Need to Report a Code Violation?

Gigi Hortance, Building Services Administrator   /   Cameron Lowe, Building Department  Assistant

3577 South Ocean Blvd.
South Palm Beach, Florida 33480

Phone No. 561-588-8889 
Building Department E-Mail:  permits@southpalmbeach.com

If you would like to report a Code Enforcement Violation, you may do so by calling the Building Department at (561) 588-8889 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.,  Monday - Friday.

Per F.S. 125.69, the acceptance of anonymous complaints is prohibited. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can I report a Code Violation?
If you believe there is a code violation anywhere in the Town of South Palm Beach, you may report the violation by calling (561) 588-8889 or e-mailing: permits@southpalmbeach.com to report 1) a brief description of the violation; and 2) the property address and 3) complainant's name and address (per F.S. 125.69). 

I have received a Code Violation.  What should I do now?
Please review the Notice you received and take action to correct the issue.  If you have questions about what is required to achieve compliance, contact the Building Department who issued the violation for more information. 

I need more time to correct the violation.  What should I do?
If you are making a good faith efforts to bring your violation(s) into compliance but need more time to achieve full compliance, please contact the Building Department and describe your efforts, update the inspector on progress to date, and request more time.

I reported a Code Compliance violation and would like a status update.
Please contact the Building Department at (561) 588-8889.

Overview of the Code Compliance Process:

Step One: Receiving a Complaint or Observing a Code Compliance Violation

Code Enforcement receive complaints through a variety of sources, including in-person, via e-mail: permits@southpalmbeach.com, and via telephone (561) 588-8889.     

***Per F.S. 125.69, the acceptance of anonymous complaints is prohibited. 

Step Two:  Investigation

The Code Enforcement Officer must personally investigate the property in question. Inspectors use a variety of resources to evaluate compliance.  If an inspector finds evidence of a violation, they must document their findings via photographs and open a case.

Step Three:  Providing Notice

If a Code Compliance violation has been found, the Code Compliance inspector must post a Notice of Violation on the property, and send notice of the violation via Certified Mail. The property owner is given a reasonable amount of time to bring the property into compliance or contact the Building Department to request more time to bring the property into compliance.

Step Four:  Preparing a Case

An inspector must compile all relevant evidence in preparation for the evaluation of “legal sufficiency” by the Town Attorney assigned to represent the Town in Code Compliance cases. “Legal& sufficiency” means that the inspector has compiled enough evidence to establish that a violation exists, including evidence that proper notice has been given to the property owner.

Step Five:  Requesting a Hearing

Anyone receiving a Code Compliance violation is entitled to adjudication by an independent, quasi-judicial body.  In the Town of South Palm Beach, the Special Magistrate adjudicates Code Compliance violations.  A property owner with a Notice of Violation may be summoned to appear to the Special Magistrate Hearing.

Step Six:  Adjudication

In the Town of South Palm Beach the Special Magistrate is the independent, quasi-judicial body empowered to adjudicate Code violations for the Building Department. 

Step Seven: Mitigation or Lien Collection

A property owner may request a hearing before the Special Magistrate to mitigate their fines once they have obtained an Affidavit of Compliance. The Special Magistrate is the only entity in Town empowered to mitigate a fine amount.  After adjudication, the Town Attorney may seek foreclosure on a lien, a money judgment, or injunctive relief.