Satellite Beach, FL Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- City Code § 3-3, FBC Admin. Section 116
- Enforcing official
- Building official, Community Development
- Vacant unsecured structure
- Automatically deemed unsafe, Section 116.1
- Notice method
- Personal delivery, certified mail, or posting
- Last amended
- Ordinance No. 1247, March 6, 2024
Summary
Satellite Beach's local amendments to the Florida Building Code direct the building official to declare a structure unsafe when it has inadequate egress or ventilation, poses a fire hazard, involves illegal occupancy, or sits vacant and unsecured. Section 116 requires written notice ordering repair or demolition on a set deadline, enforced through Community Development.
Structures or existing equipment that are or hereafter become unsafe, insanitary or deficient because of inadequate means of egress facilities, inadequate light and ventilation, or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human life or the public welfare, or that involve illegal or improper occupancy or inadequate maintenance, shall be deemed an unsafe condition. Unsafe structures shall be taken down and removed or made safe, as the building official deems necessary and as provided for in this section. A vacant structure that is not secured against entry shall be deemed unsafe. ... If an unsafe condition is found, the building official shall serve on the owner, agent or person in control of the structure, a written notice that describes the condition deemed unsafe and specifies the required repairs or improvements to be made to abate the unsafe condition, or that requires the unsafe structure to be demolished within a stipulated time.
Full Breakdown
Satellite Beach adopted the Florida Building Code's administrative chapter with local amendments, and Section 116 is the city's unsafe-structure rule. 1, a structure is deemed unsafe if it has inadequate egress or ventilation, constitutes a fire hazard, is dangerous to human life or public welfare, or involves illegal occupancy or inadequate maintenance; a vacant structure that is not secured against entry is automatically deemed unsafe with no separate finding required. 2 documenting the occupancy and the nature of the condition. 3 requires a written notice to the owner, agent, or person in control describing the unsafe condition and specifying the repairs, improvements, or demolition needed within a stated deadline, and the owner must declare acceptance or rejection of the order's terms.
4 can be personal delivery, certified or registered mail to the owner's last known address, or, if mail is returned undelivered, posting a copy in a conspicuous place on the structure itself. 2 and the Florida Building Code, Existing Building. The chapter was last amended by Ordinance No. 1247 on March 6, 2024. Separately, general Code Enforcement procedures in Chapter 2, Article VIII, beginning at Section 2-301, give the city's code enforcement process authority over property-maintenance violations citywide.
Violations & Fines
A person who erects, alters, repairs, or occupies a building in violation of an unsafe-structure order commits an unlawful act under Section 114.1, and the building official can request the city attorney sue to restrain, correct, or abate the violation under Section 114.3. Continuing work after a stop-work order or unsafe-structure notice subjects the responsible party to penalties as prescribed by law under Sections 114.4 and 116.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building 'unsafe' under Satellite Beach's code?
How does the city notify an owner of an unsafe structure?
Can the city force demolition of a dangerous building?
What happens when repairs are made to restore an unsafe building?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Satellite Beach
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Satellite Beach to another location·View the Florida property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Property Blight in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Brevard County handle property blight.