Code Compliance Procedures

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Explanation of Code Compliance Procedures

A notice of violation is an official notification of the need to correct a problem at a given address. This begins the process for Code Compliance, including the eventual notice to appear before the Code Compliance Board. If corrections are made, an appearance before the board is not necessary. To ensure the accuracy of the process, all violations are re-inspected prior to Certified Mail being sent to the property owner to appear before the Code Board. If there is no compliance, the property will be fined and eventually liened. This is a serious mater, which could eventually hamper the sale of your property. Do not ignore these notices.

Special Note: If any life or health threatening code violations exists at a given property, it is the duty of the code officer to take immediate action on that violation, including the removal of the hazard. A courtesy notice will not be given, and costs incurred to correct the violation will be the responsibility of the property owner.

Hints and Highlights

Landscaping

Well maintained landscaping enhances the appearance of your property and helps keep property values high.
Lawn & swale areas must be maintained to be free of bare/dead spots. Any deteriorated areas must be re-sodded.
Lawns must be mowed regularly to avoid the lawn becoming overgrown
Trees over roadway must allow 14 ft vertical clearance for traffic. Trees & shrubs may not obstruct sidewalk
The swale is the area adjacent to the roadway and your property, the function of which is to allow surface drainage. Grass is to be planted on swales. No other type of covering of swale (rock or paving) is allowed. All sidewalks and swales must be kept clean, mowed and in good repair. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to do this regularly.

Trash and Debris

Trash and debris cannot be left in view of the public and must be disposed of properly.
Trash & debris includes items such as auto parts, appliances, furniture, building materials, tires, discarded paper & food waste, and tree clippings.
Bulk items may only be placed out on the night before bulk pick-up after 6:00 pm. Bulk that is placed out early will be stickered and removed by the city contractor at the expense of the property owner.

Fences, Walls, & Hedges

Fences and walls must be maintained in a good state of repair, free from damage, deterioration, and discoloration.
The finished side of fences must face outward.
Hedges must be trimmed to be no higher than four feet from the sidewalk to the front corner of the house and no higher than six feet from the corner of the house back.
Lifting and topping of trees is prohibited!!! Consult with reputable landscapers in your area.
Please contact the Building Department before cutting down any trees.
When constructing or replacing a fence or wall along your property line, you are required to pull a building permit. Continued maintenance of all fences and walls are the responsibility of the property owner and must be maintained in a condition that insures safety, functional use, and a proper aesthetic appearance. This includes repair, cleaning, painting, and/or the use of natural wood stains.
Please Note: Plywood is prohibited from being used for any type of fence or repairs to an existing fence.

Sidewalks

No branches are allowed to obstruct sidewalks – the homeowner must keep trees and bushes trimmed.
All sidewalks must be free and clear of damage and discoloration.

Building Maintenance Standards

The exteriors of ALL structures should be maintained in good condition, and should not show any evidence of deterioration, weathering discoloration, ripping, tearing, or holes.
There should be no evidence (on the exterior of the property) of algae, mildew or fungus growth, holes or cracks in exterior walls, peeling of paint, breaks, fading, or wood rot of any kind.
Awnings must be kept in good working order; properly anchored, painted, or cleaned as needed – canvas or fabric awnings must be maintained; no algae, mildew or fungus growth is allowed.
All exterior decoration and/or ornamentation must be kept clean and/or painted and anchored in such a way as not to become a flying projectile in high winds.
All building exteriors and roofs must be cleaned and/or painted, free of mildew and chipped paint.
Buildings, doors, roof, shutters, and wood trim must be free of faded/chipped paint and discolorations. If these conditions occur, the area must be cleaned or painted. Note that painting of buildings requires a free paint permit from the Building Department.

House Numbers

Addresses must be displayed in a conspicuous place on the front of all homes. The minimum size for all addresses is three (3) inches.
Address numbers must be in contrasting colors and must be visible from the roadway
Businesses with rear doors must also post the address number on all rear doors
REMEMBER: In case of an emergency at your home, a clearly marked address will assist emergency personnel to locate your residence quickly.

Paint Colors

Residents and businesses must obtain a free paint permit from the building department before painting any residential or commercial buildings.

Driveways and Paved Areas (Commercial & Residential)

Paved areas must be free of cracks, potholes, and discoloration.
Parking bumpers must be kept in good condition.
Multi-family and business properties must have clearly striped parking spaces

Pools

Pools must be maintained in a clean & sanitary condition to prevent it from becoming a breeding ground for insects, rodents and reptiles.
It’s required!!!!! The minimum fence height is four (4) feet. A gate latch must be equipped with self-closing, self-latching mechanisms to insure safety. Prior to the installation of a pool a building permit is required. Contact the Building Division at 954-730-3060 for further information.

Windows, Screens, & Screen Enclosures

Screens and screen enclosures shall be maintained in good condition. Torn or ripped screens must be repaired. Missing screens must be replaced.
When installing a new screen enclosure, a building permit is required.
Any boarded windows must be painted to match the structure.
Broken windows must be repaired or replaced.

Sheds

If you are planning to put a shed on your property, please remember that a building permit is required. Sheds must be anchored and secured properly, and must comply with standards set by South Florida Building Code so as to avoid becoming a flying projectile in high winds or hurricanes.
Sheds must be free of discoloration and deterioration.

