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Hollywood reviews Code Compliance numbers, adds officers and plans automation push
Summary
Director Jevon Douglas told the commission the code division has expanded coverage, increased vacation‑rental inspections and plans to move to a new case management system; commissioners asked for faster pickup of spray‑painted illegal‑dumping piles and better outreach to landlords and residents.
Jevon Douglas, director of Parking and Code Compliance, presented an update Jan. 15 on staffing, enforcement and next steps for the city’s Code Compliance Division.
Douglas said the division now has 38 employees across administration and operations, divides the city into 14 enforcement zones and recently added officers to the beach and downtown. He told commissioners the unit handled more than 18,600 notices of violation in fiscal 2024 and increased vacation‑rental inspections and animal control calls year over year.
“To get started the mission and purpose of Code Compliance is to promote, protect, improve the health, safety, and welfare of our community,” Douglas said, summarizing the division’s objectives.
Key takeaways
- Staffing and coverage: The division has 38 staff total and at least two officers assigned to each commissioner district; an additional officer was added for downtown/beach coverage and staff plan a new position along the 441 corridor.
- Enforcement activity: Fiscal year totals Douglas cited were about 17,066 notices of violation in FY22, 20,437 in FY23 and 18,603 in FY24. Top FY24 violations included garbage, property‑standards, unpermitted work and lawn parking.
- Specialized units and outcomes: The vacation‑rental inspector workload increased to roughly 1,472 inspections in FY24; complaints (Granicus calls) decreased by about 21% over the same period. Animal control cases rose to 958 in FY24 (up ~56% since FY22).
- Operations and next steps: Douglas said the department will transition from the current case management system (BCLA) to Accela, launch a new lien‑reduction program, expand contractor resources for property abatement, improve sanitation education and pilot mobile surveillance cameras to deter illegal dumping. The division also expanded special magistrate hearings and is training officers through a Florida Institute of Government program.
Commissioner questions and follow‑ups
Commissioners pressed for faster removal of spray‑painted, tagged illegal‑dump piles; Douglas said officers issue a 24‑hour notice to property owners and, if debris is not removed, the city will abate and bill the property owner, typically within 24–48 hours. Commissioners asked staff to speed that timing and to provide more proactive, route‑based inspections rather than purely complaint‑driven responses.
Council members also asked for a report on chronic foreclosed or vacant properties with repeated violations and suggestions for stronger enforcement options, including possible amnesty programs or targeted foreclosure/remedy strategies. City attorney staff noted legal and fiscal complexities for large foreclosure efforts and indicated staff will return with structured options.
Context and next steps
Douglas closed by thanking the officers and said code will prioritize training, customer service, case management automation and public education on sanitation and proper disposal.
The commission asked staff to return with details on accelerated pickup timelines for spray‑painted piles, a list of chronic non‑compliant properties and options to increase communications to residents about sanitation schedules.
