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Council adopts revised code-enforcement rules to let magistrates amend orders, extend compliance deadlines

Tampa City Council · December 5, 2025

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Summary

Council approved a substitute ordinance revising Chapter 9 (code enforcement) that lets a special magistrate amend final orders to extend compliance deadlines so fines do not necessarily begin while owners seek relief. The change follows public complaints that continuing fines during lengthy resolution processes unfairly burdens property owners.

Tampa City Council adopted a substitute ordinance (Chapter 9) intended to clarify code-enforcement procedures and provide tools to avoid penalizing property owners while they seek remedial action.

Kamaria from the legal department outlined revisions that give the special magistrate authority to amend final orders and extend compliance deadlines so owners can seek hearings or additional time before daily fines begin to run. Several public commenters, including local attorneys and residents who had received liens, urged council to allow staff and magistrates to "stay" fines during protracted resolution processes; one speaker urged a process similar to county practice whereby fines can pause during active resolution.

Council members asked staff to clarify the line between daily fines and recorded liens, and staff explained that liens are recorded after noncompliance while daily fines stop running once compliance is achieved. Council debated whether removing council review over magistrate appointment was appropriate; staff confirmed magistrate authority is established in code or separate chapters and the ordinance specifically amends Chapter 9 provisions.

The ordinance passed on second reading with recorded votes and an explanation from the city council attorney that the resolution memorializes the retroactive effect of formalizing the magistrate authority.

Immediate impacts: The ordinance creates a formal administrative path for property owners to request deadline extensions and for special magistrates to amend orders accordingly; enforcement staff and legal will implement rule changes and update process guidance.