Broward County, FL Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing article
- Minimum Housing Code, Ch. 5 Art. IV
- Unsafe standard
- FBC Sec. 116.2 conditions (Sec. 5-59)
- Enforcer
- Housing and Urban Planning Division
- Emergency power
- Vacate order plus county repair, liened
- Scope
- Countywide unless a city has own code
Summary
Broward's Minimum Housing Code lets the county order emergency vacate action and perform repairs itself on any dwelling or structure meeting the Florida Building Code's unsafe-structure standard, then bills the owner through a property lien.
Pursuant to Subsection 116.5 of the Florida Building Code, whenever the building official determines that an emergency exists that requires immediate action in order to protect the public health, safety, or welfare, the building official may order the occupants to vacate; temporarily close for use or occupancy the rights of way thereto, sidewalks, streets, or adjacent buildings or nearby area; institute such other necessary temporary safeguards as deemed necessary under the circumstances; and employ the necessary labor and materials to perform the required work as expeditiously as possible.(b)Costs incurred in the performance of such emergency work shall be paid by the appropriate governmental authority and, upon the recording in the public records of Broward County of a certificate executed by the Building Official, certifying the amount expended and why expended, the same shall become a lien against the property. (Ord. No. 76-55, § 17, 10-12-76; Ord. No. 2010-09, § 1, 2-9-10; Ord. No. 2013-44, § 1, 12-10-13)
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
The Minimum Housing Code (Chapter 5, Article IV) deems a dwelling or structure 'unsafe' whenever it meets any condition in Florida Building Code Section 116.2 (Sec. 5-59). The Housing and Urban Planning Division inspects and, for ordinary violations, issues a notice of violation and order to show cause with a set correction deadline before a hearing officer (Sec. 5-64). Where the building official finds an emergency threatening public health, safety, or welfare, occupants can be ordered to vacate and the county may perform the required work itself, with costs certified and recorded as a lien against the property (Sec. 5-68). The article applies countywide except where a municipality has adopted its own minimum housing code (Sec. 5-54(a)).
Violations & Fines
Occupying or letting an unsafe structure, refusing entry under a lawful inspection warrant, or ignoring a notice of violation exposes the owner to code-enforcement penalties under Sec. 5-72 (each day a separate offense) plus lien-recorded emergency repair costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood?
What can Broward do to a building declared unsafe?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida property maintenance overview
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