Broward County, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Auto Repair on Residential Property (2026)
Key Facts
- Where mechanical repairs are allowed
- Inside a residential garage only
- Carport/open-air work allowed
- Tire, battery, spark plug, oil only
- Body work and painting
- Prohibited in any residential area
- First-violation fine
- $150.00 (repeat: $300.00)
- Applies where
- Unincorporated Broward only
Summary
Broward's zoning code confines vehicle repair on residential property to a garage, bars body work and painting outright, and caps carport or driveway work to tire, battery, spark plug, and oil changes.
(10)Repair and maintenance of vehicles.(a)Mechanical repairs to private passenger vehicles belonging to occupants of a dwelling shall be permitted inside a residential garage.(b)Only minor repairs limited to tire, battery, sparkplug, or oil replacement may be performed in a carport or in the open air.(c)No storage of parts or equipment shall be permitted at any time outside of a garage.(d)Auto body work and painting shall be prohibited in any residential area.
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
In unincorporated Broward County, Sec. 39-275(10) of the Zoning Code lets residents do mechanical repairs on their own vehicles only inside a residential garage. Work in a carport or in the open air is limited to minor jobs -- tires, batteries, spark plugs, or oil -- and no parts or equipment may be stored outside a garage at any time. Auto body work and painting are flatly prohibited in any residential area. Code Enforcement cites unauthorized residential auto repair under Sec. 39-275(10) using the civil penalty schedule at Sec. 8½-16. This chapter applies only in the unincorporated area (Sec. 39-2); Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs and Broward's 27 other municipalities enforce their own zoning codes instead.
Violations & Fines
First violation $150.00; repeat violation $300.00 civil penalty per Sec. 8½-16, Schedule of Civil Penalties, item (11) "Performing unauthorized auto repairs in a residential area (sec. 39-275(10))." Cited by a Broward County Code Enforcement inspector; contested before a Sec. 8½-12 hearing officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fix my own car in my driveway in unincorporated Broward County?
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 business licensing & operations overview
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