The Polk City Florida website is undergoing modifications to provide enhanced access to documents for disabled individuals who are visually impaired and to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to make reasonable accommodations. While these modifications are being made many documents have been removed. If you would like to obtain a document not currently provided on the website, please contact our City Manager, Patricia Jackson at (863) 984-1375 or patricia.jackson@mypolkcity.org. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we implement these changes.

Code Enforcement

Code Enforcement Department Monthly Reports

Responsibilities

  • Evaluate properties for compliance with City Ordinances.
  • Receive and evaluate complaints involving violations of city ordinances.
  • Investigate minimum housing violations and complaints.
  • Observe and remove unauthorized signs in the public right-of-way.
  • Answer questions and concerns of the public regarding city ordinances.

The code enforcement hearing officer post was created to enforce the provisions of city ordinances pursuant to Florida Statutes ch. 162. It is the intent of the officer to promote, protect, and improve the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the city by providing an equitable, expeditious, effective, and inexpensive method of enforcing city ordinances.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Code Enforcement

Florida Statutes, Title XI, Chapter 162(8) states: ” The provisions of this section are additional and supplemental means of enforcing county or municipal codes or ordinances and may be used for the enforcement of any code or ordinance, or for the enforcement of all codes and ordinances.” City Publications and Forms

Should you wish to file a complaint you may do so by using the complaint form located in this website or by calling the Code Enforcement Officer at (863) 984-1375 x231. Fill out the form and then mail it, fax it or drop it off in the Utilities mailbox. Code Enforcement will evaluate the complaint.

The complaint form may be downloaded at this blue hyperlink: Code Enforcement Complaint Form

Yes, The public may download the complaint form and send it to the city by identified means. The Complaint form can be downloaded at this hyperlink: Code Enforcement Complaint Form

  • Code enforcement is initiated by a complaint from a citizen or city review by staff.
  • Initially an informational letter is left at the property advising the occupant of the violation. The occupant is generally given seven days to correct the problem.
  • If uncorrected the next stop is a Notice of Violation which is sent Certified and 1st Class mail to the property owner. The letter identifies what the violation is and advises how to correct it. A time frame is given for correction depending on the seriousness of the violation.
  • Should the violation continue to be uncorrected a Notice to Appear at the Code Enforcement Hearing is sent to the owner via Certified and 1st class mail. Attendance is not mandatory; however failure to attend may affect the owner’s ability to appeal the Findings of Fact. It is at this point a fine may be assigned and a lien on the property imposed.
  • Should the violation continue to be uncorrected at some point (a minimum of three months after the lien is filed) the City may choose to foreclose on the property. Homestead properties can not be foreclosed on, but the lien will remain on file and should the property be sold the lien will be satisfied from the money transferred during the sale of the property at closing.
  • Property owners may request a fine abatement or reduction by contacting the Code Enforcement Officer and requesting to be placed on the agenda for a Code Enforcement Hearing. Case will be reviewed by the special magistrate.
  • All actions taken by the Special Magistrate and the Code Enforcement Officer can be reviewed by a court.

Polk City requires that all vehicles and trailers be registered. Vehicles or trailers without license plates can be declared derelict or abandoned.

Vehicles must appear to be operable. Vehicles which have been left in a inoperable state for greater than 72 hours will be identified as being in violation.

Trailers and RV’s if stored near your residence must be at least five feet behind the front edge of the house. If you live on a corner the trailer must be five feet behind the walls facing the streets.

So long as the tire does not have a rim affixed you may schedule a pick up by calling Polk City Utilities. Appliances may also be scheduled for pick up by calling (863)984-8423

Junk is defined as: “any personal property that has only a nominal value or of little significance, including, but not limited to, pieces of old cable or cordage, mats, swabs or oakum, old iron, glass, paper or other waste or secondhand, worn or discarded articles, or other refuse of any nature.” This being said all you have to do is ask yourself: “Would I want to see this item in my neighbors yard?” If the answer is no…then it is junk.

Contact Information

Kathy Delp
Development Services Director
kathy.delp@mypolkcity.org

Melanie McVay
Code Investigator
Melanie.McVay@mypolkcity.org

123 Broadway Blvd SE
Polk City, FL 33868

Ph: 863-984-1375 ext 232
Fx: 863-984-2334

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