Page 5 - Abacoa Community News - October '22

Abacoa, Page 5

GOverNmeNt Abacoa Green Market from page 1

Commissioner’s Update enhancements to bring out more friends and families
This season they will be rolling out a few new

with nonprofit highlights, themed markets and young
Speaking In Code on the nature of the problem, CE will involve other applicable entrepreneurs. They will also bring back their loyalty
departments and agencies. card program where you have the chance to receive gift
By Commissioner If a property is in violation, the owner will receive certificates to local restaurants and vendors of the market.
Maria Marino notification and ample due process to correct the issue.
Your Palm Beach County Neighbors often feel that the “wheels of justice” move very
government provides a wide slowly; however, CE is required to follow the statutes, which
range of services to the provides for a respondent’s day in court. Once a Notice of
public. One of the areas I Violation is issued, if the property owner fails to come into
frequently hear about from compliance (the minimum time frame is usually 30 days), a
residents is the condition of, hearing will be scheduled before a special magistrate, where
or activities occurring on a the county and the respondent can each present their case.
property. For those matters, The magistrate can dismiss the case if they determine the
I request assistance from the violation is unfounded or resolved; or, they will enter an
Code Enforcement Division. order setting a time frame within which the respondent must
The role of Code Enforcement (CE) is to enforce the County’s correct the violation(s), and the imposition of fines, once the
Code of Ordinances and Land Development Regulations in the deadline has passed.
unincorporated areas of the county uniformly and consistently, In 2021, CE investigated more than 13,000 complaints,
to maintain our neighborhoods, and protect our health, safety, resulting in over 10,000 notices of violation. Of those, 87
welfare, and quality of life. Municipalities handle enforcement percent of the cases were brought into compliance and closed,
within their boundaries, following their particular ordinances and were not taken to a magistrate hearing.
and the Florida Building Code. Code Enforcement officials acknowledge that each case
The CE division responds to complaints and monitors is unique, and some property owners may need additional
open cases, working with residents. They individually time to obtain a building permit, update site plans and pass
investigate and track inquiries, and seek compliance through inspections for a particular improvement. If the owner
the process outlined in Florida Statutes Section 162. The demonstrates they are making an effort to comply, the
primary goal is to bring properties into compliance, and CE division will allow reasonable time for completion of the
officers work extensively with property owners to achieve necessary steps.
this. Our CE officers are required to obtain certification If you live in a homeowners or property owners
through the Florida Association of Code Enforcement. association, your management company will likely handle
Common code violations include zoning and use regulations, the process to correct problems on properties that are out
property maintenance standards, overgrown lots, unpermitted of compliance with your bylaws. Additionally, if your
construction, sign regulations and others that you can find community is located in the unincorporated area and your
listed at https://discover.pbcgov.org/pzb/codeenforcement/PDF/ association or neighborhood group would like a presentation
Residential_Property_Maintenance_Guide.pdf. With home on code enforcement and typical issues that arise, let me
ownership representing the single largest investment most know, and I can arrange for a speaker.
people will make, one of the benefits of enforcing codes is to Since violations run with the land, when you are buying
protect that investment. By adhering to building standards and a property, it is important for you to work with your realtor
zoning codes, we can help enhance property values, maintain and the seller to verify that all structures and improvements
neighborhood appearances, and assure safety. have the required permits and inspections. It may save you
At any one time, each of the 45 CE officers are monitoring a lot of aggravation later.
in excess of 6,500 properties. Some reported violations may As always, if there is any way I can assist you, please
be minor with simple remedies, yet others may affect the contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at mmarino@
health and safety of the surrounding community. Depending pbcgov.org.

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