FAQS

**No, anonymous code violation reports are not accepted.**

As of July 1, 2021, per State law [162.21 (3)(b)], you must provide your name and address when reporting a code violation.

This information becomes subject to public records laws once provided.

The only exception is when a violation presents an imminent threat to public health, safety, welfare, or risks destruction of habitat or sensitive resources.

1. Contact the code officer whose name, email and number should be on the violation.
2. Start working on compliance immediately.
3. Many violations are self-explanatory (like overgrowth or exterior painting needs).
4. Ask the code officer for guidance if you need help understanding the violations.
5. After complying with all violations, contact the code officer to schedule a re-inspection.

The Code office can let you know if a case is liened and the current lien and/or fine. However for lien payoff requests and a comprehensive report of all debt owed to the City go to https://conduits.netassets.net/napp/login/login.na.

Code cases status and their meaning:

A - ASSIGNED - a complaint is assigned to a code officer for inspection. No outcome has been decided.

1 - FINDING OF FACT/CLOSED - Found in violation by the Special Magistrate, but you have complied. IF found in violation for the same code section, you will be issued a new violation as a repeat violator which could result in immediate fines imposed.

C - CLOSED/COMPLIED - the violation was found to be in compliance and no hearing was conducted.

C - COURTESY NOTICE - Instead of a violation, a courtesy notice was issued. If you fail to comply it can be escalated to a violation. If you comply it will be closed.

C - COURTESY NOTICE - COMPLIED - the courtesy notice was re-inspected and found to be in compliance. no violation will be issued.

E - ESCALATE TO VIOLATION - used as a status if a courtesy notice or complaint is found to be in violation. A new number will be linked to this one as an actual notice of violation with a number starting with CE.

I - IMMEDIATE COMPLIANCE - A courtesy notice that was complied with while the code officer was still on site.

I - Invoiced - There is an invoice pending payment.

L - LIENED/LAW - There are either fines running and a lien is filed or there were fines in the past and there is a lien filed.

N - CHRONIC NUISANCE - Property with a chronic nuisance on site.

O - OPEN (Verified) - Used for violations that will not go to Special Magistrate unless an appeal is filed. May have fees imposed.

S - SENT TO SPECIAL MAGISTRATE - This is an open case that is scheduled for a hearing at the Special Magistrate if not found in compliance before the hearing date listed on the notice of violation.

W - ADJUDICATED - found in violation by the Special Magistrate. Usually you have a compliance date and a fine will run if you do not comply by that date.

V - ADJUDICATED/COMPLIED - found in violation by the Special Magistrate, but found in compliance before any fines began to accrue.

 X - SERVICE ORDER - Part of the chronic nuisance process where the Special Magistrate has ordered the City to continue cleaning or cutting vacant lots or properties at the property owner's expense. Will have invoices due. If not paid they will be applied to the property tax annually. 

**How to Check for Liens:**

1. The City provides electronic access to lien information through Conduits™ system operated by Net Assets Corporation. 
2. Access the Online Lien Calculation Pay-Off Form here.
3. Reports include information on Utilities, Code Violations, and Receivables

**How to Check for Code Violations:**

1. Visit the City's eGovPlus online system here
2. Click on the Permit/Case Status card
3. Enter the property address and click search
4. Click on "code case" on the left side of the screen
5. Click on the case number for detailed information

It depends on the type of code violation.

Each type of violation have different times to comply. The notice you received will have the compliance date listed. In addition you can contact the code officer directly at the email and phone number on the notice or call our office at (561) 822-1465. 

You may call or email the code officer on your notice of violation. Or contact the office at (561) 822-1465 to request a re-inspection. 

If you received a courtesy notice, you may request an extension through the code officer and their supervisor by calling or emailing the code officer who is listed on your courtesy notice.

If you received a notice of violation with a hearing date, you may request more time to comply at the Special Magistrate hearing. The date of the hearing will be listed on the notice of violation.

Contact Code Enforcement directly at (561) 822-1465 to request an appeal.

To put in a lien reduction, apply here online.

Once the application is completed, upload any required documents and Notary forms on to the EPL system. The code officer inspects the property, Code Administrative staff researches for building issues and finance provides us with any outstanding debt due, other than the property fine. It normally takes approximately 60 to 90 days to schedule the property for a hearing after the receipt of the application. If the property has an open Chronic Nuisance case, There must be an action plan approved by the Chronic Nuisance code officer. There can be no open violations on any property owned by the same property owner requesting the hearing.

EPL Guide & Information City of West Palm Beach

You can report various code violations to the Code Enforcement Division, including:
1. Sub-standard housing conditions
2. Trash and debris ((remove)collection issues.) (Add) For piles on the sidewalk, swale or public property call the Solid Waste Compliance at (561) 822-2075
3. Yard maintenance problems (overgrowth, dead grass or trees/limbs)
4. Improper parking on grass on other unapproved surfaces on private property. For parking issues on street call the Parking Dept at (561) 822-1500
5. Property maintenance issues (such as exterior paint needed, interior items stored in the yard, broken fence
6. Businesses operating without a business tax receipt (BTR)
7. Signs or murals installed without approval.

If your neighbor's yard is consistently full of junk, you can report this to Code Enforcement at (561) 822-1465.

**Prohibited Items in Yards**

The city prohibits junk, trash, and debris in yards. Large items like auto parts, appliances, furniture, and tree limbs cannot be left in yards for extended periods.

