Code Compliance

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The Code Compliance Division is responsible for attaining compliance with community standards such as property maintenance, land use, parking, signs, water restrictions and public nuisances established in the city's Code of Ordinances and Community Development Code. The division works to gain voluntary compliance through education, communication and cooperation.

Code Compliance inspectors respond to a variety of citizen-named complaints, as well as complaints from other city departments and jurisdictions. Code inspectors also self-identify violations by proactively patrolling communities throughout the city for possible violations.

Please Note: Per Florida Statute 162, any person who submits a code violation report must provide his or her name and address. In most cases we cannot investigate anonymous code violation claims without this information. If you believe a potential violation poses an imminent threat to public health, safety or welfare or imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources you can make a report anonymously. 

Political Signs

Political Signage 

Political signs, which fall under the city's 'temporary signs' code (Table 3-1806.1bcannot be erected in any residential or commercial right of way (generally considered five feet back from the street or curb line) or on public property in the city of Clearwater. The right of way is designed to be kept clear for a number of reasons, including public safety.  

Persons who place political signage on the right-of-way or on public property could receive a response from a City Code Compliance Inspector. The actions of the Code Compliance Inspector may include seeking voluntary compliance, removal of illegal signage and/or a Notice to Appear at the Pinellas County Circuit Court for non-compliance.  

Below are additional rules that explain what is permissible and not permissible regarding political signage in the city of Clearwater. 

Where Can Political Signs Be Placed On Private Property 

If the property owners are allowing political signage on their property, the political signs must be placed five feet back from any property line. To see property lines on residential and commercial properties in Pinellas County, you can visit the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's Office at pcpao.org.  

Size of Political Signs 

The size of a political sign on a residential property cannot be greater than four square feet.  

The size of a political sign on commercial property cannot be greater than 16 square feet.  

Height of Political Signs  

Political signs cannot be taller than six feet in height on both residential and commercial properties.  

Cleanup of Political Signs  

Three days after the election, political signs must be removed from the property.

Foreclosure Registry

Pursuant to the city of Clearwater's Ordinance Section. 3-1505: In order to ensure that all properties in the city with a filing of a Lis Pendens and/or an action to foreclose upon a mortgage or similar instrument are maintained, and in compliance with all applicable codes, those properties must be registered. 

The city of Clearwater contracted with MuniReg, LLC., a third-party company, to administer the city's registry. Effective immediately, all registrations must go through MuniReg. 

To register a property online, please visit: https://app.munireg.com/login

For mail-in registration and payment, please send (and make payment) to: 

MuniReg, LLC.
27900 Chagrin Blvd. 
Ste. 225
Woodmere, OH., 44122

For registration questions, please contact MuniReg at info@munireg.com or call 866-686-4734. 

Report a Code Violation

You can report a code violation by either calling the main line at (727) 562-4720 or by submitting an online complaint through Clearwater Connect.

Code violations examples:

  • Overgrown yard or trash in yard
  • Cars, boats or inoperable/abandoned vehicles
  • Illegal signage
  • Graffiti
  • Short-term rentals
  • Exterior surfaces
  • Businesses causing a nuisance or operating illegally
  • Watering during drought conditions

We will send an inspector to the property you have reported and if a violation is observed, the inspector will attempt to make contact with someone at the property, leave a card or send instructions on how to correct it.

 

Resolve a Code Violation

If there is a suspected violation, the code inspector will take steps to make the property owner aware of the violation. They may leave their business card or an informational door hanger at your residence or place of business.

If we do not receive a response from the property owner, a Notice of Violation will be mailed via certified mail to the property owner and/or occupant giving a specific amount of time to comply.

*If additional time is needed to correct a violation, please contact the code inspector.

If compliance is not achieved, inspectors have multiple options for enforcement:

  • Issue a "Notice to Appear" citation that will be heard before the Pinellas County Court.
  • Schedule the violation for action before the City’s Municipal Code Enforcement Board.
  • Schedule the violation for action before a special magistrate.

If a property is found in violation through any of the above-mentioned methods of enforcement, liens or fines could be assessed until compliance is met.

Compliance with city codes is meant to help ensure a safe and pleasant environment and to maintain the highest value for your property and neighborhood. Areas that suffer from deterioration, accumulation of debris, overgrowth and other nuisance, result in declining property values and create public safety issues. We actively enforce these standards to ensure that your community and city remains a safe, healthy and economically viable place to live.

