Winter Haven, FL Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Dangerous grounds
- 11 conditions listed in § 5-73 (IPMC § 108.1.5)
- Nuisance declaration
- Any code violation, § 106.3
- Owner notice
- Written demand for correction, reasonable deadline
- Unpaid abatement
- Becomes a special assessment lien on property
- Appeal
- To Code Enforcement Special Master
Summary
Winter Haven's Minimum Property Maintenance Standards let the Code Official declare a building 'dangerous' on eleven grounds, from fire and structural damage to unsanitary conditions, and treat any code violation as a public nuisance under Section 106.3. The city can order repairs, board up or close the structure, and bill or lien the owner for the cost.
106.3 Declaration of nuisance; demand for correction. A violation of any provision of this code is deemed to be a nuisance affecting the public health, safety and welfare, and accordingly, the Code Official is hereby authorized and empowered to notify, in writing, the owner or agent of such owner, of any building, structure or premises within the City, to make such repairs as may be required to abate the nuisance condition and bring such building, structure or premises into compliance. ... 108.1.5 Dangerous structure or premises. For the purpose of this code, any structure or premises that has any or all of the conditions or defects described below shall be considered dangerous. 1.Any door, aisle, passageway, stairway, exit or other means of egress that does not conform to the requirements for existing buildings identified in Chapter 553, Florida Statutes, the Florida Building Code, the Florida Fire Prevention Code or the Florida Life Safety Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 108).
Full Breakdown
5 lists eleven conditions that make a structure or premises 'dangerous' under the city's Minimum Property Maintenance Standards, including egress that does not meet code, fire, flood, wind or neglect damage that risks collapse, a building unsafe for its use, a dwelling made unsanitary or unfit for habitation by inadequate maintenance or systems, and a structure that has become an attractive nuisance to children, vagrants or criminals. 3 makes any violation of the code a declared nuisance affecting public health, safety and welfare: the Code Official must notify the owner in writing, attach a copy of the section, and set a reasonable deadline to abate the condition and bring the property into compliance.
If the owner fails to act, the Code Official can order the repair done and bill the owner; an unpaid bill becomes a recorded special assessment lien on the property that takes priority over most other liens. An owner can appeal to the Code Enforcement Special Master before the correction deadline expires. 6.
Violations & Fines
An unabated dangerous-structure violation lets the city perform the repair, closure or demolition itself and bill the owner; nonpayment within 30 days converts the bill into a recorded special assessment lien on the property, ranking ahead of most other liens, collectible like unpaid municipal taxes. Occupying a placarded, condemned structure is separately punishable under the Code's general penalty at Section 1-13, up to $500 per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building 'dangerous' under Winter Haven's code?
What happens if I don't fix a nuisance violation the city flags on my property?
Can I appeal a dangerous-structure or nuisance order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winter Haven
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How other cities in Polk County handle property blight.