Page 1 - The Shores of Jupiter - October '22

Our Village Voice

VOL. 33 NO. 10 www.seabreezepublications.com OCTOBER 2022

Commissioner’s Update Bill’s Box

Speaking In Code
By Bill Thompson
By Commissioner Maria Marino Well, here we go again.
Your Palm Beach County government provides a Andy Rooney; remember him? He had a segment
wide range of services to the public. One of the areas I on one of the network channels some years ago. It was
frequently hear about from residents is the condition of, humorous, always about things to grump about. The
or activities occurring on a property. For those matters, I older I get the more I relate to him.
request assistance from the Code Enforcement Division. If you get up early, it is dark. The dog, Harley 2,
The role of Code Enforcement (CE) is to enforce the doesn’t carry a watch. He needs to relieve himself in
County’s Code of Ordinances and Land Development the morning way too early in the dark. I like to wait
Regulations in the unincorporated areas of the county until it is daylight. He doesn’t care. Now it is winter,
uniformly and consistently, to maintain our neighborhoods, and our ill-conceived Daylight Saving Time on Nov. 6 will fall back, so it will be
and protect our health, safety, welfare, and quality of darker longer. I rolled over this morning to find Harley 2 looking into my face. You
life. Municipalities handle enforcement within their know what that means. Slip on a pair of shorts, find his leash and walk him outside.
boundaries, following their particular ordinances and the Florida Building Code. Then he is ready for breakfast and fresh water.
The CE division responds to complaints and monitors open cases, working with Speaking of Harley 2, he is 3 months old. Little puppies are delightful but also
residents. They individually investigate and track inquiries, and seek compliance a pain in the tee hinny. He has a talent at finding and shredding paper that doesn’t
through the process outlined in Florida Statutes Section 162. The primary goal is to exist. He makes no distinction between used facial tissue and important documents
bring properties into compliance, and CE officers work extensively with property and correspondence. I find the evidence all over the floor in every room accessible
owners to achieve this. Our CE officers are required to obtain certification through the to him. That means, doors to many rooms have to be closed all the time, and
Florida Association of Code Enforcement. wastebaskets moved to countertops. That is something else to remember. Puppies’
Common code violations include zoning and use regulations, property maintenance teeth are like tiny razors, which means to furniture, they like to nibble fingers with
standards, overgrown lots, unpermitted construction, sign regulations and others that very sharp little teeth. In addition, they like getting under your feet when walking
you can find listed at https://discover.pbcgov.org/pzb/codeenforcement/PDF/Residential_ and nearly causing one to fall and or step on the rascal, to which he yelps sharply.
Property_Maintenance_Guide.pdf. With home ownership representing the single largest Despite any inconvenience, we love the little scamp, and he is expected to live
investment most people will make, one of the benefits of enforcing codes is to protect that with us, hopefully, for a very long time.
investment. By adhering to building standards and zoning codes, we can help enhance My wife says getting up and making the bed gives the day a good start, thus
property values, maintain neighborhood appearances, and assure safety. setting the day’s tone to be more productive. I don’t like making up beds, but I am
At any one time, each of the 45 CE officers are monitoring in excess of 6,500 sure she is right about that and a number of other things. An unmade bed attracts
properties. Some reported violations may be minor with simple remedies, yet others may me to get back under the covers for a little snooze. But rules are rules and she is
affect the health and safety of the surrounding community. Depending on the nature of usually right.
the problem, CE will involve other applicable departments and agencies. I try to practice mindfulness. One aspect is being intentional about where you
If a property is in violation, the owner will receive notification and ample due process
to correct the issue. Neighbors often feel that the “wheels of justice” move very slowly; Bill’s Box on page 3
however, CE is required to follow the statutes, which provides for a respondent’s day
in court. Once a Notice of Violation is issued, if the property owner fails to come into
compliance (the minimum time frame is usually 30 days), a hearing will be scheduled The Shores
before a special magistrate, where the county and the respondent can each present their
case. The magistrate can dismiss the case if they determine the violation is unfounded or
resolved; or, they will enter an order setting a time frame within which the respondent Annual Halloween Party
must correct the violation(s), and the imposition of fines, once the deadline has passed.
In 2021, CE investigated more than 13,000 complaints, resulting in over 10,000
notices of violation. Of those, 87 percent of the cases were brought into compliance Join us Sunday, Oct. 23 from 3 to 5 p.m. for our Annual Halloween Party sponsored by our
and closed, and were not taken to a magistrate hearing. HOA. All ages can enjoy three bounce houses (one for the younger-aged children and two for the
Code Enforcement officials acknowledge that each case is unique, and some property older-aged children), ride a train, petting zoo and free Kona Ice. We ask that parents supervise their
owners may need additional time to obtain a building permit, update site plans and pass children while at the event and do not arrive prior to 3 p.m. These events are not possible without
our community support. We are still looking for volunteers to assist, even if it’s only 30 minutes.
Commissioner’s Update on page 2 Please email TheShoresOfJupiterFL@gmail.com to sign up.

REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IMMEDIATELY

TO THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT
(561) 799-4445

Use 911 for emergencies only. Lock car doors.
Do not leave valuables in the car.