Guide to Code Compliance

Reporting a Possible Violation

There are two available options to report a code violation:

  • Use the City website’s – Our Citizen Connect Portal may be used to report a suspected code violation involving residential and commercial code violations. The City’s website can also be used to report Service Requests to deal with issues related to utilities and other city services.
  • Contact Code Compliance Division Directly – You may call the Code Compliance Division at (941) 263-6417, email us or send a letter to the address below. Be sure to give the street address and a brief description of the potential violation.

Code Violations - Who Handles What?

Code Compliance Division: Typically assigned to and handled by a code compliance officer:

  • Business operating without a tax receipt
  • Junk / trash rubbish, abandoned refrigerators / freezers, trash cans, construction materials
  • RVs / boats / campers / abandoned or inoperative vehicles
  • Illegal signs, lot overgrowth, graffiti, tree protection, obstruction or planting in right of way
  • Housing code exterior, wall and fence maintenance, exterior storage, driveways
  • Housing code interior, construction without a building permit
  • Vacation Rentals
  • Commercial activities and landscape maintenance in residential areas outside of permitted hours
  • Other miscellaneous activity against ordinances, usually building and zoning

Service Requests: Requests are routed to the Division that best handles them.

  • Homeless Concerns
  • Parking Lots
  • City Parks and Land, Landscaping, Mowing and Tree Maintenance
  • Potholes, Sidewalk and Street Repair
  • Traffic Signals, Crosswalks and Street Lights
  • Solid Waste Collection, Recycling, Yard Waste and Hazardous Waste
  • Hurricane and Storm Damage
  • Special Events
  • Sewer and Water Concerns

Police

  • Loud or Continuous Noise
  • Street Flooding
  • Large Gatherings, Disorderly Conduct, Public Intoxication, Public Urination
  • Illegal Use of Fireworks

Parking Division

  • Street parking, rights of way, driveway blockage

Other

  • Animal Services (wildlife and domestic animals) – Sarasota County (941) 861-9500
  • Birds, Fish and other endangered wildlife – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (888) 404-3922
  • Sea Turtles – Sarasota County (941) 861-9500 or Mote’s Stranding Investigation Program’s 24-hour hotline (888) 345-2335
  • Seabirds – Save our Seabirds (941) 388-3010
  • Dogs on Beaches – Sarasota County (941) 861-9500

Frequently Reported Code Violations

Abandoned or Foreclosed Properties
Code Compliance maintains a list of properties and conducts regular inspections to ensure compliance with ordinances and other maintenance requirements. For more information on registering and maintenance and other contact information see Foreclosed or Abandoned Properties.

Inoperable or Unlicensed
All vehicles must be operable (i.e., vehicle must run and have inflated tires) and properly licensed unless they are kept in a garage. (Section 16-50)

Abandoned Refrigerators / Freezers
Inoperable large appliances must be recycled or disposed of at a designated facility and should not be left on property or roadsides. (Section 21-126)

Building Permit
Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who proposes to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, repair, remove, convert or replace any required impact-resistant coverings, electrical, gas mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the Building Official and obtain the required permit. (Florida Building Code 2020 Edition 105.1)

Business Operating without a tax receipt
Businesses and licensed professionals operating within the City limits of Sarasota must pay a Local Business Tax. This includes anyone doing business out of their home if the home is located within the City limits. For more information call (941)263-6469, or email localbusinesstax@sarasotafl.gov

Commercial Vehicles and Commercial Trailers
Commercial vehicles and tractor trailers should not be parked in residential areas except as required in the performance of services. (Section VII-214)

Graffiti
Graffiti should immediately be removed / painted over. (Section 21-45) If the graffiti is on public property report using a Service Request.

