Code Enforcement
The department's Code Enforcement division is responsible for the enforcement of City of Sunrise codes and ordinances designed to protect the well being of the community and maintain quality standards.
To report a code violation, please call the City's Code Enforcement Hotline at (954) 572-2344 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Code Enforcement Special Magistrate
In accordance with Florida Statutes Chapter 162, code enforcement cases in the City of Sunrise are heard before a Special Magistrate. Special Magistrate hearings are scheduled for the third Monday of each month at 2:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the City's Building & Code Enforcement Department, located at 1607 NW 136 Avenue, Building B. (Please follow posted signs.) For additional information, contact the Clerk to the Special Magistrate at (954) 572-2347.
Agendas for Special Magistrate hearings are available in PDF format:
August 18, 2008: Special Magistrate Agenda
Common Code Violations
For descriptions of the City's most common code violations, please refer to the division's Baker's Dozen, listed below. Details can be found in the City's complete Code of Ordinances, provided online at www.municode.com.
1. Garbage
 According to Section 9-31(a)(1) of City Code, all yards, swale areas, walkways, driveways, parking
areas, vacant lots and landscaped areas must be free of refuse and debris.
According to Section 12-5, all garbage and/or debris must be placed in sturdy plastic bags and
securely tied before being placed in a trashcan or dumpster.
2. Grass
According to Section 9-31-(a)(2), vacant land at least 300' from a developed residential parcel must not
have grass or weed growth over 12" in height.
According to Section 9-31-(a)(3), vacant or developed land within 300' of a developed residential parcel
must not have grass or weed growth over 6" in height.
3. Occupational Licenses
According to Section 7-27(1), any person who maintains a permanent business location or branch
office within the City must obtain an occupational license.
According to Section 7-34(c), occupational licenses are considered delinquent if not renewed when due (on or before October 1 of each year). As such, they are subject to a delinquent penalty of 10% for the month of October, plus an additional 5% for each month of delinquency until paid.
4. Inoperative Vehicles
According to Section 9-51(b), junked and/or inoperative vehicles and parts (unless authorized in
conjunction with a business operated pursuant to City laws) must be removed from public or private
property, placed in an enclosed garage or carport, maintain a current license tag, or made operative.
5. Exterior Walls & Roofs
According to Section 17-12(6), all exterior wall surfaces subject to deterioration shall be properly
maintained and protected from the elements by paint or other industry approved protective coating
applied in a workmanlike fashion. Prior to application, paint colors used for commercial properties
must be approved by the Planning & Development Department in accordance with Section 16-97.
According to Section 17-12(7), roofs shall be structurally sound and weathertight, and shall be
adequate to prevent rainwater from entering or causing dampness in any portion of the structure. Roofs
shall be maintained to minimize surface discoloration caused by mildew, mold, oxidation or other
blemish.
6. Swimming Pools
According to Section 13.5-6, swimming pools shall at all times be maintained in a sanitary and safe
condition.
According to Section 13.5-2, all swimming pools require a safety barrier that meets the requirements of
the City's land development code. During construction, a temporary safety barrier must be used. Safety
barriers should enclose the pool completely, and - in most cases - must be at least 6' in height.
Surrounding gates must be locked when the pool is not in use.
According to Section 13.5-3, before any work is commenced, permits must be secured for swimming
pools and safety barriers. If a barrier that meets City requirements already encloses the premises, a
safety barrier permit will not be required.
According to Section 13.5-4, safety barriers must be impenetrable and/or nonclimbable.
According to Section 13.5-8, safety barriers must be maintained free of any defects that will allow
unrestricted access to the swimming pool.
According to Section 13.5-9, swimming pools and safety barriers that are not constructed or maintained in accordance with the standards set forth in this chapter are public nuisances and subject to abatement and enforcement procedures.
7. Building Permits
According to Section 104 of Florida Building Code - available online at www.floridabuilding.org - it
is unlawful to construct, alter, demolish or repair a structure or portion of a structure - or to install or alter
any code-regulated equipment - without first having filed an application and obtained a permit.
8. Landscaping
According to Section 9-31(a)(5), all yards, swale areas, walkways, driveways, parking areas, vacant lots
and landscape areas shall be maintained reasonably free of weeds and foreign matter, and in
reasonably healthy condition. Dead material, including trees, should be replaced in accordance with
landscape code.
9. Fences
According to Section 16-191(d)(7), all fences must be constructed with the finished side of the fence
facing the abutting property or the street, as applicable, and must be firmly anchored to the land so as
not to create a hazard. Fences must be properly maintained so as not to become unsafe or unsightly.
10. Building Maintenance
According to Section 17-4, City code requirements pertaining to the maintenance of buildings apply to
all buildings and/or structures - those already existing and those yet to be constructed. All buildings
and/or structures and parts thereof must be maintained in a safe condition, with all required devices or
safeguards in good working order.
11. Animals
According to Section 4-28, no one within the corporate limits of the City may keep a dog that howls or
barks excessively, so as to disturb the sleep or peace of City inhabitants.
According to Section 4-26(b), a dog's owner or caretaker must immediately remove the dog's
droppings from any public right-of-way, including sidewalks or swales; any public park, school grounds
or other public property; and any private property not belonging to the owner of the animal.
According to Section 16-127(a), no animals, livestock or poultry of any kind may be raised, bred or kept
on any lot less than five acres in size. The only exceptions are dogs, cats and other common household
animals, which may be kept as long as they are not bred or maintained for commercial purposes and
don't exceed three in number.
According to Section 4-50(a), owners of pit bull dogs must register their dogs with Code Enforcement.
This registration shall include the name, address and phone number of the dog's owner; the address
where the dog is kept (if different from the owner's address); and a complete identification of the dog,
including the dog's sex, color and any other distinguishing characteristics; and proof of rabies
vaccination.
12. Dwelling Conditions
According to Section 17-18(2), every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall maintain that dwelling
and its premises - including the yard, lawn, driveway, etc. - in a clean and sanitary condition.
According to Section 17-18(3), every owner of a building containing three or more dwelling units is
responsible for maintaining in a clean and sanitary condition the shared or public areas of the dwelling
and its premises.
13. Graffiti
According to Section 9-36(c)(5), it is unlawful for the owner of any private property to permit graffiti or
other inscribed materials to remain as to be capable of being viewed by a person utilizing any public
right-of-way within the City. Any such graffiti must be removed within 72 hours of its appearance.
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