Code Enforcement

Responsibilities

The City's Code Enforcement Officer is responsible for ensuring land use activities and structures comply with the minimum standards set forth by City ordinance. This involves:

Responding to citizen complaints
Routine surveillance
Staff investigations

In the vast majority of cases, voluntary compliance is achieved without a hearing before the Code Enforcement Board.

Common Violations

The most common violations involve:

Abandoned vehicles
Animal complaints
Illegal signs
License and permit violations
Overgrowth
Right-of-way violations

How are Code Enforcement Services provided?

Per Florida State Statute 162.06(1b), effective July 1st, 2021, any person making a code complaint must provide their name and address. Any personal information you provide will become part of the case and a public record. Any written or electronic communication material received or generated by the City of Safety Harbor is a public record per Florida Public Records Law. Florida Public Records Law requires these records to be made available for inspection by anyone who requests it.

Florida State Statute 162.06(1b) does not allow for the reporting of an alleged code violation to be made anonymously unless the agency has reason to believe that the alleged violation presents an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare or imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources. If you believe that this is the case, you must contact Safety Harbor Code Compliance at (727) 724-1555 ext.1705 or use the City Action Line.

I received a notice from the City Code Enforcement Officer for violating one of the City Ordinances. I don't feel I was given enough time to correct the violation. What should I do?

Call or visit the Code Enforcement Officer at City Hall located at 750 Main Street before the deadline has passed and discuss the circumstances with the officer. Based upon the circumstances, the deadline may be reestablished.

Who do I call to report an accumulation of trash or junk?

If the trash or garbage is located on the City right of way or street, call the Department of Public Works at 727-724-1550. If it is on private property, it is the responsibility of the owner to remove it. Code Enforcement will inspect the property when it receives such complaints.

Is there an ordinance against putting signs on the city right-of-way?

The only signs allowed on city rights-of-way are official city signs or regulatory signs. A-Frame (Sandwich Board) signs may be allowed with a temporary use permit from the city. All other signs in the right-of-way may be removed and disposed of by city personnel. This includes political advertising and real estate signs.

I have an older car I want to fix up. Am I allowed to store it on my property?

If it is operative and has a current license plate it may be parked in your driveway. If it cannot be driven or is untagged, it must be parked in the garage.

What constitutes an overgrown lot?

The city requires that grass or weeds on lots not exceed twelve inches in height (this does not apply to land on which the natural vegetation has not been removed).

Where can I park my vehicles?

In residential districts, vehicles are encouraged to park on the driveway or in the garage or carport. Please do not park on your front lawn.

Can I keep my recreational vehicle and boat on my property?

RVs and boats stored on private property are restricted based on the size of the recreational vehicle and the size of the lot on which it is placed. View the brochure (PDF) illustrating the city's restrictions.