about this process please see our Nuisance Abatement Process page.