Report a Code Violation

code enforcement
The city of Clearwater investigates and fines violations of city code.

Please note: Per Florida Statute 162.21, any person who submits a code violation report must provide his or her name and address. We cannot investigate code violation claims without this information. If you believe a potential violation poses an imminent threat to public health, safety or welfare or imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources, you may make a report anonymously by calling (727) 562-4720.

Online

Step 1.Check if your issue is a Clearwater code violation

Code violations examples:

  • Overgrown yard or trash in yard
  • Cars, boats or inoperable vehicles parked in the yard
  • Illegal signage
  • Graffiti
  • Short-term rentals
  • Abandoned vehicles
  • Businesses causing a nuisance or operating illegally
  • watering during drought conditions

There are housing and neighborhood issues that are not handled by Code enforcement. For example:

  • Problem trees on public property
  • Potholes and other street and sidewalk issues
  • Non-violent crimes like drug dealing
  • Animal abuse
  • Disputes between landlords and tenants
  • Mold problems inside your home

If you have one of these issues, view the tab on the right-hand side and click on your corresponding issue.

Step 2.Report the violation online via Clearwater Connect

  • Choose what type of violation you are trying to report.
  • Either type in the address or drag and drop a pin onto the map of the location of the violation.
  • Add your name and address (this is required by the State of Florida).
  • You may add a contact phone number in case the code compliance inspector would like to get in touch with you and get more details about the violation. This is not required.
  • Add a description of the violation.
  • Add a photo if possible.
  • Click Submit

Go to Clearwater Connect

Step 3.We will send an inspector

We will send an inspector to the property you have reported. If there is a suspected violation, the inspector may try to make contact with someone at the property, leave a card or send instructions on how to correct it.

Step 4.What happens next?

If we do not receive a response from the property owner, a Notice of Violation will be mailed to the property and/or occupant giving them a specific amount of time to comply. Resolving a violation can take a long time. The city works with the property owner to help them fix the violation and our goal is to achieve voluntary compliance through education, communication and cooperation. If they need additional time, they are able to reach out to the inspector. However, eventually if a property doesn't comply, we assess daily fees. If the violation isn't corrected and the fees aren't paid, we put a lien on their property. 

You won't receive automatic updates on the case after reporting, but you can call for an update at (727) 562-4720. We can always tell you whether it has been resolved, if it has gone before the Code Board, or if a lien has been placed on the property. Because responsiveness of property owners and Municipal Code Enforcement Board timelines vary, we can't usually give you an estimate of how long the process will take.

Phone

Step 1.Check if your issue is a violation of the city of Clearwater code

Code violations examples:

  • Overgrown yard or trash in yard
  • Cars, boats or inoperable vehicles parked in the yard
  • Illegal signage
  • Graffiti
  • Short-term rentals
  • Abandoned vehicles
  • Businesses causing a nuisance or operating illegally
  • watering during drought conditions

There are housing and neighborhood issues that are not handled by Code enforcement. For example:

  • Problem trees on public property
  • Potholes and other street and sidewalk issues
  • Non-violent crimes like drug dealing
  • Animal abuse
  • Disputes between landlords and tenants
  • Mold problems inside your home

If you have one of these issues, view the tab on the right-hand side and click on your corresponding issue.

Step 2.Report the violation by calling us

Call (727) 562-4720 during the department’s customer service hours. Be prepared to give your name, address and a brief description of the potential violation.

Step 3.We will send an inspector

We will send an inspector to the property you have reported. If there is a suspected violation, the inspector may try to make contact with someone at the property, leave a card or send instructions on how to correct it.

Step 4.What happens next?

If we do not receive a response from the property owner, a Notice of Violation will be mailed to the property and/or occupant giving them a specific amount of time to comply. Resolving a violation can take a long time. The city works with the property owner to help them fix the violation and our goal is to achieve voluntary compliance through education, communication and cooperation. If they need additional time, they are able to reach out to the inspector. However, eventually if a property doesn't comply, we assess daily fees. If the violation isn't corrected and the fees aren't paid, we put a lien on their property. 

You won't receive automatic updates on the case after reporting, but you can call for an update at (727) 562-4720We can always tell you whether it has been resolved, if it has gone before the Code Board, or if a lien has been placed on the property. Because responsiveness of property owners and Municipal Code Enforcement Board timelines vary, we can't usually give you an estimate of how long the process will take.

Inoperative Vehicles - All vehicles must be operable (i.e., vehicle must run and have inflated tires) and display current registration or be kept in a garage. (Section 3-1503.B.6)

Overgrowth - Grass, weeds and undergrowth cannot be more than 12 inches high and cannot extend more than four inches over the sidewalk, curb and edge of pavement. (Sections 3-1503.B.7 & 8)

Debris - The accumulation of debris is not allowed anywhere on a property. Debris includes weeds, trash, garden trash, junk, untended growth of vegetation, undergrowth of dead or living vegetation, etc. (Sections 3-1503.B.5 and 7)

Signs - Signs cannot be placed on publicly owned land or easements or inside rights-of-way. This includes signs on utility poles, sidewalks, bridges, medians, etc. (Section 3-1804.M)

Outdoor Storage - The outdoor storage of all or part of any dismantled, partially dismantled, inoperative or discarded vehicles, RV, machinery, appliance, farm equipment, aircraft, construction equipment, personal watercraft, trailer, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, or scrap metal on any public or private property is prohibited. (Section 3-1503.B.6)

Grass Parking - One designated parking space may be located on the grass in the front yard provided it is parallel to the driveway and that access to the space is by way of the property’s driveway. If the designated parking space cannot be maintained as a grassy area then the parking area should be filled in with pavers, concrete, turf block or asphalt. Materials not permitted include crushed shell, mulch, millings or similar material. (Section 3-1407.A.4)

Boats/Trailers - Boats exceeding 20 feet in length and boat trailers exceeding 25 feet in length cannot be parked or stored in front of the residential structure building line and/or and in any right-of-way. Boats/trailers larger than that may be parked in a side or rear setback behind the front building line of the principal structure provided the vehicles are screened with a six-foot-high solid fence, wall or hedge. (Section 3-1407.A.2.a-f and Section 3-1407-A.3.a-e)

Property Maintenance - All buildings must be maintained in a secure and attractive manner. All defective structural and decorative elements of a building must be repaired or replaced. Exterior surfaces shall be free of mildew, rust, loose materials, etc. Patching, painting or resurfacing shall be accomplished to match the existing or adjacent surfaces as to materials, color, bond and joining. (Sections 3-1502.B, C & D)

Graffiti - Graffiti should immediately be removed / painted over. (Sections 3-1503.B.14 and 3-1504)

Watering Violations - Water restrictions frequently change depending on drought condition. Refer here for the most current watering restrictions. (Section 32.153)