County code inspectors on Monday swept through a mobile home park where a 2-year-old child died after falling into an uncapped septic tank Friday, and they found another improperly covered septic tank. ...more

December 1, 2009

Hillsborough County is sending a message about roadside advertising: If it's illegal, it will be gone. The effort involves members of the Hillsborough County Code Enforcement Office, along with code enforcement officers from Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace. ...more

July 28, 2009

After 25 years selling clothes at the corner of Columbus Drive and North Boulevard, Hakim Aquil said he deserves a little respect. ...more

February 11, 2009

After 25 years selling clothes at the corner of Columbus Drive and North Boulevard, Hakim Aquil said he deserves a little respect. ...more

February 11, 2009

Code Enforcement Oxymoron There is a lot of talk in county government about the idea of combining some county agencies to help save money. Combining agencies, reducing top heavy management and getting workers to respond to the real needs of the county they serve is of the utmost importance, especially today. ...more

July 11, 2008

AVON PARK — Satisfying that drought-thirsty lawn on the wrong days of the week or any time Saturday or Sunday could lead to an expensive civil citation of $100 or more, at least in Avon Park. Avon Park Police officer Jose Molina sprinkled 19 properties Sunday and Monday with citations, including a home on West Pleasant Street that received a $200 fine as a repeat offender. The rest were cited for $100 each. A business and a church were among those ticketed. ...more

May 5, 2008

LAKE PLACID — A dog is not always man's best friend — at least according to Leonard L. Jones, who said the noise generated by a kennel located about 400 yards from his home is driving him "insane." "I can close the door, close the vertical blinds, close the curtains and still hear the dogs barking in my bedroom," said Jones. "I have a right to peace and quiet." Jones and neighbor George Coyle both complained about the noise. Vicki and Mike Finch, kennel owners of Dawg House, 69 Dawg House Drive, were issued civil citations three times for exceeding the Highlands County Noise Control Ordinance. The citations were overturned by Magistrate Pamela Karlson, and because the code enforcement office contested those rulings, a rehearing is scheduled for Feb. 28. ...more

February 2, 2008

Ralph and Betty Hughes moved into their new home on Sandpiper Road in March. ...more

February 2, 2008

AVON PARK — The Avon Park City Council hired an attorney that will begin acting as the city's code enforcement magistrate by March. Avon Park Fire Department Chief Terry Feickert said that the code enforcement office already has 10 cases lined up for C. Parke Sutherland, a Bartow-based attorney who became the special magistrate. The new magistrate could dole out daily fines to people with dilapidated homes and other major offenders, an action the city previously couldn't do by taking offending property owners to court. "It just gives us a little more teeth," Feickert said. ...more

January 30, 2008

AVON PARK — The city's code enforcement office sent out 75 warnings to landlords for not holding rental permits since its enforcement began in December. The grace period ended last month, following the city council's passing of a minimum maintenance ordinance that gave code enforcement officers the right to annually inspect homes while also requiring landlords to get an annual $37.50-per-unit permit to lease within the city. Capt. Donald Simmons, Avon Park's head code enforcement officer, said he was going by "word of mouth" to find other landlords and rental properties in the city, since his office doesn't have an active list of residential rental properties in the city yet. His fellow officers sent the warnings so that landlords are aware of the requirement. "This is the first year this has been done in Avon Park," Simmons said. "This is brand new. A lot of people aren't aware of it." ...more

January 8, 2008