Junk / Rubbish / Trash and Abandoned Articles
It is a violation to accumulate or store any junk, rubbish, trash or abandoned articles on any property within the city. Palm fronds, tree limbs and other debris either from trimming or storms should be cleared and prepared for collection. Yard or garden waste fully enclosed within a compost container and items designed for or commonly used are permitted. (Section 16-47)

Lot Overgrowth
It is a violation to allow excessive growth of weeds, grass, underbrush or other vegetation on any property which might be a fire hazard or serve as a breeding place for insects, rodents, snakes or other pests or vermin. This type of nuisance is detrimental to the general health, safety and welfare of the city and its inhabitants. Overgrown means it exceeds 10” high if there is a structure on the site or exceeds 12” high if it is a vacant lot. An owner is responsible to maintain trees, shrubs or other plantings on their property that extend into a public easement area in keeping with the character of the neighborhood and keep them from reaching a height or width which interferes with the movement of people or vehicles along any public right-of-way, including interference with visibility. (Section 16-49)

Placement of Trash / Recycling Containers
Trash and recycling containers shall not be placed at the curb or roadside any earlier than 5:00 p.m. of the day prior to regularly scheduled collection. All emptied containers shall be returned to proper storage on the premises of the owner no later than 8:00 a.m. on the day following the day of regularly scheduled collection. Trash and recycling containers shall be stored between collection days in side or rear yards and not front yards. Front yard shall mean the yard area extending from the front facade of any building on the zoning lot to the street, or a minimum distance of twenty (20) feet from the street, whichever is greater. (Section 16-34)

Posting on buildings, poles, trees, etc.
Posting any announcements, flyers or other advertising matter upon any permanent or temporary structure or building, pole or tree located in any street, park or other public way or place within the city is prohibited. (Section 21-179)

Recycling / Yard Waste
Residential users are required to accumulate recyclable materials in containers approved by the City and place them curbside on the day of the week designated for collection. Commercial users and multi-family dwellings must have a developed and approved plan for recycling for the property which is best suited to the site, building design and the residents. Commercial users must contract with a private hauler for the service. (Section 16-17) (Section 16-19) Residential users shall place segregated yard waste or yard trash in cans, bags, boxes, bundles or stacks and place same at the curb in front of the residential user's premises on the same day of the week designated for collection of recyclable materials. Commercial users must segregate yard waste or yard trash from any other matter. The segregated yard waste or yard trash shall be accumulated in a container approved by the city manager as adequate considering the anticipated volume of yard waste or yard trash to be accumulated. (Section 16-19)

Recreational Vehicle and Boat Parking
No recreational vehicle, motor home or accessory recreational vehicle shall be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping purposes. A recreational vehicle, motor home or accessory recreational vehicle may be parked or stored in a rear or side yard but not in a front yard, provided that such equipment may be parked anywhere on residential premises for no more than 24 hours during loading and unloading. (Section VI-102)

Signs
The following signs are prohibited in all zone districts: Obscenities; signs in rights-of-way; signs on public property; revolving signs; wind signs; signs on utility poles or trees, shrubs or plants; signs in setback areas; roof signs; buildings which constitute signs; and off-site signs. (Section VII-109)

Tree Protection
During the development of property, any person owning a legal interest in the real property under construction, the contractor who has been issued a tree removal permit and the contractor who has been issued a building permit shall be equally responsible for the erection of any and all barriers or protective guards necessary to protect any existing or installed trees from damage during construction in accordance with the tree protective barrier requirements and specifications. (Section VII-312)

Tree Removal
Removing or causing to be removed any tree or trees protected by this division located upon private or public property is prohibited unless a tree removal permit has been obtained from the director of neighborhood and development services. (Section VII-316)

Watering Violations
The City of Sarasota has adopted the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) water restrictions. Water restrictions frequently change depending on drought condition. (Section 37-107)

Codes and Ordinances

Sarasota's Charter, City and Zoning Codes are published at Municipal Code Corporation

Important Phone Numbers

  • Police Emergency: 911
  • Police Non-Emergency: 941-316-1199
  • Sarasota County Call Center: 941-861-5000
  • Sarasota County Animal Control: 941-861-9500
  • Street and Traffic Signals: 941-263-6450
  • Water/Sewer Emergencies: 941-263-6884
  • City Arborist: 941-263-6536
  • Building Permits: 941-263-6494
  • Development Services: 941-263-6253
  • Engineering: 941-263-6532
  • Local Business Tax Receipt: 941-263-6469
  • Office of Housing & Community Development: 941-263-OHCD | 941-263-6423
  • Parking Division: 941-263-6475
  • Zoning: 941-263-6432
  • City Auditor & Clerk: 941-263-6222
  • City Commission Office: 941-263-6412
  • City Manager Office: 941-263-6402
Back to top