Monica Daigle, Planning, Zoning, and Building Director

Planning, Zoning and Building Forms | Chapter 157 Subdivision Regulations | Chapter 158 Zoning Code

Code Enforcement The Code Enforcement Officer is responsible for identifying, investigating and enforcing the Town’s Ordinances and the State’s Contractor Licensing Laws. The Code Enforcement Officer identifies violations and acts on complaints, investigating to establish if a violation exists. The Code Enforcement Officer strives to gain voluntary compliance though a process of notification and education. When voluntary compliance is not achieved the cases are forwarded to the Code Enforcement Board. The Board conducts a hearing and makes a determination on the case based on the evidence presented at the hearing. The Board also has the ability to levy fines.

Sign Permits

The Town has adopted a sign ordinance to regulate the number, size, colors and location of signs. The Code Enforcement Officer is responsible for the enforcement of the Town’s Sign Code. The issuance of required Sign Permits are through the Code Enforcement Officer.

Frequently Asked Code Enforcement Questions

• Do I need a permit to put up a sign?

• How do I get a sign permit and how much does it cost?

• What happens if I put a sign up without a Sign Permit?

• Why signs removed from the right-of-way?

• What do I do if I notice that my neighbor’s grass is not being cut or the property is not being properly maintained?

• Why does the final inspection matter?

• What is required to finalize my permit with the Town?

• What can happen if I do not get the final inspection and my permit is revoked?

• If I do not see a building permit posted, how can I tell if my neighbor has one?

• Why would my contractor ask me to pull a permit for the work that he will be doing?

• My contractor’s business card states that he is, “LICENSED & INSURED” what does that mean?

• What is an Business Tax Receipt license?

• I was issued a “Notice of Violation”, but I did not take corrective action by the deadline. What can happen?

• How can I contact the Code Enforcement Officer?

 

Do I need a permit to put up a sign?

Yes, Chapter 156, of the Town Code, requires a permit for all signs.

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How do I get a sign permit and how much does it cost?

Sign permits are issued at the Planning, Zoning and Building Department. A Sign Permit application can be obtained by contacting the Planning, Zoning and Building Department or may obtained online. The fee for a Sign Permit is $15.00.

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What happens if I put a sign up without a Sign Permit?

If a sign is placed without an approved Sign Permit, the sign will be removed and fines could be assessed.

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Why signs removed from the right-of-way?

It is a violation of the Town Code to place a sign in the right-of-way, as they may obstruct visibility of drivers. The right-of-way is typically the area from the road to the utility line. Along Gulf of Mexico Drive the grassy area between the sidewalk and the road is considered the right-of-way.

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What do I do if I notice that my neighbor’s grass is not being cut or the property is not being properly maintained?

Contact the Code Enforcement Officer at 941/361-6411 extension 280, and it will be investigated.

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Why does the final inspection matter?

The final inspection is important for many reasons. The most important is it insures that the work was done correctly and to code.

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What is required to finalize my permit with the Town?

It is important for your safety to make sure all permits have passed final inspection. Prior to completing your project, it is important to verify with your contractor and the Building Division that it has passed final inspection. Florida law requires that after 6-months of no inspections or contact from the contractor the permits goes into a revoked status. When a permit is revoked additional fees are required to bring it back to an active status. Once brought back to an active status, inspections are scheduled and the work must pass the final inspection. This can be a problem for the homeowners if they are seasonal and have paid the contractors in full, prior to the final inspection. This becomes more of a problem if the work does not pass final inspection.

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What can happen if I do not get the final inspection and my permit is revoked?

A code enforcement case will be generated and a “Notice of Violation” will follow. You will be given the opportunity to ask for a final inspection. If this does not occur in the allowed time frame, the case will be turned over to the Code Enforcement Board, where additional fines and fees will be incurred.

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If I do not see a building permit posted, how can I tell if my neighbor has one?

You can call the Building Division to find out what permits have been approved for a given property. The Code Officer will check the record, and will conduct a site visit if a permit is not on record.

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Why would my contractor ask me to pull a permit for the work that he will be doing?

A contractor may request the owner to obtain a permit if he does not have a license that will allow him to pull permits. It is for your protection to hire only licensed contractors. The Code Enforcement Officer works through a coordinated effort with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to identify and eliminate unlicensed activity. You can verify a contractor’s license and learn more about unlicensed activity at by contacting the Code Enforcement Officer or at http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/os/communications_office/unlicensed_activity/index.shtml.

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My contractor’s business card states that he is, “LICENSED & INSURED” what does that mean?

A licensed contractor is required to have his license number on his business card. If a number is not listed on the card, my may have an occupational license and some required liability insurance, but not a contractors license, which is required to pull a permit.

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What is an Business Tax Receipt?

The Town Clerk’s Office issues Business Tax Receipt licenses. It is not a contractor’s license. Business Tax Receipt licenses are required to operate a business in the Town, including the rental of residential and tourism units. For more information regarding Business Tax Receipt licenses, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 941/316-1999.

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I was issued a “Notice of Violation”, but I did not take corrective action by the deadline. What can happen?

If the violation is not corrected within the time specified by the Code Enforcement Officer, or if it is a reoccurring violation, the case will be forwarded to the Code Enforcement Board. The Code Enforcement Board can levy fines up to $250.00 per day for each day the violation exists or up to $500.00 per day if the violation is a repeat violation as per Florida Statute Chapter 162.

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How can I contact the Code Enforcement Officer?

If you have questions about code enforcement or sign permits, please contact the Code Enforcement Officer at 941/361-6411 extension 280.

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