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Seminole County staff propose Chapter 53 overhaul, recommend magistrate handle lien reductions and higher maximum fines
Summary
County staff recommended amendments to Chapter 53 to clarify roles, return lien‑reduction authority to the special magistrate/board, delegate certain operational authority to the county manager and raise statutory maximum fines; the board asked for more data and will revisit ordinance language Sept. 9.
County staff presented a package of proposed amendments to Seminole County Code Chapter 53 on Aug. 26 aimed at modernizing the county’s code enforcement process and improving operational efficiency.
The changes staff recommended would formally return lien‑reduction authority from the full Board of County Commissioners to the special magistrate or the code enforcement board, authorize the county manager to designate code enforcement officers, revise the citation process to reduce reliance on court proceedings, and update maximum fines to align with Florida law. "Right now, the maximum fine under county code is currently $250," Compliance Coordinator Mike Rhodes told commissioners, adding that state law permits counties to adopt higher maximums: "you could by adoption impose fines of up to $1,000 per day, $5,000 for repeat violations, and up to $15,000 for violations deemed to be irreparable or irreversible in nature."
Why it matters: staff said the changes are intended to restore the code enforcement function to a day‑to‑day county division…
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