Margate, FL Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)

Section 33-29 of the Margate Code is the general nuisance rule. A nuisance is any condition or use of premises or building exteriors that is detrimental to the property of others or tends to cause substantial diminution in the value of other property in the neighborhood. The listed examples are junk, trash, debris or construction materials not being actively used for construction, and abandoned, discarded or unused objects such as automobiles, boats, trucks, buses, furniture, stoves, refrigerators, freezers, trailers, cans or containers. Any property maintained contrary to a city ordinance or state statute is also a nuisance. Subsection (b) bars anyone owning, leasing, occupying or in charge of a dwelling, commercial, public or industrial property from maintaining one.

Subsection (c) gives partially dismantled, wrecked, junked or nonoperating vehicles, boats and trailers 48 hours before they violate the code, unless stored inside a completely enclosed structure or a designated storage area. That area must be in a B-3 or M-1 district behind a seven-foot stuccoed concrete block wall and outside any required setback. Under subsection (d), a neighbor who suffers special damage can sue to enjoin the violation.

Section 1-8(b) lists the citation categories code officers use: animal nuisance, building code, county ordinances, fire code, health hazard, landscaping, licensing, litter and debris, nuisance, recycling, safety hazard, signs and advertising, vehicles, commercial vehicles and parking. First-offense fines run $25 for nuisance, landscaping and recycling, $50 for litter and health hazard, $75 for building code, and $100 for licensing. Disabled parking is a flat $250, and parking within 15 feet of a hydrant is $50. Tree abuse costs $150 per incident. Contested citations go to the city's code enforcement special magistrate, who must be a Florida Bar member of at least five years.