Town Wants Properties Cleaned Up…Or Else.

6
618

Some Fort Myers Beach residents are growing increasingly frustrated that properties around their homes are still a mess 3 years after Hurricane Ian. The town hears those voices loud and clear and plans to become more aggressive in getting those property owners into compliance. 

The Town of Fort Myers Beach has outlined the enforcement process for unkept properties and the tools property owners need to know about to get into compliance:

Unkept Property Enforcement Steps

  1. Report or Identification – Property flagged by residents, inspectors, or Town of Fort Myers Beach Code enforcement Officers.
  2. Inspection – Conducted within 7–10 days by Town of Fort Myers Beach Code Enforcement Officer.
  3. Notice of Violation – Sent within 5 days; includes corrective actions and a reasonable time for compliance (generally 15–30 day deadline).
  4. Compliance Period – Owner contacts the Town of Fort Myers Beach Code Enforcement Division with Notice of Violation corrections or request for extension.
  5. Follow-Up Inspection – If resolved, the case is closed. If not, move to a hearing before the Special Magistrate for the possible imposition of fines and fees/costs. The Current Special Magistrate fee is $250.00, and costs of mailing will be requested from the Special Magistrate if a hearing is requested.
  6. Fines & Citations – Begin as ordered by the Special Magistrate at the hearing.
  7. Town Abatement – The Special Magistrate may direct the Town to abate the violation, including demolition; with the costs billed to the property owner.

 

Tools Used in the Enforcement Process

  • Code Enforcement Officers
  • Hearings before Special Magistrate
  • Abatement Policy – as ordered by the Special Magistrate
  • Lien Placement – as ordered by the Special Magistrate

 

6 COMMENTS

  1. My frustration level with unkempt properties is high. I have reported the same properties several times in the last three years and nothing has been done until about a month ago and only on one single property. We have properties listed at $500,000 or more with weeds up to 5 feet high. Where in the world do you see this? Anyone who wants to build must go through a rigorous permitting process and yet there is no code enforcement on the run down properties.

  2. The town needs to tighten up the code enforcement. In my city, nine inch tall grass triggers the city to mow & put the expense on the property’s tax bill.

    • Or else they’ll get really serious and tape a colored tag somewhere, which means you only have six more months until they get even more serious.

  4. Does anyone know if they plan on requiring home/land owners to remove dead trees? We have a neighbor who has 3 dead trees on their land. One is about 25 ft tall and was dead before Ian. Now, with each storm it leans more and more towards my home, fence, pool and gazebo. If it comes down it will damage all of those structures on my property. I have written letters and they fall on dead ears. Every town council member and the mayor have all been emailed as well as the owners. I guess it’s acceptable to leave dead trees and folliage. Sanibel took care of this problem right after Ian. But not here on FMB. It gives the rats and the iguana’s a place to live. smh

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here