Jacksonville Beach, FL Code Violation Reporting: Response Times (2026)

Section 19-3 sets the first deadline. After investigation shows a nuisance exists within the city, the building official and/or code enforcement officer prepares an estimate of the total cost and has a written notice served on the person owning, occupying, or having the care or custody of the premises. The notice must give twenty (20) days after service to remove, suppress, or abate. It also has to describe the condition in sufficient detail, state the legal description of the property, state the estimated total cost, and say what proportion of the cost the city would bear and what proportion falls on the owner or occupant.

Service is by hand delivery or certified mail, return receipt requested. If the owner, occupant or custodian cannot be found within the city after reasonable and diligent inquiry, the notice is posted in a conspicuous place on the premises and a copy is mailed to the last known address or the address in the official tax records.

Section 19-4 sets the response window. A person owning or occupying the property who objects must present the objections in writing to the building official or code enforcement officer within ten (10) days of delivery of the mailing or posting of the notice, and must request a hearing before the special magistrate. The hearing is held at the first regularly scheduled meeting following the request. Failure to request a hearing or to appear within the prescribed time is a waiver of the right to appeal. Hearing notices go out by certified mail or hand delivery at least fifteen (15) calendar days before the hearing, or by posting not less than ten (10) days before it.

Section 19-5 allows an appeal of a final order to the circuit court of Duval County within thirty (30) days of the date of execution of the order. Section 19-7 then requires the special magistrate to fix the actual cost within thirty (30) days after the city completes the work.