Municipal Law
Municipal Code Enforcement And Favorable Outcomes
Municipal codes and municipal code enforcement vary by city, state and by county. Navigating the code can be difficult when it comes to disputes in areas such as zoning, public health code, public safety codes and illegal dumping.
Additionally, as a business, you may face issues such as mixed land use, environmental impact studies, land development, public hearings and appeals.
At Michael Garcia, P.A., we defend clients in Fort Lauderdale and throughout Florida who have received citations or are facing code violations for their homes or business.
As a former assistant city attorney for several municipalities, attorney Michael Garcia has a deep understanding of how municipalities work.
Violations and citations can include residential real estate or commercial property, including:
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Home or place of business issues:
Construction materials or repair, including wiring and plumbing that fail to meet code.
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Abandoned cars:
If your vehicles are unable to start or drive or are missing parts and are on the property, you may be susceptible to fines and violations.
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Unsafe structures:
Rotting wood, collapsing roofs and walls or outbuildings that are in states of disrepair or ruin may violate zoning and public safety codes.
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Nuisance lots:
Overgrown, unkempt, dead and dying landscaping can all cause a citation to be issued.
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Zoning issues:
You may have a boundary issue of improper boat storage, lawn maintenance or recreation vehicles.
If you are a resident, business owner or an out-of-town landowner or property owner and have received a citation from the city for violating a municipal code and you feel it is unjust, it may be in your best interest to contact an attorney.
At Michael Garcia, P.A., we will protect your rights as a property owner and work in your defense. In the case of a hearing or appeal, we will vigorously pursue a positive resolution for your case.
What Constitutes A Nuisance?
Of course the best way to avoid large fines, civil infractions and misdemeanors is to come into compliance with the code.
However, once the issue moves to the administrative proceedings, petitions for warrant stage or if a summary abatement has been filed, it may be in your best interest to have legal representation.
Administrative enforcement is a nonjudicial hearing for nuisance abatement. This is your opportunity to be heard and to accurately and effectively state your case. We can help assess whether or not you are being singled out and then work with you to decide the best course of action for the most expedient remedy to the issue.
When facing administrative civil penalties cases, for example where the county or city wants to charge the property owner hundreds or thousands of dollars a day for a continuing violation, contacting an attorney can be paramount in a faster and cost-effective remedy.
Larger cities can use code enforcement tools to eliminate blight and bring homeowners and business owners into compliance. But cities also generate revenue from code enforcement, not compliance, so it serves the city to act aggressively.
If you feel your county or city is abusing their discretion and turning infractions into major code enforcement violations, contacting lawyer Michael Garcia, P.A., is the first step in ensuring your rights are protected. Call today at 954-526-9811 or contact us online.