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.
The Code Officers are assigned to specific areas of the City called ZONES. Each Code Officer is responsible for initiating investigations on violations they observe in their ZONE. Complaints are generally handled in 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.
Complaints may be called in to the Code Compliance Division between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, by calling (561) 882-3505. Saturday hours are between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. If you call to file a complaint, please be sure to have on hand the address where the violation is occurring. This is important because all complaints are recorded by address.
Investigations of complaints may result in a notice of violation being issued to the violator. In addition, a notice informing the property owner or occupant of the violations may be posted on the property.
To avoid further penalties, violations must be corrected as directed on the violation notice. If additional time is needed to correct the violation, the property owner and/or occupant should contact the Code Compliance Division at 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.
***NOTICE***
In response to the amended Florida Statute, the City of Riviera Beach can no longer accept anonymous code compliance complaints unless the alleged violation meets the noted exception below. Individuals wishing to submit a complaint are required to provide their name and address. Thank you for cooperation.
The 2021 Florida legislative session passed Senate Bill (SB) 60 entitled County and Municipal Code Enforcement. SB 60 amends Florida Statute Chapter 162 prohibiting code compliance officers from initiating a code compliance action based on an anonymous complaint. Individuals wishing to submit a complaint are required to provide their name and address. An exception was provided permitting anonymous complaints only if a code officer has reason to believe the violation presents an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare or there is a threat of imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources. SB60 is effective on July 1, 2021.
PENALTIES
If violations are not corrected by the property owner, the Code Compliance Division prepares the case 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. He or she is authorized to hear and rule on evidence pertaining to charges of Code Compliance violations as reported by the 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.
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.