Palm Coast, FL Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Palm Coast property blight and nuisance standards are enforced under Chapter 15 (Buildings and Building Regulations), Article III (Property Maintenance Code) and Chapter 35 (Nuisances Offensive to the Morals and Public Health) of the Code of Ordinances. Key thresholds: (1) Grass, weeds, and underbrush may not exceed 10 inches in height on any property within the city limits — applies to both occupied and vacant lots; (2) Any material that could be considered a nuisance or threat to public health and safety may not accumulate on the property; (3) Junked, abandoned, or inoperable vehicles may not be stored outside on public or private property unless completely enclosed in a building or part of a properly licensed business; (4) Vehicles parked on private property must have a current Florida license plate, current registration, be operational, and be parked on an improved (paved) surface — parking on lawn/grass is prohibited under Chapter 44 (Traffic and Vehicles); (5) Tree limbs and hedges must not obstruct sidewalks, roadways, or sight triangles. Palm Coast Code Enforcement (386-986-3764) typically issues a courtesy notice when overgrowth or debris is first observed (often when grass/weeds reach the early growth stage), followed by a formal Notice of Violation with a compliance deadline (commonly 10–30 days). If the owner does not comply, the case is referred to the Code Enforcement Special Magistrate under Chapter 17 and FS Chapter 162 (Local Government Code Enforcement Boards Act). The Special Magistrate may impose fines of up to $250 per day for a first violation and up to $500 per day for a repeat violation under FS 162.09; irreparable or irreversible violations may be fined up to $5,000 per violation. Unpaid fines become a lien on the property. The city may also abate (a Palm Coast contractor cuts overgrowth, removes junk, or boards a structure) and add the cost to the lien. State preemption: FS 705.103 (Coleman Act) governs the notice and removal procedure for abandoned vehicles on public property; private-property vehicle abatement follows the standard Chapter 15 / FS 162 procedure.