Top 10 Most Cited Code Violations

Inoperative Vehicles - All vehicles must be operable (i.e., vehicle must run and have inflated tires) and display current registration or be kept in a garage. (Section 3-1503.B.6)

Overgrowth - Grass, weeds and undergrowth cannot be more than 12 inches high and cannot extend more than four inches over the sidewalk, curb and edge of pavement. (Sections 3-1503.B.7 & 8)

Debris - The accumulation of debris is not allowed anywhere on a property. Debris includes weeds, trash, garden trash, junk, untended growth of vegetation, undergrowth of dead or living vegetation, etc. (Sections 3-1503.B.5 and 7)

Signs - Signs cannot be placed on publicly owned land or easements or inside rights-of-way. This includes signs on utility poles, sidewalks, bridges, medians, etc. (Section 3-1804.M)

Outdoor Storage - The outdoor storage of all or part of any dismantled, partially dismantled, inoperative or discarded vehicles, RV, machinery, appliance, farm equipment, aircraft, construction equipment, personal watercraft, trailer, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, or scrap metal on any public or private property is prohibited. (Section 3-1503.B.6)

Grass Parking - One designated parking space may be located on the grass in the front yard provided it is parallel to the driveway and that access to the space is by way of the property’s driveway. If the designated parking space cannot be maintained as a grassy area then the parking area should be filled in with pavers, concrete, turf block or asphalt. Materials not permitted include crushed shell, mulch, millings or similar material. (Section 3-1407.A.4)

Boats/Trailers - Boats exceeding 20 feet in length and boat trailers exceeding 25 feet in length cannot be parked or stored in front of the residential structure building line and/or and in any right-of-way. Boats/trailers larger than that may be parked in a side or rear setback behind the front building line of the principal structure provided the vehicles are screened with a six-foot high solid fence, wall or hedge. (Section 3-1407.A.2.a-f and Section 3-1407-A.3.a-e)

Property Maintenance - All buildings must be maintained in a secure and attractive manner. All defective structural and decorative elements of a building must be repaired or replaced. Exterior surfaces shall be free of mildew, rust, loose materials, etc. Patching, painting or resurfacing shall be accomplished to match the existing or adjacent surfaces as to materials, color, bond and joining. (Sections 3-1502.B, C & D)

Graffiti - Graffiti should immediately be removed / painted over. (Sections 3-1503.B.14 and 3-1504)

Watering Violations - Water restrictions frequently change depending on drought condition. Refer to (link with quick links watering restrictions) for the most current watering restriction. (Section 32.153)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I have to leave my name and number or email address when I report a possible violation?

A: Yes, pursuant to Florida Statutes §§162.06, 162.21 and 166.0415, the City of Clearwater generally, cannot initiate investigations of potential code violations based on anonymous complaints. Persons reporting potential violations must provide their names and addresses in order for code enforcement agents or officers to conduct such investigations. However, if you believe that an alleged violation poses an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare or imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources, you may report such a violation anonymously by calling (727) 562-4720.

Q: How do I know my complaint was acted upon?

A: If you called in a complaint and do not see any results, please call us again (727) 562-4720. Our staff will put you directly in touch with the assigned code inspector.

Q. What is a Notice to Appear citation?

A: Code inspectors have the option of issuing a Notice to Appear citation. The Notice to Appear citations are sent directly to Pinellas County Court. You will have the option of a trial or paying the fine indicated on your Notice to Appear citation within the time period noted. Notice to Appear citations are used most frequently for water and other transient/itinerant-type violations and for repeat violators and/or violations.

Q: Is there any type of assistance available?

A: Our code inspectors will gladly work with you to come into compliance with city codes. However, if you need additional assistance, there are a variety of alternative options and/or agencies available, including the city’s Economic Development and Housing Department. Please call them directly at (727) 562-4030 for information on how they may assist you.

Q: Why did I get a violation?

A: Our code inspectors are tasked with monitoring their entire zone on a routine basis and may have observed your violation at that time. In addition, they respond to complaint-driven complaints. If you feel we have missed a violation in your neighborhood, you can submit your request online and ask for an inspector to investigate. In no way is this program designed to be used as a selective enforcement tool or to be biased against any one citizen, group or business entity. Our focus is to be fair, consistent and impartial in our regulatory processes.

Q: How do I use the Citizens Guide to Code Enforcement?

A: This guide has been compiled to educate the reader about the city’s ordinances as they relate to some of the most commonly violated codes. The goal is to provide useful and helpful information. The passages or code sections included herein may be slightly modified or abbreviated in order to fit the format of this guide. The complete version of the Clearwater Community Development Code (CDC) and Code of Ordinances (CO) can be found at municode.com/library/fl/clearwater.

*Code issues handled through other city departments are also listed, as well as the contact information for that department.