Code Compliance FAQ

Yes, with the passage of Senate Bill 60, effective July 1, 2021, anonymous code compliance complaints may no longer be submitted and investigated (unless the code inspector has reason to believe that the violation presents an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare or imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources).

Note: If you leave your name, phone number or email address then the information and the report or request are considered public records and subject to disclosure under the Florida Public Records Act

Photos submitted to the Code Compliance Division will only be used as evidence if the complainant appears in person at the Code Compliance hearing and is sworn under oath. If you would like your photos used as evidence, please contact Code Compliance at 941-263-6417 for assistance.

If you called in a complaint and do not see any results, please call us at (941) 263-6417. Our staff will gladly check the status of your report or put you directly in touch with the assigned code inspector. If you used the Citizen Connect Portal you may review Existing Code Compliance Complaints or you may view all open or closed Submitted Case Records.

If there is a suspected violation an inspector will take various steps to make sure you are aware of the violation. They may leave their business card or an informational door hanger at your residence or place of business. If we do not receive a response from you, a notice of violation will be mailed to the property owner and/or occupant giving a specific amount of time to comply. If you need additional time to correct a violation you should contact the inspector. Our goal is to achieve voluntary compliance through education, communication and cooperation.

Inspectors will work with you to come into compliance with city codes. However, if you need additional assistance, there are a variety of alternative options and/or agencies available, including the city’s Office of Economic Development. For more information or questions, please contact them at (941) 263-6281.

Inspectors monitor their entire zone on a routine basis and may have observed your violation at that time. In addition, they respond to all complaints that are brought to our attention. If you feel we have missed a violation in your neighborhood, please feel free to report it. This program is not designed to be used as a selective enforcement tool or to be biased against any one citizen, group or business entity. Our focus is to be fair, consistent and impartial in our regulatory processes.

There are times when voluntary compliance is not achieved. When informal and formal efforts fail to get compliance, the Code Compliance Officer will initiate an appropriate progressive enforcement step. Depending on the violation, this might include a hearing before the Special Magistrate requiring the responsible party’s appearance. Fines may be levied.

Code Compliance is the prevention, detection, investigation and enforcement of violations of statutes or ordinances regulating public health, safety, and welfare, public works, business activities and consumer protection, building standards, land-use, or municipal affairs.

In the City of Sarasota a primary objective is to educate residents and businesses about City Codes and requirements. Most codes and ordinances apply to every property within the City. The purpose of the Code Compliance Department is to promote, protect and improve the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Sarasota through effective code compliance techniques.

Homeowner’s Associations are private organizations that are paid by designated neighborhoods to oversee their maintenance standards, as established by written Codes, Covenants and Restrictions also known as ‘deed restrictions’ for the properties within specific neighborhood. The neighborhoods were designed to be managed by a Homeowner’s Association. Homeowner’s Associations have the right to enforce and assess fines to members in accordance with the Home Owners Association’s Codes, Covenants and Restrictions (aka deed restrictions).

Typically as part of the purchase process, each property owner within these designated neighborhoods signs documents agreeing to the standards that have been established and will abide by any penalties assessed.

No public agency shall be responsible for enforcing any deed restrictions or restrictive covenants.

For common violations, Code Compliance will typically try to gain voluntarily compliance from either the resident of the property or the property owner. In the event the resident does not voluntarily comply, the Code Compliance Officer will notify the owner of the property as recorded with the Sarasota County Property Appraiser, with either a courtesy notice or a Notice of Violation. The property owner is ultimately responsible for compliance of the property.