You can report an overgrown lot in several ways:
Call the Code office directly at 561-822-1465
Contact the specific code officer for your neighborhood
Send a letter to the Code office (Add address)
Enter your complaint on WPBKEY

1. **Yard Maintenance Issues**: Dead trees and limbs must be removed promptly. Trees should be trimmed to avoid obstructing motorists' view or travel and to prevent becoming a hazard during storms.

2. **Outdoor Storage Violations**: Equipment, furnishings, or materials not normally used outdoors (indoor furniture, appliances, building materials) cannot be stored outside.

3. **Illegal Dwelling Units**: Rental units require proper licenses and inspections. Units added without permits are illegal.

4. **Sub-standard Housing Conditions**: The City has minimum standards for housing conditions that must be maintained (interior and exterior).

5. **Trash and Debris**: Proper disposal of trash and debris is required to maintain neighborhood standards. For collection issues and piles on the swale, sidewalk or public property call Solid Wates Compliance at (561) 822-2075.

Most code violations in the City of West Palm Beach do not impose an immediate fine.

If an immediate fine is imposed, it will be listed on the notice. If the fine is not listed, or you fail to pay the fine listed. you may be required to appear at a hearing before a Special Magistrate. You can call or email the code officer listed on the notice or call our main line at (561) 822 1465 for more information.

For disturbances that require immediate attention, contact the West Palm Beach Police non-emergency line at (561) 822-1900. The Police Department handles all noise complaints.

Yes, parking on unpaved surfaces on residential properties is against city code, Sec. 86-240.

All licensed automobiles must be parked on an approved driveway or paved surface in West Palm Beach. Unpaved parking is not permitted.

The West Palm Beach Police Department investigates noise complaints. Noise disturbances are covered under the City Code of Ordinances, Section 34-36, "Noise disturbance prohibited."

The Police non-emergency line is (561) 822-1900.

Yes, West Palm Beach has specific noise regulations:

Generally, it shall be unlawful for any person to create a noise disturbance by making, continuing or causing to be made or continued any unreasonably loud, excessive, unnecessary or unusual noise that is plainly audible.

In Special entertainment districts have extra guidelines fully explained in the City Code of Ordinances, Section 34-37. 

Construction noise is allowed as follows:
Between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Section 34-42, subsection (a)(2)a. of this section, the building official may authorize any construction activity at a particular site earlier than 7 a.m. and/or later than 8 p.m. The work authorized by the building official pursuant to this subsection (a)(2)b. may be conditioned upon notice to surrounding property owners and tenants.

Place your garbage can curbside the night before collection day but no earlier than 6 p.m.

The guidelines don't specifically mention fines for putting trash out on the wrong day, but following the proper schedule ensures collection service. For questions call Solid Waste Compliance at (561) 822-2075.

The City Code of Ordinances, Section 90-97 (Enforcement; fines and penalties) provides the authority for the City to place a lien on your property. If the lien remains unpaid the City may start foreclosure on your property. Some violations where the City remedies the issue on your behalf, it may be assessed to your property taxes to ensure the City recovers the money spent.

For properties declared a chronic nuisance, (City Code of Ordinance, Section 54-403) the City may perform required services and charge you for those services if you fail to provide an adequate action plan within 15 days. Fees may be assessed to your property taxes to ensure the City recovers the money spent.

Restricted vehicles include:

a. A motor vehicle or recreational vehicle of a height greater than seven feet;
b. A trailer or semitrailer (excluding a boat trailer), travel trailer and camping trailer, of a length of less than ten feet;
c. A truck with a gross vehicle weight of more than 8,000 pounds or a height greater than seven feet;
d. A boat; and
e. Any other motor vehicle that has been modified from its original design such that it includes any of the features of the restricted vehicles in this subsection.
Prohibited vehicles include:
a. A mobile home;
b. A trailer or semitrailer (excluding a boat trailer), travel trailer and camping trailer, of a length of greater than ten feet;
c. A commercial truck;
d. A truck tractor;
e. A bus;
f. A dump truck;
g. A commercial motor vehicle;
h. A park trailer;
i. Machinery, including but not limited to front-end loaders, back hoes and bulldozers; and
j. Any other motor vehicle that has been modified from its original design such that it includes any of the features of the above-enumerated prohibited vehicles.

Restricted Vehicles Include: 

Restricted vehicles are allowed if parked on paved permenat surface and screened on three sides (the building/home is one of the three sides).

Prohibited vehicles are not allowed to be stored or parked in any residential districts.

For on street parking questions, please call the Parking Dept at (561) 822-1500.

These answers below are more for derlict or junk vehicles.(I will add it as a question below)
1. Disabled and unlicensed vehicles must be kept in a garage, not in driveways or on streets.
2. All licensed automobiles must be parked on an approved driveway or paved surface.
3. No commercial vehicles/equipment are permitted to be parked or stored in residential areas.
4.((Remove) Commercial vehicles exceeding 10,000 pounds may not be parked in residential neighborhoods.)taxes to ensure the City recovers the money spent.

1. Disabled and unlicensed vehicles must be kept in a garage. They cannot be parked on a driveway or street.
2. All licensed automobiles must be parked on an approved driveway or paved surface.
3. No commercial vehicles/equipment are permitted to be parked or stored in residential areas.

You can check the record at the city's onestopshop website here.

To renew your Business Tax, click here.

Call the West Palm Beach Police non-emergency line at (561) 822-1900.

To find out who filed the complaint that brought code enforcement to you property, please file a public records request.