City Authorized to Take Action on Distressed Properties

by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino

City Council passed an ordinance to amend the Land Development Code to allow the city to abate nuisance or unsecured conditions at a Distressed Property and recover expenses related to the abatement of a property. If a property owner cannot or will not abate distressed conditions at a property, the city will be authorized to:

• Abate front, side, and rear yard areas so they are free of litter, refuse and debris. This will include pruning or removing overgrown vegetation and removing dead vegetation.

• Abate pools, fountains, hot tubs and spas so the water contained within them remains free and clear of hazards, pollutants, debris, fungal or plant growth and shall not produce noxious odors nor act as a breeding ground for mosquitos.

• Secure a vacant building so it is inaccessible to wildlife or unauthorized persons, which includes securing or locking all windows, doors, gates and other building or structure openings that could allow access to the interior of a building or structure. Broken doors and windows may be secured.

• Secure swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, at grade fountains or other attractive nuisances so they are properly secured and comply with the requirements of the City Code of Ordinances and the Florida Building Code.

• The city will seek to recover expenses incurred to abate violations at Distressed Properties through the assessment of liens and potential levy.

The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize city staff to take action to abate unsecured or unkept properties that have been declared a Distressed Property, if the property owner fails to abate the distressed condition at their property in a reasonable amount of time.