Broward County, FL Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Housing and Urban Planning Division
- Entry requires
- consent or inspection warrant
- Reschedule window
- 10 days after refusal
- Warrant statute
- Fla. Stat. §§ 933.20-933.30
- Owner-occupied homes
- exempt from that warrant statute
Summary
Broward's Housing and Urban Planning Division may inspect dwellings under the Minimum Housing Code, but inspectors need occupant consent or a court warrant to enter absent an emergency, per Code Sec. 5-63.
The enforcing agency is hereby authorized and empowered to make inspections of dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses, dormitory-type sleeping accommodations, and all premises adjacent to such structures, including vacant lots, in order to determine the physical condition of said premises and to ensure compliance with the minimum standards established by this article.(b)Except as provided in Section (c) for owner-occupied residences, the inspecting officers of the enforcing agency are hereby authorized to enter, examine, and survey ("inspect") all structures and premises, at reasonable hours, or at such other time as may be necessary in an emergency, to ensure compliance with the minimum standards established by this article. Except in emergencies endangering the public health, general welfare, or life safety, the inspecting officers of the enforcing agency shall enter a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit, dormitory-type sleeping accommodation, or premises only upon the prior or contemporaneous consent of the person lawfully in occupancy thereof or the person having legal right of possession thereof, or with a court order, inspection warrant, or in accordance with the provisions of this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Under Code of Broward County Sec. 5-63, enforcing officers may inspect dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses and adjacent premises to check compliance with minimum housing standards. Except in emergencies threatening public health or life safety, an officer must get the occupant's prior or contemporaneous consent, or a court order or inspection warrant, before entering. If an occupant refuses consent, the county must offer a reschedule within 10 days; a second refusal gives the county probable cause to seek an inspection warrant under Fla. Stat. §§ 933.20-933.30 from county or circuit court. Owner-occupied family residences are exempt from those warrant statutes. Inspecting officers must show official identification at every visit. This article applies countywide except inside a municipality that has adopted its own minimum housing code, where the municipality enforces instead (Sec. 5-54(a)).
Violations & Fines
Refusing entry after the 10-day reschedule offer lets the county seek a court inspection warrant; defying a served inspection warrant is itself a Minimum Housing Code violation subject to the penalties in Sec. 5-72.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Broward inspector enter my home without asking?
What happens if I refuse an inspection?
Does this rule apply inside Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.