By Robert C. Solera, Community Development Director

The City of Sunny Isles Beach as a municipality is responsible for enforcing the City’s Code of Ordinances. Within the organizational structure of the City, this responsibility is assigned to the Code Enforcement Section of the Community Development Department. My intent for this article is to increase awareness of Code Enforcement by providing information about its mission and purpose.

Mission of Code Enforcement

The mission of Code Enforcement is to educate and assist citizens, using modern Code Enforcement programs, to protect the Community’s health, safety and welfare so that, in cooperation, we may improve the quality of life within our City and obtain voluntary compliance.

Code Enforcement applies enforcement programs using a Community-oriented approach, understanding that, in the long-term, it is the most effective approach to gaining voluntary compliance from violators. It does not mean that our citizens are immune from notices of violations and civil penalties, but that warnings and fines are tools (or a means) to obtain compliance with City Codes.

Our goal is to assist residents, and the business community, through the effective and fair application of City Codes and Ordinances and to deliver quality service.

Purpose of Code Enforcement

Code Enforcement is dedicated to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens and visitors of Sunny Isles Beach. It coordinates and regulates the issuance of Local Business Tax Receipts as well as Certificates of Use for businesses that operate within City limits in coordination with the planning and zoning requirements.

Code Enforcement assures compliance with laws and regulations mandated by the City Commission.
Code Enforcement works closely with the Building Department, in matters of construction, alterations or remodeling done without a permit. Code enforcement officers are not certified building, mechanical, electrical or plumbing inspectors; for this reason our officers rely on the expertise of the Building Departments’ Inspectors to identify if a violation is in compliance with the required code.

Why the Community-Oriented Method of enforcement?

The Community-Oriented Method of code enforcement is proactive and decreases the number of penalties and fines that the City may otherwise levy. Combining good communications, disseminating information, acting according to due process, and utilizing intermediate levels of enforcement, reduces and/or eliminates recidivism or recurrence of violations.

Code Enforcement informs and educates the public in many different areas to assure the protection and well-being of the community. Looking for compliance more than for penalties, Prior to issuing Civil Violations, Code Enforcement issues warnings and disseminates information regarding new regulations adopted by the City Commission through local newspaper articles and via mass letters.

Authorization

Florida Statute 162, entitled “County or Municipal Code Enforcement,” authorizes the creation of local administrative boards with the authority to impose administrative fines and other non-criminal penalties to provide an equitable, expeditious, effective, and inexpensive method of enforcing any codes and ordinances in force in Counties and Municipalities. It is the intent of the legislature to promote and protect and improve the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Counties and Municipalities through the creation and implementation of these local boards.

Part I Section 162.05 establishes Local Government Code Enforcement Boards and their organization. Part I also creates enforcement procedures, hearing guidelines, powers of enforcement boards, administrative fines; costs and liens, provisions for appeals and issuance of notices.

Part II Section 162.21 establishes Supplemental County or Municipality Code or Ordinance Enforcement Procedures. This section creates guidelines for penalties, enforcement methods, and notices to appear.

All the provisions of the act are supplemental (Section 162.13). Essentially, the Act establishes minimum guidelines that are to be adhered to but the State also grants the County or Municipality the authority to enforce its codes by any other lawful means.

Staffing

The Community Development Department has a total of (4) Code Enforcement Officers who have (15) years of combined code enforcement experience and certifications from the Florida Association of Code Enforcement.

Did you know?

• For the convenience of residents and visitors, a Code Enforcement Complaints Hot Line (305.792.1760) was created where complainants may anonymously leave a message or voice their concerns to staff.

• Code Enforcement enforces all Ordinances and all Sections of the City Charter, along with any and all Sections that were adopted from the Miami-Dade County Code of Ordinances.

• The Ordinances that are enforced by the Community Development Department were enacted to meet specific community needs. These ordinances maintain the esthetics of the City of Sunny Isles Beach and, in most cases, protect the life safety and well being of residents and visitors.

• Code Enforcement Officers are available on a daily basis from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to respond to any questions and meet with private owners. To promote outstanding customer service, special appointments may be scheduled for Saturdays and beyond the Department’s normal hours of operation.

• Along with the Police Department, the Department monitors all false alarm related issues for commercial and residential areas. It also issues Alarm Permits for commercial and residential properties.

Communicate with Code Enforcement

Call: Code Enforcement Complaints Hot Line - 305.792.1760.

Email: On the City’s website, www.sibfl.net, click on Ask City Hall, then choose to Ask a Question or Make a Request.

The City’s Code of Ordinances is available online at: www.sibfl.net, under Sunny Life, click on Code of Ordinances Online.