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Code Enforcement

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1. Can advertising signs be placed in right-of-ways or medians?

No. This is violation of the City Code. These signs will be immediately removed and disposed of by City staff, the violator will be placed on a violation call list and will be required to appear at City Hall to receive a Notice of Code Violation and/or Civil Citations.

2. Are complaints kept confidential?

No. Under Florida public records law, all complaints and information related to the complainant are public records.

3. How do I report a code violation?

Call (407) 571-8433.

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

A code compliance officer will typically respond within twenty-four (24) hours.

5. Are complaints kept confidential?

No. Under Florida public records law, all complaints and information related to the complainant are public record.

6. Can advertising signs be placed in right-of-ways or medians?

No. This is violation of the City Code. These signs will be immediately removed and disposed of by city staff, the violator will be placed on a violation call list and will be required to appear at City Hall to receive a Notice of Code Violation and/or Civil Citations.

7. Is it a property owner’s responsibility to maintain the right-of-way between the sidewalk and the street?

Yes. City Code requires the property owner to maintain the right-of-way extending from their private property to the road pavement.

8. Is an Arbor Permit required to cut down a tree?

Yes. An Arbor Permit is required to cut down, substantially alter, destroy, move or effectively destroy any tree in the City. This includes trees on single family lots as well as commercial and multi-family properties. Arbor permits are only issued for trees that are dead, dying or in imminent danger of damaging property. There are separate arbor permits for commercial/multi-family/homeowner associations and one- and two-family dwellings.

9. Is an Arbor Permit required to trim or prune a tree?

An arbor permit is required to trim or prune 25% or more of a tree. “Topping,” “lollypopping,” or “hatracking” trees is specifically prohibited. The tree’s normal canopy growth shall not be disturbed.

10. What are the penalties for illegal tree cutting or trimming?

The penalties are extensive and can include citations of $450 per tree, tree replacement at a 6 to 1 ratio and a $300 per inch cut payment into the City Tree Bank.

11. Is a commercial / multi-family / homeowner’s association required to maintain their site and landscaping?

Yes. Landscaping and the general condition of the site are required to be maintained in accordance with the City approved site plan. This includes, but is not limited to, maintenance of:

• The parking lot, restripe / resealing / resurfacing / street signs;
• Replacement of dead / dying landscaping;
• Repair of the irrigation system;
• Keeping the property free of refuse and debris;
• Repair of any dumpster enclosures and;
• Maintenance of the grass and edging.

12. Do I need a permit to have a garage sale?

No. However, signs advertising garage sales cannot be placed in rights-of-way.

13. Do I need a permit to put a balloon, banner or other type of attention getting device in front of my property?

Yes. An Attention Getting Device Permit is required. At no time can any attention getting device or sign be placed in the right-of-way.

14. Can I park a boat, boat trailer, camper, motor home in a residential area?

These types of vehicles can only be parked in a side yard behind the front plane of the structure, rear yard or stored in the garage at a single family dwelling. They cannot be stored in the street or in the front yard area, including the driveway.

15. How tall is grass allowed to grow before being considered a violation of local codes?

Grass/weeds must be kept at a height of six (6) inches or less at all times on a developed lot and on a vacant undeveloped lot the grass must be kept at eight (8) inches or less.

16. When is a vehicle considered a commercial vehicle and are commercial vehicles allowed in residential neighborhoods?

A commercial vehicle is one that requires a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to operate, exceeds 10,000 GVW, longer than 21 feet long, a bus that carries 16 or more passengers, taxi cabs, shuttle vans, limousines, equipment used for lifting objects, flatbed trucks, stake bed trucks, wreckers, farm equipment, dump trucks and earth moving equipment. These vehicles are not allowed to be parked in a residential neighborhood. Sport utility vehicles, family vans not transporting passengers for a fee, standard manufactured pickup trucks and dual rear wheel pickup trucks used for personal use are allowed to be parked in a residential neighborhood.

17. Are vehicles parked on a driveway required to have current tags and be driven regularly?

Vehicles parked outside of a garage must have current tags affixed to the vehicle at all times. The vehicle does not have to be regularly driven, however, if required by Code Enforcement a vehicle owner may need to verify the vehicle properly operates and is road worthy. For vehicles being repaired outside of the structure, wrecked, inoperative and dismantled vehicles may not remain for more than five (5) days and then must be moved within a fully enclosed building such as a garage or shed. A carport does not qualify as an enclosed building.