Basketball Hoops

A permanent basketball pole can be installed on your property at least 10 feet in from the property line. Remember - check the deed restrictions or homeowner’s association documents before making changes, since many neighborhoods have more restrictive codes than the City’s codes.
Portable basketball poles should be stored on the property and not on the right-of-way as a courtesy when not in use.

Noise Ordinance

No person shall make or create excessive, unnecessary or offensive sound within the City. Construction activity may be performed between the hours of 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM of any weekday and Saturday. Lawn maintenance equipment may be operated between the hours of 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. Exception: Recreational uses operation is between the hours of 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM.

Animal Control

It is required that all household pets be on a leash and securely controlled in public. It is the responsibility of the owner of the animal to remove excrement.
The City of Lauderhill does have a pooper scooper law!!! This is required whether located on public or private property not belonging to the pet owner.
Broward County regulates what constitutes a household pet.
Livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, pigs, roosters, chickens and geese are prohibited.

Garage Sales

It is not necessary to obtain a permit to hold a garage or yard sale. However, a resident is limited to three (3) garage or yard sales per year. Each sale may be for no more than three (3) consecutive days. It is Illegal to place signs in medians, swales and/or right-of-ways or to tack signs on utility poles or trees to advertise the sale.
Garage sale signs can be placed on private property with the permission of the property owner.
One (1) sign is permitted on the property where the sale is being held. It is the responsibility of the owner to remove this sign at the end of each day of the sale!!!

Signs

Prohibited Temporary Signs: No person shall post, paste, nail or fasten any sign, notice or advertisement of any kind on any curbstone, sidewalk, upon any trees, lamp post, telephone/utility poles, bridges or any structure within the limits of the City. Pennants, banners, flags, whirlers, streamers, balloons or other devices intended for attracting attention of passersby are not permitted.

Certain signs may be permitted with a sign permit. Please contact the Building department for further information 954-730-3060.

Commercial Vehicles

A commercial vehicle is defined as any vehicle used and registered for business and/or displays outside lettering designating a business name and/or displays equipment used for a business. Such vehicles include: trucks, truck-cabs, trailers, semi-trailers, tractor cranes, power shovels, well drillers, buses, taxis, ambulances, hearses, and tow trucks.No owner or person having the use of a commercial vehicle that has a rated carrying capacity over one (1) ton shall cause or permit the vehicle to be parked on a right-of-way, whether private or public, adjacent to, or on property, which is zoned as residential.
No owner or person having the use of a limousine (regardless whether for commercial or private use), a commercial vehicle over twenty(20) feet in length, a bucket or lift truck, regardless of its carrying capacity, shall be permitted to park said vehicle overnight within any area zoned residential. No welding equipment or other vehicles storing, holding or containing hazardous materials or gases are permitted to be parked overnight within any area zoned residential.
Check with individual homeowner’s associations and Code Compliance Division (954-730-3070) regarding rules and regulations governing this type of vehicle (and the parking and storage of) within residential and/or commercial areas of the City of Lauderhill.
City Parking Guide Informational Flyer

Recreational Vehicles & Boats

A recreational vehicle is defined as a vehicular-type portable structure without permanent foundation, which can be towed, hauled, or driven and, in some cases, may be used as a temporary living accommodation (for travel, camping, and recreation). This includes, but is not limited to: manufactured homes, travel trailers, campers, motor homes, boats, ultra-light aircraft, or airboats, as well as boat trailers. None of these are allowed to be stored in a residential area unless in a garage, accessory building, or behind a fence enclosure. Boats and recreational vehicles must be kept behind a fence enclosure at least 60% screened from view. Check with Code Compliance Division at 954-730-3070 before attempting to store any such item on your property.

Abandoned Vehicles/Repairs

Any vehicle on public or private property that does not display a current tag is considered to be abandoned. These vehicles will be posted with a five day notice, and then will be towed if a current tag is not placed on the vehicle or the vehicle is not removed from the city.
Major motor vehicle repairs are prohibited in residential districts. Minor repairs, such as replacement of bulbs, fuses, and windshield wipers, changing of a battery or changing of a tire are permitted, But at no time should the vehicle be left unattended while completing the tasks. These repairs can be done by the owner to vehicles registered to the property.

General Parking Rules

Vehicles may only park on paved areas of the private property.
Parking is prohibited on front, side and rear yard areas.
Parking on the swale is permitted with the abutting property owner’s permission.
Parking any portion of a vehicle on the roadway is prohibited.
Parking any portion of the vehicle across the sidewalk is prohibited.
Parking is prohibited in fire access lanes.
Parking on median strips is prohibited.
City Parking Guide Informational Flyer

Business Tax

Prior to entering into or conducting business activities in the city, a Business Tax Receipt/Certificate of Use must be obtained.
Home based businesses must obtain a Residential Restricted Business Tax Receipt/Certificate of Use and comply with the applicable restrictions.
Owners of rental properties must obtain a Business Tax Receipt/Certificate of Use.
If you need more information please contact the Business Tax Receipt/Certificate of Use department at 954-739-0100.

Mitigations

All violations must be complied before applying for mitigation. If a mitigation form received and violations are not complied the mitigation form will be voided and a new one needs to be submitted once violations are in compliance.