Flagler County, FL Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Who determines unsafe status
- Chief Building Official under Sec. 8-89
- Placard language required
- Word "Condemned" posted on premises (Sec. 8-95)
- Demolition trigger
- 2+ years of stalled repairs, or unfit/dangerous finding
- Unpaid abatement cost
- Becomes a lien on the real estate
- Emergency utility authority
- Chief Building Official may order disconnection
- Geographic scope
- Unincorporated Flagler County only
Summary
Unincorporated Flagler County can condemn, placard and ultimately order the demolition of any building the Chief Building Official finds unsafe, unfit for human habitation or a hazard. Owners who fail to repair or demolish a condemned structure face county-performed demolition with the cost placed as a lien on the property.
An unsafe structure is one (1) that is found to be hazardous to the life, health, property or safety of the public or the occupants of the structure by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such structure contains unsafe equipment or is dangerous. ... Upon failure of the owner, owner's authorized agent or person responsible to comply with the notice provisions within the time given, the Chief Building Official shall post on the premises or on defective equipment a placard bearing the word "Condemned" and a statement of the penalties provided for occupying the premises, operating the equipment or removing the placard. ... When the Chief Building Official determines any structure is so old, dilapidated or has become so out of repair and is dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary and otherwise unfit for human habitation or occupancy, the Chief Building Official can order either of the following: ... The Chief Building Official is permitted to ... order the owner or owner's authorized agent to demolish and remove any such structure.
Full Breakdown
Division 8 of the county's Property Maintenance Code (Chapter 8, Article III) defines an unsafe structure as one hazardous to life, health, property or public safety, including buildings lacking fire safeguards, containing unsafe equipment, or unfit for human occupancy due to disrepair, unsanitary conditions, vermin infestation or lack of essential systems (Sec. 8-89). A structure can also be deemed hazardous where egress is unsafe, the building is neglected or abandoned so as to become an attractive nuisance, or it violates the Florida Building Code or Florida Fire Prevention Code to an extent presenting a substantial risk of fire or collapse.
If a structure is vacant and unfit for occupancy but not in danger of collapse, the Chief Building Official may post a condemnation placard and order it closed; if the owner fails to close it up, the county performs the work and charges the cost against the real estate as a lien (Sec. 8-90). The Chief Building Official can also disconnect utility service in an emergency where necessary to eliminate an immediate hazard. Where an owner fails to comply with a notice within the time given, the Chief Building Official posts a placard reading "Condemned" stating the penalties for occupying the premises, operating condemned equipment, or removing the placard (Sec.
8-95); occupying or letting anyone occupy a placarded structure exposes owners and occupants to code penalties (Sec. 8-96). Owners must abate unsafe conditions by repair, rehabilitation or demolition (Sec. 8-97). If cessation of repairs exceeds two years, or the structure remains dangerous and unfit, the Chief Building Official may order demolition and removal (Sec. 8-104); if the owner fails to comply within the prescribed time, the county demolishes the structure itself and charges the cost as a lien on the property (Sec. 8-106). This applies only to unincorporated Flagler County, not to Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Beverly Beach, Bunnell or Marineland.
Violations & Fines
Failing to comply with a notice of violation or compliance order under this division is enforceable through prosecution before the county's Special Magistrate, and the county may institute civil actions to restrain, correct or abate the condition (Sec. 8-85). Demolition and closure costs the county incurs become a lien against the real estate (Secs. 8-90, 8-106). Defacing or removing a condemnation placard without authorization, or occupying a placarded structure, subjects the responsible person to the code's penalties (Secs. 8-95, 8-96). Selling or transferring a property under an active compliance order without disclosing it to the buyer is also unlawful under Section 8-94.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building 'unsafe' under Flagler County's code?
Can the county demolish my building without my consent?
Does this apply to my property inside Palm Coast?
Can I sell a property with an active compliance order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Flagler County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Flagler County to another location·View the Florida property maintenance overview
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