City of Riviera Beach
Code Compliance Division
Promoting clean, safe, and attractive neighborhoods through
education, investigations, and voluntary compliance with
City codes and ordinances.
Important Closure Notice
Department Closed for Training & Development
The Development Services Department will be closed on
November 13, 2026, for staff training
and development. Operations will resume on
November 16, 2026.
- Department Closed
-
- Operations Resume
-
Select the flyer to view the full-size notice.
About Us
The City of Riviera Beach Code Compliance Division is comprised
of an administrator, Code Officers, and clerical personnel.
Together, they are responsible for upholding the various local
codes and ordinances that promote clean, safe, and attractive
neighborhoods.
The process by which local codes are enforced is dictated by
Chapter 162 of the Statutes of the State of Florida. These local
codes and ordinances have been adopted by the City Council.
Code Officers are assigned to specific areas of the City called
zones. Each Code Officer is responsible for initiating
investigations of violations they observe in their assigned zone.
Reporting a Code Complaint
Complaints are generally handled within five working days.
Emergencies that present a threat to the health and welfare
of the community are handled immediately. Complaints and
follow-up investigations on previously written violations
have the highest priority.
Please have the address where the violation is occurring
available when reporting a complaint. All complaints are
recorded by address.
Notices & Voluntary Compliance
Investigations of complaints may result in a notice of
violation being issued to the violator. A notice informing
the property owner or occupant of the violations may also
be posted on the property.
To avoid further penalties, violations must be corrected
as directed on the violation notice.
If additional time is needed, the property owner and/or
occupant should contact the Code Compliance Division at
(561) 882-3505
and make a request to the officer handling the case.
Our goal is to obtain voluntary compliance.
Most reasonable requests for extra time are granted,
when possible.
Important Complaint Requirements
Name & Address Required for Complaints
The City of Riviera Beach can no longer accept anonymous
code compliance complaints unless the alleged violation
meets the exception described below. Individuals wishing
to submit a complaint are required to provide their name
and address.
The 2021 Florida legislative session passed Senate Bill (SB) 60,
entitled County and Municipal Code Enforcement. SB 60 amended
Chapter 162 of the Florida Statutes to prohibit code compliance
officers from initiating a code compliance action based on an
anonymous complaint.
Exception for anonymous complaints:
A code officer must have reason to believe the violation
presents an imminent threat to public health, safety, or
welfare, or that there is a threat of imminent destruction
of habitat or sensitive resources.
SB 60 became effective July 1, 2021.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Penalties
If violations are not corrected by the property owner,
the Code Compliance Division prepares the case for additional
enforcement action before a Special Master or County Court judge.
Special Magistrate
The Special Magistrate is an attorney in good standing with the
Florida Bar who is appointed by the City Council to serve in the
capacity authorized under Chapter 162 of the Florida Statutes.
The Special Magistrate is authorized to hear and rule on evidence
pertaining to charges of Code Compliance violations as reported
by Code Compliance Officers.
The quasi-judicial hearings are conducted in the manner dictated
by Chapter 162. Special masters can issue fines up to
$250 a day per violation for non-compliance,
or up to $500 per day per violation for
repeat violations.
Hearing Schedule
Special Magistrate hearings take place on the
third Tuesday of each month, excluding December.
View the full list of dates below.
Special Magistrate Hearing Agendas
Select the file browser drop-down menu below to view agendas.
Listing files in 'Special Magistrate Hearing Agendas'
Notice to Appear
In some cases, a summons to appear before a judge in County Court
may be issued to a violator. The judge will hear the case, which
may result in a fine or other legal action and payment of court
costs.
Top Ten Code Violations
Learn about the most frequent code violations in Riviera Beach
and view photo examples in the guide below.