Riviera Beach adopts civil citation process, council asks for safeguards for seniors and owners
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Summary
The council adopted ordinance 4297 to allow civil citations for listed code violations and approved a fee schedule by resolution 181‑25, prompting debate over liens, fines, and protections for senior and owner‑occupant residents.
Riviera Beach’s City Council adopted an ordinance and companion fee schedule on Dec. 3 that create a civil citation process for specified code violations and allow the city to collect penalties more rapidly.
Director of Development Services Clarence Sermons told the council the ordinance (No. 42‑97) gives code officers tools to pursue quicker compliance in targeted categories and clarifies the city’s ability to collect fines. The fee schedule was adopted by resolution 181‑25 so future adjustments can be made by resolution rather than amending the ordinance.
Councilmembers and residents pressed staff to protect vulnerable homeowners. Councilmember (name as in transcript) raised concerns that seniors and owner‑occupants could be confused about schedules and penalized; others described owner‑occupied homes on fixed incomes that could face liens and mounting fines that make improvements unaffordable. Sermons said the code compliance process emphasizes education first, then violations and magistrate review; staff also pointed to an existing grant fund to assist qualifying residents and said the ordinance includes a formula for fine reduction after a property is brought into compliance.
Speakers asked for two specific follow‑ups: a mechanism to waive liens on hardship grounds and a multiplier or stronger reductions for homesteaded/owner‑occupied properties. Sermons and staff said those are procedural or fee‑schedule matters that require additional noticed changes; they pledged to return with recommended language and process options and to ensure council has a role in any lien waivers or policy that changes the reduction formula.
During the public comment period, multiple residents recounted experiences with code enforcement they described as selective or punitive and urged more outreach, clarifications on the appeals process, and protections for seniors. The council acknowledged those concerns and asked staff to prepare recommended process changes for a future meeting.
The ordinance and fee schedule were adopted after discussion. The council emphasized that the stated goal of code compliance is remediation and neighborhood quality rather than revenue generation.